Transferring from WD external hard drive to new iMac.

I need to transfer data, mainly pictures, from a WD external hard drive to a new iMac. This all came from a dell PC that died. I am gathering that this may not be a simple process. Can anyone assist?

See these links
https://www.apple.com/support/macbasics/migration/

Similar Messages

  • How to get batch recognition of (!) on some tracks after moving library from external hard drive to new iMac (with terabyte hard drive)?

    I'm using Lion 10.7.2 and iTunes 10.5.2
    I have moved my iTunes music from an external hard drive onto my new iMac (with a terabyte hard drive) with music folder organized - when I try to play some tracks I get the iTunes can't locate warning and so I follow through and show iTunes the track - they are all in the music folder on my iMac hard drive - they all copied over and they all appear in the iTunes library list - so far as I can tell out of a 500 gigabyte music collection - but there are so many giving me the error - many other tracks function as they should too, some work others don't - So I'm looking for a way to get all the error tracks fixed in a batch correction way. Doing this individually with each track just isn't realistic.
    Can anyone suggest how I might fix this issue?
    Also, after I show iTunes the song location and it plays, I get a find files prompt that looks like it wants to find other files, but that just causes the process to jam and I have to force quit iTunes and then it doesn't remember what I last showed it next time I open iTunes.
    Also I'm trying to avoid the use of the consolidate function because that would copy a whole other set of music - not in iTunes - that is in the process of being edited (audio hijack pro and fission tools being used to put vinyl and tapes to mp3) But all that other music just means the consolodate function across my whole computer would be too much.

    Some details seem to be coming into focus - I have started scrolling through the main library list A to Z repairing tracks individually (there are thousands, but it's what works so far) - as I work through, it appears the problem occurred on tracks where album artist metadata was different than song artist metadata, predominantly. I'm not sure that is 100% the case in every instance, but that is what it's looking like. I don't why that happened, must be some technical glich I guess.
    Also, I tried running Doug's Scripts - the one titled, iTunes Track CPR v1.3 - it is supposed to fix exactly the kind of issue I'm having - I bet it would work for some people with a similar issue - but for my case it only identifies the 'de-linked' tracks and doesn't repair them - that is at least helpful as I scroll though to fix them - I can see exactly which tracks have the issue quickly after running that script - but iTunes doesn't remember that warning symbol after a log-out, so it's only worth running the script on a set of tracks I intend to review and fix in any given session at a time.
    If you are interested, Doug's free scripts can be found at
    http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=itunestrackcpr
    there are other interesting and useful iTunes scripts there too...
    also, unrelated to the issue I'm having, I found a lot of really useful and time saving metadata fixing free scripts at - hubi's iTunes scripts - the page isn't English, but the script download is easy to find -
    hubi's scripts work for batch selections of tracks - so if you import an album and find the metadata screwed up somehow, you can select the whole set of screwed up tags at once (even across a series of albums), run the easy to use script, and watch it all be fixed automatically while you sit back and relax...
    http://hubionmac.com/wordpress/category/softwareschmiede/applescripting/itunes/
    just for reference, here is a sampling of what hubi's scripts can do...
    there are other useful scripts out there - the tough part can be finding the one that helps you...
    01-(un)capitalizes
    01-(un)capitalizes
    This script changes.... THIS TEXT into This Text... or this text
    01-Delete spaces
    Sometimes invisible blanks are behind an artist name or album name...this script deletes these blanks behind or infront of the strings
    01-Delete x first-last chars. of Title
    A Name like "01--Ray Of Light" will be changed to "Ray Of Light" and the01 will be entered in the tracks tracknumber id3 field =)
    01-fix combined Artist-Title
    Sometimes Tracknames look like:
    "Madonna---Ray of Light" and in the artist field you see something like"Ripped by Me"... this script puts Madonna back to the right field... all youhave to do is to enter the right delimiter ("---" in this case)
    01-switch Artist<->Title...
    Switch ID3 field a with ID3 field b (not only Artist with Title any more =)!
    01-z_filename ->Title
    Sets the ID3 field Title to the track's filename)
    01-z_trackNr-Filename->ID3
    When a track's filename look like "01-Madonna-Ray of Light.mp3" andyou don't have the track's tracknumber stored in the ID3 Tag... this Scriptcan do this for your =)

  • Itunes doesn't sync music that was transferred from an external hard drive

    I transferred a song from an external hard drive onto itunes on my laptop. The song plays through itunes on my laptop after I've disconnected the external hard drive, but it won't sync the song to my iPhone. I have a lot of music on that ext. HD and I'd like to listen to it on my iPhone.

