Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? in All things Macintosh http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20460819 en Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:53:10 EDT Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:53:10 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20471743 badcat :
said by sfogliatelle See Profile :

I confess being a tad too impatient to get all my previous files/folders loaded onto the new internal drive, and too embarrassed to appear to be asking for repeated assistance with an issue I didn't have the foggiest of clues about, Td.

As teach See Profile said, you and badcat See Profile are light years more helpful, intuitive and quicker (not to mention a heckuva lot friendlier) than any other mac-related forum I've been to!

Not to beat this dead horse into any more of a state of rigor-mortis than it already is, but you'd written before that "changing the read-write attributes, you can access the files...but you are actually disrupting the natural OS X setup", which got me to thinking (especially since it was in direct response to my post about my meddlesome altering of read-write attributes in files which I didn't have access to, the reason for which is now known)---seeing as how I haven't done the Migration thing with any of my previous Tiger Applications yet, and that the number of new installed apps on the new internal have been but a small, numbered few, would you suggest an erase and re-install of Leopard, only this time using the Setup Assistant?
Thanks for the kind words. I'm always glad to help, but so rarely helpful. :p Though when it comes to OSX I am Luke to TD's Yoda... ;) As far as a clean install goes, if you're up for it, why not? If you have all your data backed it seems to be a fairly low risk option. But, it is up to you of course!
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"The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20471743 Mon, 12 May 2008 19:01:47 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20471544 sfogliatelle : I confess being a tad too impatient to get all my previous files/folders loaded onto the new internal drive, and too embarrassed to appear to be asking for repeated assistance with an issue I didn't have the foggiest of clues about, Td.

As teach See Profile said, you and badcat See Profile are light years more helpful, intuitive and quicker (not to mention a heckuva lot friendlier) than any other mac-related forum I've been to!

Not to beat this dead horse into any more of a state of rigor-mortis than it already is, but you'd written before that "changing the read-write attributes, you can access the files...but you are actually disrupting the natural OS X setup", which got me to thinking (especially since it was in direct response to my post about my meddlesome altering of read-write attributes in files which I didn't have access to, the reason for which is now known)---seeing as how I haven't done the Migration thing with any of my previous Tiger Applications yet, and that the number of new installed apps on the new internal have been but a small, numbered few, would you suggest an erase and re-install of Leopard, only this time using the Setup Assistant? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20471544 Mon, 12 May 2008 18:24:27 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20470848 badcat :
said by Thinkdiff See Profile :

The exception to this is when there are no users in the current system (at the first, initial bootup after doing a clean install of the OS). If there are no users to check against, it just automatically creates a new user using all the settings from the existing user on the external drive. That's why it's better to do Migration Assistant before you touch or set up anything else on the system.

Bingo! That's probably why it worked so well for me in the past. I've always used it on either a brand machine or when I did a clean install of Leo on my iMac.
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"The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20470848 Mon, 12 May 2008 16:21:27 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20470819 badcat :
said by teach See Profile

Badcat, do you still have two users or did you combine the files into one user? Just seems odd to have two me's, lol, but thinking about it as I type, it doesn't sound so bad.

Thanks guys for your help, you are better than Apple's help pages.
[/BQUOTE :

I just ended up with the one account, which is what I was hoping for. I had used the Migration Assistant when I first bought my iMac and it worked fine then too. I should mention that I only have the one account. I don't have multiple users. Don't know if that makes a difference or not.
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"The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20470819 Mon, 12 May 2008 16:17:59 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20470316 teach : well, I don't know that I did anything different but I used erase and install and migrated except this time it all worked!!! whew, thanks again all.
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The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.P. G. Wodehouse]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20470316 Mon, 12 May 2008 14:51:09 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467936 teach : Thanks. I guess the new account might've happened when I migrated a second time. I think I will erase, reinstall and migrate again. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467936 Mon, 12 May 2008 00:39:50 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467912 Thinkdiff : Migration assistant works like this:

1. It searches your external disk/Mac for User folders, network settings, Applications, etc.
2. If it finds a User folder, it searches the current system for existing users. If an existing user matches the same name as the user on the external disk, it changes the name of the external user while it copies everything into your Mac (creating the new user in the process). This "new" user has completely different permissions from your current user, hence the read/write restrictions. This is the way UNIX/OS X is supposed to work. It sees you as two completely separate users, so you shouldn't be able to see each others files.
3. It repeats the process for each additional user on the external if there are any

The exception to this is when there are no users in the current system (at the first, initial bootup after doing a clean install of the OS). If there are no users to check against, it just automatically creates a new user using all the settings from the existing user on the external drive. That's why it's better to do Migration Assistant before you touch or set up anything else on the system.

If that's not possible, it's best to create a fake user during the initial OS X setup. Create a user with a name you'd never use. Then use Migration Assistant to bring in your real user name/folder. Login as the "new you", and delete the fake account.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467912 Mon, 12 May 2008 00:29:13 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467898 teach : Thinkdiff and Badcat, thanks a ton for explaining. So migration adds transfered stuff as another user? I did see another me as a user and the files for the most part were there. I was under the impression that it would all be migrated into one user not two.

Badcat, do you still have two users or did you combine the files into one user? Just seems odd to have two me's, lol, but thinking about it as I type, it doesn't sound so bad.

