How do I transfer files from external drive to proper location on my new MacBook Pro?

beautybiz · beautybiz #1 (**permalink**)

03-12-2009, 10:04 PM

My MacBook's hard drive failed and luckily I had backed up all my data through a off site sever. They sent me a external drive with all my data on it. I now have a new MacBook Pro and don't know how to transfer the files and get them to the correct location. Can anyone help? Thanks so much, Colleen.

cwa107 · cwa107 #2 (**permalink**)

03-12-2009, 10:28 PM

Connect the external drive to the new machine. Assuming the online service backed up your entire drive, browse its contents and look for a folder called "Users". Within that folder should be your home folder (noted by your username on the old machine). Within that folder should be your pictures, music, video, etc. Simply drag and drop the needed data over to the internal drive on the new machines.

beautybiz · beautybiz #3 (**permalink**)

03-12-2009, 10:42 PM

First...thanks so much for your response...I'm a newbie so bear with me...So for instance, my photos in iPhoto, do I drag the entire blue folder that says my pictures from the external drive to the same my pictures blue folder in my new system? Simply dragging will format properly?

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 07:50 AM

There is no formatting to be done. Formatting is what you do to a new drive to make it usable.

Simply drag and drop the folders (or the contents of the folders) where you want them. Pictures folder as an example, drag the contents of the Pictures folder from the external and drop them onto the Pictures folder on the new machine.

skybolt · skybolt #5 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 10:00 AM

Or connect/mount the external to the new machine and use the app Migration Assistant to copy over needed files.

Or:

To copy over your iPhoto files, do this: iPhoto: How to move the iPhoto Library Folder to a new location

For iTunes, do this: iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Music folder

Obviously, for backup reasons (since you have a nice, new backup), don't delete the files from the external once you are through.

cwa107 · cwa107 #6 (**permalink**)

03-13-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skybolt

Or connect the two machines and use the app Migration Assistant to copy over needed files.

Excellent point. You should be able to use the Migration Assistant (again, assuming it's a FULL backup) to automatically copy over all of the important stuff, depending on the criteria you select within the program. Just connect the external drive, open Migration Assistant (Applications folder => Utilities) and then choose the external drive as the source.

cwa107 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,916 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	03-12-2009, 10:28 PM Connect the external drive to the new machine. Assuming the online service backed up your entire drive, browse its contents and look for a folder called "Users". Within that folder should be your home folder (noted by your username on the old machine). Within that folder should be your pictures, music, video, etc. Simply drag and drop the needed data over to the internal drive on the new machines. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
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bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,786 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	03-13-2009, 07:50 AM There is no formatting to be done. Formatting is what you do to a new drive to make it usable. Simply drag and drop the folders (or the contents of the folders) where you want them. Pictures folder as an example, drag the contents of the Pictures folder from the external and drop them onto the Pictures folder on the new machine. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
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skybolt #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 22, 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 681 Mac Specs: White 2010 MB, Core 2 Duo, 8g RAM, iPhone 4S, iPad Mini, Apple TV	03-13-2009, 10:00 AM Or connect/mount the external to the new machine and use the app Migration Assistant to copy over needed files. Or: To copy over your iPhoto files, do this: iPhoto: How to move the iPhoto Library Folder to a new location For iTunes, do this: iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Music folder Obviously, for backup reasons (since you have a nice, new backup), don't delete the files from the external once you are through. Mary Last edited by skybolt; 03-13-2009 at 10:11 AM.
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How do I transfer files from external drive to proper location on my new MacBook Pro?

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beautybiz #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 12, 2009 Posts: 2	03-12-2009, 10:04 PM My MacBook's hard drive failed and luckily I had backed up all my data through a off site sever. They sent me a external drive with all my data on it. I now have a new MacBook Pro and don't know how to transfer the files and get them to the correct location. Can anyone help? Thanks so much, Colleen.
	QUOTE Thanks

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