    Hi, Alex 58. 
    Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities. 
    Try opening iTunes with the external drive connected and sync the music over to the iPhone.  If all media is located on the external drive, iTunes will not sync the requested media to the device without the drive connected.  You may need to remove the sync music preference and reapply it for the media to transfer. 
    iTunes 11 for Windows: Set up syncing for iPod, iPhone, or iPad
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ph12313
    Cheers,
    Jason H. 

  • How do I import data from external hard drive onto new iMac?

    How do I import data from an external hard drive onto my new iMac?

    If you think about it logically if you want to move something from one place to another well do just exactly that
    Drag & Drop its as simple as that click on the file/folder keep it pressed down & move the file/folder to where you want it on your Mac
    If its photo's drag them onto the iPhoto icon on the dock if its music drag it onto the iTunes icon documents into guess what documents
    Hope this helps

  • Moving iTunes from external hard drive to new iMac

    I will be receiving a new iMac soon. Currently my iTunes is on an external hard drive.
    What are the steps I take to move the iTunes from my external hard drive to my new iMac's hard drive?

    The PC to MAC move complicates a few things, but this article seems to solve them.

  • How to load files from old external hard drive to new PC

    Copied files from old PC (Windows XP) to external hard drive. Purchased new PC (Windows 7). Paid technicians to transfer files from old PC to new PC. Some files were lost in the process.
    Please walk me through (step by step) on how to load spicific files from an external hard drive onto my new PC.
    Thanx, rp1

    Click anywhere on the open desktop so that the Finder menus are displayed at the top of the screen.
    Click Go > Network
    Double click the Time Capsule icon, then double click the icon representing the drive to mount it on the Mac's desktop. It is named "Data" unless you have changed it
    You can drag/drop files to the "Data" icon on the desktop
    235 GB is going to take forever if you try to do this using wireless. If at all possible, connect an Ethernet cable from your Mac to one of the LAN <-> ports on the Time Capsule.
    Even using Ethernet, you are probably looking at 10-12 hours for the file transfer.  All bets are off with wireless only, but a guess would be several days....or even more.

  • How do i copy my files from my external hard drive onto my imac

    how do i copy my files from my external hard drive onto my imac

    You should be able to 'migrate them' without having to do so during a reinstall, from an external drive. In some cases, you may be able to use TimeMachine software even if the drive had not been used as a backup.
    The usual way, though, is to drag & drop copy from one to another (volume or folder) you created in there and have open. Or drag an item on top of the icon of a hard disk drive when it is mounted on the desktop. I'm used to working with open folders and windows, because that works best; and then see if I want to change how things look inside their destination. This helps should I later want to burn them to a DVD and have it correct. And I want to know where they are.
    I had more links to some information about importing or migrating data into a Mac from an external, a week ago, but can't find them now. A few good links to pages, but I think I posted what I did find directly to answer someones question about it; and believe the info was in an Apple Support article about TimeMachine, near the lower part of the page with blue words with a disclosure triangle, so you could read more in that page. But I don't believe these two are correct in that TimeMachine (some versions) only allow wireless backup to a drive in a base station unit such as Apple sells, for this. The link I saw simply said how to work around not using the wireless stuff. Maybe it was a dated item, not in these?
    See a main general portal to TimeMachine support,
    here: http://www.apple.com/support/timemachine/
    Or basics that may not provide optional copy methods:
    Mac Basics - Time Machine backs up your mac:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1427
    Perhaps a search of Apple Support database (or even ASC discussions?) would yield ideas, and perhaps find what may work for the kind of files you want to copy, and where they can be found & used later. Are the files for specific applications? Or images, music, etc?
    Good luck & happy computing!
    edited.

