Transfering Settings with Migration Assistant

Can anyone tell me what "settings" are transferred when using migration assistant to set up a MacBook Pro (by either migrating from another MacBook Pro or from a time machine backup)? It always asks if you want to transfer 1) applications, 2) documents, 3) settings
Here is the background:
1) Applications: I am setting up a new machine (OS 10.6.6) from an almost identical machine that I barely finished setting up (also OS 10.6.6). I had only a few programs installed but because of known transfer problems due to licensing issues (Office 2011, Adobe CS5) was advised by colleagues just to install my applications fresh on the new machine, which I did.
2) Documents: I would like to use migration assistant to copy all my documents, I don't see a problem with that and I was planning to do that next.
3) Settings: What I don't know is whether I should restore/migrate "settings". Are these things like my folder display preferences or power settings (which may have taken some time to get just the way I like and would like to replicate)? Are these settings that pertain to my applications, which may not link up with the newly installed (un-migrated) applications and then cause problems? Or are these things like internet settings, which I've already gotten in place and working for the new machine?
So the big question is: what "settings" are these and will they overwrite or interfere with anything that I already have set up on the new machine?

what "settings" are these and will they overwrite or interfere with anything that I already have set up on the new machine?
Using Migration Assistant, all of your settings will be transferred: system settings, application settings, even .ds_store files: your windows will all be in the same place as they are on your other machine; your custom icons will still be there, your file structures, your desktop picture, your passwords, pretty much everything.
If you use Migration Assistant on the initial setup, the account you transfer from your old machine will be the main admin account on the new machine. If you wait and use Migration Assistant after the initial setup, a new account will be created to contain the migrated data.

Similar Messages

Do I really need to avoid transferring apps with Migration Assistant?

I have a new MacBook Pro coming, will be transferring from a 17” PowerBook G4. I’ve been reading various threads here about using MA and I see two basic approaches:
1. Use MA to transfer everything but your applications, then install those manually. This is said to “avoid problems” going from a PowerPC computer to an Intel one.
2. Those who let MA move everything, then delete those apps that don’t run, and upgrade those that need it.
Maybe I've missed it but I've yet to find people having problems who moved their apps. I’ve got some haxies I know won’t run without being upgraded, but I think just about everything else I've got is as current as it gets (most of my apps are already running in Universal).
I want my new machine’s performance to be as fast as possible, so if using MA to move the apps will screw it up then I'll go through the hassle of manually installing them. But man, it’s something I'd sure like to avoid if possible.
Does anyone have any clear perspective and experience on this one way or the other? I’m not talking about hypothetical, theoretical concerns but has anyone moved their apps via MA and messed their system up? Is this a real risk or a remote, theoretical one?

Does that mean I'm not using MA for any of it?
Correct.
So would it be safe to move my entire library folder under my username except for the preferences subfolder?
In actual fact there are plenty of folders in the Library folder which you can skip altogether. If you carefully look in your Library folder many of them that aren't require will be rather apparent such as Caches.
What you might want to do is to copy the entrire Library folder to your desktop and pick and choose items you need as you need them.
I have no clue where things like address book entries are stored, so I'm assuming stuff like that is somewhere in my user structure.
Yes. Specifically your address book is located…
~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook
Mail is a combination of…
~/Library/Mail
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist
iCal is…
~/Library/Application Support/iCal
Safari…
~/Library/Safari
Keychain(s)…
~/Library/Keychains
Beyond that lot there's little else you're going to need out of the Library folder.

HT4889 I just transferred data using migration assistant from a macbook prop to a macbook. I am trying to log back into the user that was on the pro but is now on the macbook with the same password as before, and it says my password is incorrect.

I just transferred data using migration assistant from a macbook pro to a macbook. I am trying to log back into the user that was on the pro but is now on the macbook with the same password as before, and it says my password is incorrect?

Suggest you try the password for the Macbook, not the previous one.

Use new name with Migration Assistant?

I am getting a new dual core iMac and will transfer all my applications, files, and settings using Migration Assistant. I would like to use the same account name and admistrative password on my old computer for my new computer. However, I've heard this could cause problems.
Question: Should I pick a new account name and administrative password for the new computer when using Migration Assistant?

When you migrate your old account you cannot have an account of the same name already on the new computer. When you first setup the new computer create your first account using a different name. Then migrate your old account over. Log into the old account and delete the temporary account.
A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3 or G4 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers. These versions are not universal binaries and will not work on Intel-Macs. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the only current choice is USB Overdrive. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior (does not work), TechTool Pro (does not work), SuperDuper (newest release works), and Drive Genius (untested) may not work properly on Intel-Macs. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.

