Migrating to ne iMac

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Is it possible to transfer/copy stuff from my ols iMac to my new iMac using cables rather than wi-fi?
 

chscag

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It is possible, however, the best way is to use the Migration Assistant. One word of caution though... do not create an account on the new iMac before you use the Migration Assistant. In order to do it and make sure everything gets transferred, make a full Time Machine backup first. Then attach the Time Machine drive to the new iMac and use that to Migrate everything. Old system files will not get transferred, only your apps, data, and user account.

Do not use WiFi as it is too slow and errors can occur.
 
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Thanks. Too late, account created and using wifi, as you say, very slow. I will leave it for a while but it seems as if it has frozen. Maybe start again using a cable.
 

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Too late, account created

Unfortunately, that will likely result in 2 different accounts on your Mac. That can be a real hassle to sort out. If this proves to be the case, as is likely, come back to us and we'll do our best to sort things out for you.

Ian
 
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Yes, that has happened. Although i don't have a problem with that, or should I?
 

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I prefer multiple user accounts on my macOS and winOS PC's. I usually set each machine up with an admin user account, and a standard user account. All the day to day stuff is done on the standard users account, and all maintenance/troubleshooting is done on the admin users account. However, if you created an account and then migrated all of your data from an old machine, that creates a whole new bunch of permissions issues.
 

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I know it comes as a shock to you, but our Admin chscag warned against this and I posted in #4 what the consequences would be and I've given you 3 websites where this is discussed with potential solutions.

The problem is, as Bob said in post #7, you now have major permissions issues. That is; your original account in your name recognised you as the "owner" of all your data. When you created a new user, even though in exactly the same name, it will not recognise you as the "owner" of all your data - that is - it will most probably not give you permission to open/view what was formerly your own data.

We shall do all we can to help. Read my Links first, see if any of that makes sense. Whatever, we can work this out, but what you did, unfortunately, created this problem.

Just for info, do you still have the original Time Machine backup because, at worst, we could wipe out your Mac's Drive, reinstall the new OS and the copy over the data/settings etc from from you Time Machine.

Don't give up. We are here to help.

Ian
 
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Migrating to new iMc

OK. This is what I did when I got my shiny new iMac. I did what it said on the tin, used migration assistant, but, it was taking a long time to do anything, I left it for a day and the bar was not moving, hence my first question on here, little realising that there was a better way to move my data from my old mac.

My Data has not been carried over to my new mac with my old account, just my email and contact details, would that be because I stopped it?

I can make a full Time Machine backup on an external drive, and do as chscag suggests, but I assume I need to get rid of the new account first?
Reading the links posted by Ian it seems that I can 'turn the new account into an admin account, and transfer all your data into this account, then delete the initial admin account.'
That may be the best option for me but how do I do that?
 
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I see now that my old account is not showing on my new machine. I need help:)
 
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My recommendation is to erase/wipe the new iMac, and start fresh again.

You would need to start up in Recovery, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314. When booted into Recovery, select Reinstall macOS. From there it will give you the option to restore from Time Machine backup, use that option.

Obviously, you will need to have your Time Machine backup drive from your old iMac connected to your new iMac.
 

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I agree with Bob. It was the "worst case scenario" option I suggested in post #10.

Ian
 
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I have done as instructed, but I cannot get in my new iMac, it will not accept my password even though the hint is correct. i don't get it, feeling very frustrated after paying a lot of money for something I cannot use!
 
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I did as directed Bob. Logged into my new mac but have got stuck on 'icloud security code. I clicked on 'forgot code?" and "Approve from other device", checked that my new mac is approved but the new mac seemed to have frozen, spinning ball for ages. Can I just turn off the power an start again?
My recommendation is to erase/wipe the new iMac, and start fresh again.

You would need to start up in Recovery, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314. When booted into Recovery, select Reinstall macOS. From there it will give you the option to restore from Time Machine backup, use that option.

Obviously, you will need to have your Time Machine backup drive from your old iMac connected to your new iMac.
 
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My recommendation is to erase/wipe the new iMac, and start fresh again.


+1!! I would agree with Bob.

At least if the old Mac's user and data want's to be used properly and without adding extra work and fixes that just might not work properly.






- Patrick
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I want to switch from Sony Vaio to Macbook. Which will be best for me as I do a lot of designing work.
 
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