Triggering migration assistant on an already-used computer?

Hi,
Is there any way to trigger the "transfer files from another computer" option on a computer that is not a fresh install?
Here's the situation: I have a slightly flaky older mac ("Mac A") that is my day-to-day computer, and a newer mac ("Mac B") that I haven't been using very much. Basically, I'd like to "move in" to Mac B and transfer all of my files/settings/programs/etc from A to B. I know that during the first boot after a fresh OS X installation, you are prompted with a dialog box asking if you'd like to transfer files from another computer or a time machine backup. Is there any way for me to trigger this dialog on Mac B without going through the pain/time of re-installing the operating system (and then downloading all of the patches to update the OS, etc. etc.)? I'm fine overwriting everything on Mac B.
(Note: Mac A is fully updated OS 10.5. Mac B is fully updated OS 10.6. I have a time machine backup of A, or a firewire cable.)
Thanks!

The Migration Assistant is located in the Utility Folder in your Applications. I'm sure it can be used at any time. You will probably need to use a firewire cable to connect the two machines.

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I have just used migration assistant to import photos (using an ethernet cable) from my PC. It has worked but they have gone into a new user on my MacPro. How can I merge them into the one user account.

I have just used migration assistant to import photos (using an ethernet cable) from my PC. It has worked but they have gone into a new user on my MacPro. How can I merge them into the one user account.

How many pictures (or how many bytes) are we talking? Now that the pictures are imported one way to cross users is to use a removable drive (although large volumes of files preclude this).
The other is to login as the user where the pictures are, then copy them into the public drop box of the user where you want the picture.
The arrow is showing (in ths example) copy files from the Pictures folder for my user to the guest user accounts public dropbox. When you do this you may have to authenticate and you won't be able to see the results of the copy until you log in as the other user.
All users are in the folder "/Users/"

PC migration assistant stalls At "inspecting your computer".

PC migration assistant stalls At "inspecting your computer". PC is Vista64 Mac is latest lion up to date.

My computers happened the same too. I left the computers for more than 12 hour and did not progress to anything. It only said. "inspecting your computer".

HT4796 I started Migration Assistant and then my old computer spontaneously restarted. I am back in Migration Assistant but my [new] iMac is still waiting for input from my old computer, and my old computer is waiting for the iMac to connect. What do I

I have a new iMac. I'm using Migration Assistant to transfer files. My old computer spontaneously shut down. I restarted it and am trying to use Migration Asst again, but each computer is waiting on input from the other one. What do I do?

Let me see if I've gotten this right! You want to remove an account from BOTH machines? Do this for your new machine first, then for the other.
Click the Apple logo on the top left of the screen, System Preferences, Users and Groups (under Systems), unlock the lock in the window if its locked (you need to know the password), select the user that you wish to remove, and click the - sign next to the + sign for Login options. A window will pop up with some options. Select Delete this user and securely, and click 'Delete user'.
After this, do an update from the App Store.
Thats all there is to it.
For the other machine repeat the process except for one thing. Before you delete the user in this case YOU, you will have to give Administrator priviledges to your son bu checking the box 'Allow user to administer this computer'.
Do NOT do anything from Finder ... if you dont know how to fix the consequences of the problems caused.
There is no need to unauthorize your iTunes account on your new machine. Do it on the old machine though.

Migration Assistant won't recognize old computer

Hi everyone!
I recently purchased a new MBP 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, running 10.8.3 now. I'm trying to use migration assistant do transfer my files from a MBP 2.8 GHz Interl Core 2 Duo (running 10.8.3 as well) via firewire. I've puchased a thunderbolt to firewire adapter since the new MBP is not support firewire port anymore. However, the two computer was recognized when I was using wireless transfer but not the firewire connection. The wireless transfer was estimated over 80 hrs to transfer the files. After talking with Apple Support, I was informed that the firewire will be must faster. But the two computer won't recognize each other! What did I do wrong here? Please help!

I have the exact same problem. When setting up the new MacBook, I attached the firewire cable and restarted the PowerBook into target disk mode. The Firewire symbol appears on the screen but the MacBook gives the error message "There are no versions of MacOS X available on your old Mac". I wanted to test if it is a problem with the MacBook, and found that the MacBook will recognize and mount a portable firewire hard drive. Furthermore, when I tried attaching it to an intel iMac, it recognized it and was ready to import files from it. Therefore it seems that the problem is that the OS X 10.4.11 on the PowerBook is somehow 'invisible' to the MacBook migration assistant. I tried repairing permissions on the old PowerBook, but that didn't help. In the meantime I also ran software update on the MacBook, which brought it up to the very latest version of Leopard.
Could it be that the version of OS X needs to be the same on both machines? Next I am going to backup the PowerBook, then upgrade it to Leopard, then try again. I am surprised more people haven't had this problem, at least I have seen few postings about it.