I am having problems with migration assistant (windows pc to Mac 2011) When I get to the 'Quit other applications' box and click continue, nothing happens. There are no other apps running - any ideas, please?

I am having probems with migration assistant. Trying to transfer data from a windows laptop to iMac 2011. It was working fine when I did the set-up yesterday, but it was going to take hours to transfer some videos so I quit the process with the intention of doing it again at a later stage. However today I find that everytime I get to the 'Quit other applications' box on the Mac and click 'continue', nothing happens. Have checked mission control and confirmed no other apps running. Tried several times with the same result every time. Migration Assistant running on my laptop with the 'Waiting for mac to connect' box displayed. Mac is connected to wi-fi OK as able to use Safari and access internet. Any ideas, please?

Thanks for your suggestions. Have managed to get Migration Assistant working but now have a new problem, i.e. where does it save the transferred files?!! Searched a few forums and it seems it saves it under your old username, or suchlike. Anyway I tried logging on as a new user using my old user name but there were only a handful of files there, couldn't locate the majority of stuff from my old laptop. Anyway I don't intend to go through any more hoops with MA - will just save the important stuff to an external drive and transfer it that way. Not impressed with MA at all. I thought it was supposed to be a user-friendly tool to simplify the transfer from pc to Mac - not my experience, I'm afraid!

HT4796 Help needed with Migration Assistant, can't find files?

I've just purchased my first Mac (macbook Pro 15in) so please be kind, I'm so clueless it's ridiculous! Using migration assistant I've transfered aprox 100GB of files from my PC which seemed to take about 2seconds, but have no idea where they are or how to access them. The files were mostly music but when I opened itunes there is nothing in my library. The rest of the stuff was pics, docs, email accounts but none of that seems to be there either.. From the few articles I've read I seem to have somehow created another user account which is labeled Guest User/Sharing only, but I can't seem to log in as that user to find the files.. What have I done?! HELP!!

Congratulations!
... Using migration assistant I've transfered aprox 100GB of files from my PC which seemed to take about 2seconds, but have no idea where they are or how to access them.
It sounds as though Migration Assistant did not do a thing. With Migration Assistant, 100 GB will take time, no matter how the two computers communicate it will be at least an hour. Probably more. I recommend you connect them both to a wired network and make sure the PC is really using it. Wireless will take a lot longer.
I suggest you read the following step by step. On your Windows PC, you will need to download Migration Assistant. That link and everything else you need to know is in this document: OS X Lion: About Windows Migration Assistant. Follow its instructions to the letter.
The "guest" user is a feature of OS X and will not contain your files. Don't concern yourself with it.

Pb with migration assistant

Hello,
I try to install a new Macbook Pro with Migration Assistant.
I connect the Ethernet cable between macbook pro Lion (Source) and macbook pro Lion (Target) and i start.
When i arrived on the screen Transfer Information to this Mac, i select "From another Mac" and i launch Migration assistant in the source.
The target view the source but source can't view target.
I have always "looking for another computer" and nothing.
Thanks for your help.

Hi,
Sorry for my mistake with Pb, I'm frenchman and it's the first time I write a post..And sorry if my english is not correct... If you understand me...it's perfect
So, in the Pondini's Setup New Mac,(thank you very munch for that) he wrote :
Usually, the best way is to use Setup Assistant, when you first start up your new Mac. It will set the new Mac up just like the old one: all configuration, settings, users and data, and all applications (except newer versions already installed).
I make that, but nothing.
So I select "Do not transfer the know", and when I created the user, I do not choose the same as the source, otherwise there are a problem with migration assistant. and after, I used Migration Assistant to install all applications, configurations...But I think it isn't normal.
Today, i will try to install a new Mac with Time Machine.
Thanks for your help

Transfer emails with migration assistant.

My boss asked me to transfer all his old email from old macpro to his new one. Do i have to set up his email account on iMal first before i transfer them with migration assistant? Or will that set up autmatically while transfering?

On the old Mac. User/Library/Mail. Copy the folder to the new Mac to the desktop. Then on the new Mac from the Finder menu hold down the option key and click on Go. Select Library. Drag the Mail folder from the Library to the trash (don't empty). drag the Mail folder from the old Mac into the Library. Now launch Mail and check to see that all the email is there. If all is well empty the trash.