  • Can I restore settings, apps and data from an external hard drive to new Macbook Pro?

    I recently lost my Macbook Pro to water damage.  It was about 3 years old and tuned for comfort.  Unfortunately, my most recent backup is at least 3 months old.  I purchased a new MacBook Pro and I'm wondering what my options are for migrating my settings, apps and data from the old hard drive to the new MacBook Pro?  I have a USB drive bay that I plan to attach to the new MBP to gain access to the old hard drive.  Someone suggested Migration Assistant but my research hasn't turned up any information about migrating data from an external drive.
    Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    THANKS!  I guess my research wasn't THAT thorough.   I booted with the external drive attached and setup immediately gave me the option to setup using Migration Assistant.  It was a little slow via USB (2+ hours) but it was nothing compared to the time it would have taken to do it manually.  My new 15" MBP looks exactly like my old 13" MBP.  AWESOME!!!
    Thanks again!

  • Can I copy music iTunes Music Folder from my external Hard drive to new PC?

    not sure if this is possible but I copied my folders (documents/music/itunes/itunes music folder) from my local hard drive from laptop to my external (for backing up purposes) and now i have a new computer. can i just simply copy/paste this folder to my new computer and open itunes and it will be there. i know it's probably too easy but was hoping someone could help me out???? thanks.

    You can by dragging them from itunes to your external drive this will copy them to it. Then do the opposite for from you drive to the new computer. Just make sure if you don't intend to keep the drive connected to your new computer. That you put copies of the songs in a folder on it before putting them on itunes or you have problems playing your songs.

  • Can I migrate from an external hard drive to new Macbook Pro?

    Can I migrate my Macbook 13" Aluminum Late model 2008 data from it's external hard drive to my new Macbook Pro?  I have a complete back up of my old Macbook on that drive, but there is no way to connect that to the new Macbook Pro (no firewire etc on old Macbook).
    Thanks for any help!

    Yes; if it's an USB drive, you can just plug it in, and there are adapters to connect a FireWire drive to a Thunderbolt port. You'll be given the option to migrate data from it when setting up the new computer or by launching the Migration Assistant in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder.
    (113054)

  • How to transfer my backed data from my external hard drive to new user

    I have backed up my profile using Time Machine onto an external hard drive. I have opened a new user name on the same iMac but have not been able to transfer my backed up profile to this new user name. I see that my Launchpad apps are there but cannot see my files. I thought that once I used Migration Assistant to do this, my iMac would look exactly the same as the original profile and have my files visible etc. My files are not here. What am I doing wrong? Have I missed out a step? Thank you!

    If you deleted the old user, try to inherit the backup.
    Inherit a Backup
    Inherit a Backup (2)
    If the old user is still there, log in as the older user and copy the file to the new user's Public/Dropbox. Do this at the hard drive level/Users so you can see both users.

  • How do I import photos from an external hard drive to my iMac please?

    I have hundred of photos on a hard drive and want to transfer them onto my new imac. How do I do this please? I am totally new to apple operating system, used windows for 15 years.....
    Thank you for any help received...

    Don't touch that one !
    I was hoping that in addition to that there should be another device listed, namely the USB External HD you've got plugged into the USB port. It should show up something like this:

  • How do I transfer files from my external hard drive to my iMac?

    I thought it would be as simple as plugging in to the USB port!

    There are no popups on the Mac except for the drive window in some cases, and the Migration Assistant can't transfer data to an existing user account. As previously stated, drag the files you want to transfer over manually.
    The drive should appear in the desktop or the sidebar of a Finder window. If it doesn't, check the Finder's preferences.
    (63009)

  • I threw out 24 time machine backups from an external hard drive into my desktop trash and now I can't empty my trash.

    I threw out 24 time machine backups from an external hard drive into my IMac desktop trash and now I can't empty my trash.