Can't get migration assistant to find the other computer

Tried to use Migration Assistant, but its help is pretty skimpy. Regardless of options chosen, neither computer could find the other. Should both computers be on with MA, or first one then the other? Really couldn't find any protocol.
They do have different account names and passwords, is that the issue?
G5 to G5 connected by firewire, tried working from either end, old to new, new to old neither way does the other computer get "found".

After connecting the two computers by FireWire cable you must boot one (the old one) into Target Disk Mode. Then boot the other normally. The "old" computer's disk drive should appear on the "new" computer's Desktop. You may then us Migration Assistant to transfer from old to new.
Your new computer's user account that you created will need to have a different short name than the one you plan to import via MA as MA will not overwrite an existing account. If this is no longer feasible then consider moving your data manually.
Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac
From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
For FireFox:
/Home/Library/Applications Support/FireFox
/Home/Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox.plist
Credit goes Macjack for this information.

Migration assistant can't find my computer

I'm trying to transfer files from my MacBookPro (10.5.8) to my iMac (10.6.8) using an ethernet connection. I get Migration Assistant running and both the source and target computer just spin and spin and spin and never find eachother. I never get to the step where I enter the secret number code. What am I doing wrong? Sharing is ON on both computers...
HELP!

Hi...
Try this support article > Migration Assistant tips and tricks

Will migration assistant overwrite updates already made

I just switched drives from one using 10.4.11 to a newer one using 10.5.8 (I know that makes me a dinosaur, but it's a G5).
I forgot about migration assistant since I have been using carbon copy cloner to handle copying to new drives with the same OS.
I already imported iCal and Address Book files and Safari bookmarks successfully (using Export from the iCal menu and Safari menu and copying the cards to a separate file) . The problem occurred when I exported (according to instructions in Help) the iTunes 8.0.2 library and imported it into iTumes 10. Disaster! Half the music is missing, none of the playlists made it.
My question: Can I uses migration assistant at the juncture? Will it overwrite alrady imported files and information or make a huge duplicated mess?
Thanks.

Migration assistant will create a new user account, and transfer the files to it. You can omit some broad categories, but you can't "pick and choose" within those categories.
See the pink Migrating User Accounts box in Using Migration Assistant on Snow Leopard or Leopard for details.
That might be the way to go; if you exclude apps, settings, and most everything from that account except your Music folder (assuming that's where iTunes is), then delete (or rename) the damaged one, and copy the transferred version from that user account to where you want it.

When using ethernet cables to use Migration Assistant - how are they used?, When using ethernet cables to use Migration Assistant - how are they used?

How do you wire the ethernet cables? This is from a novice. Do they go through the router or directly between computers using Migration Assistant?

Directly from one Mac to the other.
How to use Migration Assistant:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4413?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1963
Troubleshooting Firewire target disk mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

Migration Assistant -- stuck at "Inspecting your computer" for more than 3 hours

I am in a process of setting up a new Mac Mini 2011.
I have completed the initial setup. Now I am trying to bring over the profiles & files with Migration Assistant from a Windows 7 system.
On the Mac side, it was able to find my Windows system, but it has been stuck at the "Inspecting Your Computer..." in "Select items to migrate" screen for more than 3 hours. Is this normal? Should I waiy a biy longer or start over?
TIA

My computers happened the same too. I left the computers for more than 12 hour and did not progress to anything. It only said. "inspecting your computer".

Migration Assistant - won't find other computer on network

Hello,
I have a brand new MacBook Air, and I am trying to use the Migration Assistant to transfer data from my old MacBook Pro via wireless network.
Both computers don't get any further than "looking for other computers" and they just sit there for ages looking but don't find anything. Both are connected to the same network.
Any suggestions?

Rather than connecting "on the same network", use Create Network from the airport menu icon and connect the two notebooks directly and thus get an "N" connection. Ensure that you turn on file sharing, turn off the firewalls on both computers on this singular network you have created. Then you should be able to migrate if you are the "owner" or administrator as set up on both computers. Follow the directions... post back if this does or does not work.