Insufficient space for importing TM backup with migration assistant

First of all this is not for my main Mountain Lion installation on my Mac Pro, it is on a VM Ware Fusion virtual Mountain Lion installation that is running on my Mac Pro also running Mountain Lion. So this is really more a question dealing with VM Ware Fusion (or Parallels since I have the same issue with that as well) vs. a problem with Mountain Lion. Confused yet? I sure am....
I am trying to import a time machine backup of my previous Snow Leopard drive into my virtual machine. I did not want to import this into my new drive because I am starting fresh and trying to clean up and Snow Leopard had 10 years worth of crus I am trying to get rid of, but I would still like to have my old SL drive running within VM Ware to help with the transition. I have a Mac Pro with a dual monitor set up so I want it to run in my second monitor and very slowly over the next few weeks get all the files I want and need instead of just importing a bunch of useless crap.
Anyway, here is the problem I am having and cannot seem to get past this hurdle. When I open migration assistant inside VM Ware ML and choose my time machine backup of snow leopard everything works fine until it finishes calculating the size. I deselected all the files and folder I possibly can which leaves 209GB. Even with every single folder deselcted it still give an insufficient storage error I have already resized the VMware drive to 400GB which is more than enough. In my real machine under Finder>Get Info it shows it as 400GB, but within the virtual machine it is only showing the Mac HD to be 40GB which won't allow migration assistant to import the backup due to insuffient storage.
I have a Mac Pro with tons of disk space so I have plenty of free space to allocate but I have tried everything I can think of but came up blank. Sorry if my explanation was overly verbose or confusing but I wanted to give as much detail as possible. Haven't really fiddled with the settings in VM Ware in a while so I must be missing something.
So, how do you import files showing as larger than 40GB from a time machine backup with migration assistant without getting an error that there is not enough remaining space? And again, I have already resized the disk to 400GB that shows as 400GB on my real machine but only as 40GB inside the VM Ware Mac HD. I also have Parallels if that is easier to do what I am trying to accomplish.

I just solved the problem! And this is actually a pretty big deal because experts at the VM Ware Fusion website and many other forums told me it was impossible.
So here is the guide to running Mountain Lion in VM Ware Fusion or Parallels with a partition larger than 40GB and allows you to import an old user account from Tiger, Snow Leopard, Lion, etc..
1) Make sure to shut down Mountain Lion in VM
2) Under VM settings expand hard drive to whatever size you like
3) You will need either a disk image or an actual DVD of mountain lion, mount that in your VM and choose it as start up. After rebooting open disk utility and partition Mac HD. Instead of only showing the 40GB limit it shold now show the size you created from step 2. Close disk utility and install Mountain Lion as normal. Reboot and unmount disk image.
4) You now have a virtual Mountain Lion with whatever hard disk size you chose.
5) Open migration assistant and do your time machine back up as normal from previous systems.
The reason you might want to do this are many. In my case I wanted to have my old Snow Leopard user account open and running on my second monitor since I just did a fresh install on my Mac Pro. It is easy to import audio, photos, videos but there was a lot of other things I want to take my time bringinging over. There are also many cases where I needed to open up an app and view settings. Now I have my old machine essentially running at the same time as my new install side by side which is fantastic.

Backup will not restore with migration assistant.

This is long and complicated but here goes. Had a 10.5 machine PPC that was backing up to a time capsule. IMac blew out PS so was toast. Took it home and took another iMac 10.5 machine that had a bad HD. Put new HD into that machine and installed 10.6 and then ran migration assistandt from the old iMac HD drive from the unit with the bad PS. The restored iMac with the new HD was a perfect close of the older iMac and everything was perfect. Took to customer site and they were happy. Time machine started backing up again to the same time capsule as before. It created a new backup image on the time capsule with the EXACT SAME NAME as the older iMac had. I did not know that until a year later when the new hard drive in the rebuilt iMac failed. I took a newer iMac of the Intel variety with 10.7 on it to the customer site. I told migration assistant to restore from the time capsule users and data file. I di not want it to restgore programs since I knew the ones on the newer iMac where newer versions and probably not compatible. Restore seemed to go just fine. Users were all there and desktop looked the same as the older iMac with the dead hard drive. I had to install a printer driver but all appeared okay. Customer called the day later and said all files for pages and numbers and address book appeared a year old at the newest. See where this is going.
I went to the site and started looking at the backup files on the time capsule drive. Taht is when I noticed that two exact backup named files existed. So I started drilling down through them ( Not using time machine casues it only had 1 day history on it ) and looked at the dates of the files. Sure enough, one of the backup images had files that had all ended a year ago when the original iMac blew out the PS and the other backup file with an identical name had files much more current in the current month and year. Simple I said to myself. I just happended to pick the older file to restore from. So I renamed the older file so I could not get them confused. Double checked that the one with the current files was named correctly. Went to migration assistant again and ran it again. Completed just fine but sill no file less than a year old. NOw I am really puzzled so I tried a test of one simple file to see if I was wrong in my assumptions. The address book file was one of the files that was a year old. I went to the time caplsule and drilled down to the exact file that address book makes. I had already thrown the corresponding file away on the new machine so I copied the file from the exact same location on the time capslue back up to the same location on the new machine. I then fired up address book on the new machine and the address book worked perfectly with the new and updated and current records.
So now I am sure that the drive image that I have been playing with on the time capsule has the up to date backups. But migtration assistant will not move them to the new machine. It will take a very long time to move every pages and numbers files scattered around in various folders to do this manually. What is wrong with migration assistant that it will not work correctly.

