I'm not sure if this is the place for this post (I've searched a bit and read the backup/backup/backup post), but here's the situation:
I currently have an iMac (200 GB of 320 GB HDD used) with two external 1 TB HDDs (one with 460GB used and one empty). I'm switching to a computer with Windows 7 and I want to be sure of two things:
1. I move all personal files to an external HDD in a format that will allow relatively easy transfer to the new computer.
2. I erase all remaining personal information on the iMac HDD before it finds a new home. Especially saved passwords and stuff.
Here are the tricky bits:
1. Looking at the "Sage Advice for the New Mac switcher" post, I understand I may have complicated things a little. My iTunes music files are mostly on an external drive because they wouldn't fit on the internal drive. At some point in the past I wanted some files on the internal drive for more rapid access, so it looks like there are duplicates (I haven't gone through all, but I think/hope they're just duplicates). As a result, I see the files in location "/Volumes/External_Drive_1/iTunes Music/......" (460GB) but I also see 80 GB in "/users/(me)/music/iTunes". If I simply moved the files from the "/users/(me)" location to the "/Volumes/External_Drive_1" location would that basically be it, and it can be sorted out on the new system? Or do the files rely on some central function of iTunes to communicate all info (year, genre, artist, album, etc)? I'm hoping the new system can just look at all of it and say "Yep, this song goes here and that song goes there.".
2. I can't seem to figure out where OSX keeps my iPhoto files. If anyone knows, please give me a clue.
Of course, if there are other resources to find, just let me know. Or if I should just go to a Mac Store and have them sort it out, I guess that's okay, but I'd rather do it at home if possible.
Thanks in advance!
I currently have an iMac (200 GB of 320 GB HDD used) with two external 1 TB HDDs (one with 460GB used and one empty). I'm switching to a computer with Windows 7 and I want to be sure of two things:
1. I move all personal files to an external HDD in a format that will allow relatively easy transfer to the new computer.
2. I erase all remaining personal information on the iMac HDD before it finds a new home. Especially saved passwords and stuff.
Here are the tricky bits:
1. Looking at the "Sage Advice for the New Mac switcher" post, I understand I may have complicated things a little. My iTunes music files are mostly on an external drive because they wouldn't fit on the internal drive. At some point in the past I wanted some files on the internal drive for more rapid access, so it looks like there are duplicates (I haven't gone through all, but I think/hope they're just duplicates). As a result, I see the files in location "/Volumes/External_Drive_1/iTunes Music/......" (460GB) but I also see 80 GB in "/users/(me)/music/iTunes". If I simply moved the files from the "/users/(me)" location to the "/Volumes/External_Drive_1" location would that basically be it, and it can be sorted out on the new system? Or do the files rely on some central function of iTunes to communicate all info (year, genre, artist, album, etc)? I'm hoping the new system can just look at all of it and say "Yep, this song goes here and that song goes there.".
2. I can't seem to figure out where OSX keeps my iPhoto files. If anyone knows, please give me a clue.
Of course, if there are other resources to find, just let me know. Or if I should just go to a Mac Store and have them sort it out, I guess that's okay, but I'd rather do it at home if possible.
Thanks in advance!