Transferring from one mac to another not using migration assistant I wish to use a EHD and only select what is transferred - in particular my settings etc. How do I go about it. thanks

Hi,
I have bought a new iMac but want to select specific data to transfer to the new one. I believe Migration assistant does all or nothing. I have an EHD and have done iTunes and iPhoto.
I also would wish to have a similar setup (all the passwords, screen savers, and users etc the same) but not mail and some others. Some, on my old machine like Time Machine and Mail were corrupted? and apple not been able to fix.
How do I go about it.
Thanks
Pat

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4413?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1963
Troubleshooting Firewire target disk mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

Migration Assistant can't see old computer

I just got a new MBP running Snow Leopard 10.6.3. I want to transfer the contents of my old computer, a Power Book G4 running 10.5.8. I have them connected with a Belkin Firewire 800/800 9 pin to 9 pin cable. When I launch the MA on the MBP, I get to the screen that says to restart the old mac holding down the T key until the Firewire symbol appears. I do that and the MA screen is still "waiting for the other Mac to restart". It doesn't see the old Mac. Any ideas as to why? Thanks.

Took the computer to the Apple store and like your car at the mechanic, it behaved perfectly. No problem with target disk, and the old volume mounted on the new desk top. All data migrated successfully. Thanks.

Permissions problem after using Migration Assistant - unable to copy files

I have a PowerBook G4 and 2 iMac G5 desktops - one iMac at home and one at work. I've had the iMac at home and the PowerBook for a while. The iMac at work is one I've just inherited from another user. Both are exactly the same model - 2Ghz iMac G5 (ambient light sensor). All 3 machines are running Mac OS X 10.4.6.
I decided to use Migration Assistant to transfer my Admin user account on the PowerBook to my work iMac G5, all of which worked great. So I now have an exact copy of the user folder from my PowerBook on my work iMac G5, and consequently the same combination of username/password.
When I mount the drive from my PowerBook on my work iMac via AFP I can copy files from the PowerBook to the iMac. But if I try to copy the file back to the PowerBook I receive the error "The operation cannot be completed because you do not have sufficient privileges for some of the items". The file does appear on the PowerBook, but it is 0K and therefore useless.
Worse, if I'm replacing a file on the PowerBook, I get the usual "An item named "blah" already exists in this location..." dialog. If I click Yes to replace the file it is wiped, but then the permission error pops up leaving me with a 0K file on the PowerBook and no original.
If I mount the work iMac drive on my PowerBook I see exactly the same issue - i.e. I can copy to the local machine from the mounted drive. But I cannot copy anything back without receiving the permissions error.
My home iMac G5 was not set up using migration assistant, but I do use exactly the same combination of username/password. It does not exhibit the same behaviour. I can mount the PowerBook drive on the home iMac and happily copy files back and forth with no permission errors at all. And the same if I mount the home iMac drive on the PowerBook - no problems.
So I'm guessing that this behaviour is a result of using Migration Assistant to create the user account on my work iMac. If I log into another account on my work iMac, mount the PowerBook drive and copy a file to the PowerBook it works fine. The problem only occurs in the account created by Migration Assistant.
Does anyone know how to resolve this, short of having to create a new user account on the work iMac and move all my files from one account to the other?
PowerBook 12" G4 867Mhz & 2 X iMac 20" G5 2Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi,
you need to adjust the permissions for the files on your harddrive.
I think you have serveral users in different groups that may result a permission conflict.
- Put or copy your files you want to to a new folder.
- Use this tool, its easy to use for ppl that are not familiar with unix permission setup over the terminal: http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/6440
- give all files recursively all permissions (for testing) (777, owner, group, others)
- then test the copy procedure
this should help
Regards Thorsten

Where is my document folder after using Migration Assistant?

I am setting up a new computer. First I repartitioned it to taste and filled a second partition with data. Then I fired up Migration Assistant to transfer my old computer to the new one, using a Time Machine backup. Both machines speak Lion. After this completed I noted the presence of all Apps, support files and various libraries - all accounted for. However my Documents folder is empty, except for one file, "About Stacks." How come?

Migration Assistant created a new user with the same name and password as the old one. Log in to that account and move the files to the Public folder. Then log into the account you want to use and copy the files from the other account's Public folder.

Triggering migration assistant on an already-used computer?

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