I am not asking if there is anything on the card. I'm not worried about the backup or recovering all of my information. I'm asking if setting up the replacement phone as NEW will change anything at all when I use the OLD sim card.

What's the fastest way to transfer files with Migration Assistant?

I am trying to transfer everything from an iMac 21.5 over Ethernet with Migration Assistant and it is 20+ Hours estimated transfer time. Once I strt can I switch to Thunderbolt? Everything I've read states this is the fastest means.
Thanks!

Thanks. Through further investigation my old iMac does not have a Thunderbolt port so that's out of the question. I think it was going over wifi instead of Ethernet so I disabled my router and am now migrating from Time Machine via USB 2.0. Estimated around 3+ hours now.
Any idea how to get my old iMac out of migration mode?

What are "Settings" in Migration Assistant?

One of the choices that Migration Assistant offers to transfer is "Settings". What exactly are the "settings" that Migration Assistant will migrate?

The following was taken from an article on the web, located at the following link...
http://macs.about.com/od/leopard105/ss/migratevol_4.htm
Migration Assistant will offer to transfer computer settings from your previous version of OS X. The options are to transfer Network Settings, Time Zone, and Sharing Settings; these are the settings you were using for file sharing, web sharing, printer sharing, and remote access.

I need some help with Migration Assistant for transferring data

I would like to transfer selected items from my iMac (G4) to a new MacBook Pro using Migration Assistant, Can I selectively choose things to transfer? And are there any problems going from a G4 to an Intel-based machine? I'm mostly interested in transferring iPhoto photos and music from iTunes.

Migrating data other than your home folder may replace Intel components with PowerPC ones on the MacBook Pro, which will cause slow performance. Dragging over applications manually by restarting the old Mac with the T key held down and then placing them in the new Mac's Applications folder will work with many applications, but not all; any applications for which this doesn't work will need to be reinstalled.
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Finding Files Transferred with Migration Assistant

Hi there,
I used the Migration Assistant to move my settings, documents, programs, etc. from my iBook to my MBP. The assistant moved most everything from my iBook over, as I couldn't pick and choose which particular applications, documents, etc. that I wanted to migrate.
I'd like to go through my new laptop's drive and clean out the items that I didn't want transfered but were since I couldn't specify the files and apps I actually wanted to transfer.
Does the Migration Assistant group the files that it tranferred in 1 easy place? The only thing I saw was the System Folder (from Old Mac) directory. If there is not, is there a way to find those files and applications easily (ie some general flag that files that were transferred from Migration Assistan share that I could search for via Spotlight)?
Many thanks,
sarah

The moved documents, applications etc. are but in the same general place (directory, folder etc.) as the original. If images are moved from the User's Picture folder, they are put in the new User's Picture folder. The same is true for music, applications, documents etc.

Transfering an app with Migration Assistant

Hi,
I deleted an application and it's widget from my HDD, they were installed to my HDD using an installer. They are currently sitting in my FW external drive that is bootable and I want them back on my HDD. I would just use SuperDuper! to do an Erase and Install but I have new data and apps in my HDD that I don't want to lose.
If I used the Migration Assistant to transfer them, would it transfer everything to do with the app and the widget for them to work properly from my HDD?
Thanks.

Does anyone know if you can use Migration Assistant to transfer applications to a new Mac and have them work? I transferred all my info: Word and Excel work, but not Photoshop and Illustrator. When I open them it says "cannot open because of a shared library error...".

Transfering Settings with Migration Assistant

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