    Since you didn't mention what type of error message you were seeing, I'm going to guess on what is happening.
    I'm guessing that since you threw away Time Machine backups, that Time Machine is probably active on your Mac. There is a chance then that the files you tossed are marked as in use. You can't delete files that are in use.
    Try turning Time Machine off, then restart your Mac. Then try deleting them again.
    Once done, turn Time Machine back on.
    Tom

  • Transferring data from external hard drive to new replacement Macbook Pro...

    Hello,
    Apple have arranged to give me a replacement Macbook Pro due to faults with hardware on the one I am currently using. I will be going to pick up the replacement Macbook Pro tomorrow morning.
    As a complete novice I just wanted to check that I have backed up the data from my current laptop onto my Iomega external hard drive properly, as I am slightly nervous about losing all my work and not being able to transfer all my files onto my new Macbook Pro tomorrow.
    I did a back up using time machine earlier today which took quite a long time and seemed to go successfully. Is this the right thing to have done to save all data from my current laptop onto the external hard drive?
    Will transferring data from the external hard drive onto my new Macbook Pro be a simple task?
    Will I have to reinstall all my software such as Logic and Pro Tools? Also will my preferences and settings for music software be changed?
    I'd greatly appreciate any advice.
    Thanks,
    Deena

    Well it's like this.
    If your problem on the Mac didn't affect the software or the TimeMachine backup, then restoring from that using SetupAssistant (when you first set up a new Mac it will ask you to restore) should go fine.
    HOWEVER, if there are software issues on the Mac that also transferred to the TimeMachine drive, that will only transfer them back onto your new computer.
    You can't very easily just pick out the things you want to restore from TimeMachine with, it doesn't give that fine detail of control, and if it's really messed up, it might not restore anything at all.
    The golden rule of backups is to maintain two separate and easily accessible hardware copies of your data off the machine at all times.
    Since you don't know for sure if the TimeMachine restore is going to work as intended, and your only other source is going to disappear, I'd advise a additional backup of your Music, Documents, Pictures and Movie folders etc., to another regular external drive via regular drag and drop copy methods.
    The operating system and programs can all be reinstalled from fresh sources on the new machine, provided you have the AppleID and password, license codes for your programs, email passwords and any other necessary information to re-establish the license on the new machine.
    (In some cases licensed software HAS NOT transferred to a new machine with a TimeMachine restore and had to be reinstalled)
    Some times you have to contact the developer or "uninstall" the licensed program so it sends a signal to their servers that the program has been removed, else your license code may not work on the new machine.
    You might decide the new machine would be better off with a fresh install of your programs that you know are 100% compatible with Lion etc., leaving a lot of older stuff you installed over the years off the new machine, if you restore from TimeMachine, you don't have this option. You pretty much get all the crap along for the ride,
    If your new machine gets all crapped up, then restoring Lion is going to going to be a tough challenge, as you need a strong reliable Internet connection to download a fresh copy of Lion from Apple servers (no more disks). Once you do that, then somehow you have to use third party software ($$) to cherry pick your files out of TimeMachines trap. More headaches than you anticpated, and likely a charge by a specialist.
    So I'd advise another hard drive with a copy of just your files, just in case a crap-up occurs
    You can restore Lion yourself if it craps up, install programs from fresh sources as you know how to do, use the old license codes and then return your files manually exactly back into their same Music, Pictures, Documents, and Movies (etc, not Library) folders as before.
    The key to this manual method is to make sure to use the same user name as before, so all your file location data pathnames retained by program files like iTunes to where the songs are located on the drive, are matched. Once you open these programs and restablish the links in OS X, then you can move them around.
    Some tricks, if you use iPhoto, you can right click "show package contents" and inside is a folder with your Originals, copy that out and you can reimport your pictures into the new iPhoto Library on the new machine.
    So use TM if you dare, but prepared to do things manually is my opinion.
    TM restores have not been all that reliable or dependable, the more messed up your machine is, the worst the restore seems to be.
    Good Luck 

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