Thanks guys for your help, you are better than Apple's help pages.
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The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.P. G. Wodehouse]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467898 Mon, 12 May 2008 00:21:31 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467059 badcat :
said by Thinkdiff See Profile :

By changing the read-write attributes, you can access the files, sure, but you are actually disrupting the natural OS X setup:

When you run Migration assistant after the initial setup, it creates a new user. You can't access those folders because you are not logged in as that user. go to the Apple Menu, then go to Log Out and re-login as the migrated user. All the old files and settings will be accessible just as they were before you switched OSes.

That's why I recommend running Migration assistant right at the setup assistant. It eliminates this "problem".
I agree. When I installed Leo I used the Migration Assistant during setup connected to an external FW drive that had a cloned copy of my Tiger install. ( say that three times fast :p) It worked right the first time. I'm guessing its an "account thing" too. When Migration Assistant was finished it had re-created my Tiger account in Leo.
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"The stars are matter, we're matter, but it doesn't matter."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20467059 Sun, 11 May 2008 21:00:11 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466777 Thinkdiff : What drive were you trying to migrate from? Or was it another mac?

Just because the folders aren't accessible by you doesn't mean it didn't work. You should have multiple user accounts on your computer. Try logging in another user to access the files.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466777 Sun, 11 May 2008 19:45:57 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466751 teach : I used migration assistant as soon as the screen appeared during set up. During the last few minutes, a window came up and said something like ...did not transfer and I would have to run it again and was asked to run it again. it finished and from there I had the same results as sfogllatelle with the same folders. maybe I should reinstall, try it again and see what didn't transfer. Or, do the above and only keep the user account that did transfer.
excuse my moment of stress relief, aaaiiieeeee, lol.
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The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.P. G. Wodehouse]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466751 Sun, 11 May 2008 19:41:25 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466512 Thinkdiff : By changing the read-write attributes, you can access the files, sure, but you are actually disrupting the natural OS X setup:

When you run Migration assistant after the initial setup, it creates a new user. You can't access those folders because you are not logged in as that user. go to the Apple Menu, then go to Log Out and re-login as the migrated user. All the old files and settings will be accessible just as they were before you switched OSes.

That's why I recommend running Migration assistant right at the setup assistant. It eliminates this "problem".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466512 Sun, 11 May 2008 18:33:19 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466374 sfogliatelle :
said by Thinkdiff See Profile :

First, what folder is that specific? There may be a good reason you can't access it.

If it's one of the folders in your old Users folder, does the user name on the new leopard install match the old username on the Carbon Copy cloned disk?
After having successfully used CCC as you'd mentioned, there was a ton of files and folders like that, Td.

Lemme re-phrase that: first, thanks ever so much for your help and assistance with my previous situation (the snafu with Migration Assistant) and in suggesting the app to me. It worked like a charm. While I didn't scrutinize every single file and folder immediately after (I was just so happy to see that the ones selected had made the move), it worked precisely how you said it would, crossed fingers notwithstanding.

Anyway, in answer to your question about user names, when challenged for one the system wouldn't let me to use the same as I had with the previous drive (see attached image here). Soon after was when the additional frustration began.

Once having moved to the new internal drive, on closer inspection, almost all the files featured the round red icon as described above.

By viewing the properties of the internal after the move I could tell that its' available space had diminished comparable to what was transferred. I was unable to expand the files which had that red, round icon but that was about it; I couldn't open or view their contents, due to not having the correct permissions.

With the exception of the previous User Applications folder, I've spent the better part of the morning opening every file and folder with that icon and changing the 'read-write' attributes. Oh yeah, I've also copied and pasted some of the missing ~Library/Application Support folders from the external drive to the internal.
Click for full size
a tale of two drives
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20466374 Sun, 11 May 2008 17:57:13 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20465929 Thinkdiff : For the guys that didn't have some things transfer, did you use Migration Assistant as part of Setup Assistant on the first boot of the computer, or did you do it later on by opening Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder?
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University of Southern California - Class of 2010. Fight On!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20465929 Sun, 11 May 2008 15:46:48 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20465921 Thinkdiff : First, what folder is that specific? There may be a good reason you can't access it.

If it's one of the folders in your old Users folder, does the user name on the new leopard install match the old username on the Carbon Copy cloned disk?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20465921 Sun, 11 May 2008 15:45:42 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20465111 Toppil : I bought at Macbook Pro yesterday to replace my G5 Quad (amazing that it so out performs the behemoth). I used Migration Assistant and am having the same problem. Everything else seems to work just fine though. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20465111 Sun, 11 May 2008 11:53:28 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20461344 sfogliatelle :
said by tango_bob See Profile :

That icon states you don't have the correct permissions to view it's contents.
Well, thanks for providing the reason for the mysterious, peculiar folder icon. It's much appreciated. After what I presumed was a successful process using Carbon Copy Cleaner, I'd like very much to fiddle with my files, but pretty please, if you would, enlighten me as to how to go about altering/changing its' (their) properties to allow access?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20461344 Sat, 10 May 2008 12:22:28 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20461008 tango_bob : That icon states you don't have the correct permissions to view it's contents.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20461008 Sat, 10 May 2008 10:56:54 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20461000 teach : yep, that's the cursed icon, lol. I think I'll just burn a disc or two and put them in that way. I was wondering if I can use the ipod to to transfer the music to the computer?
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The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.P. G. Wodehouse]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20461000 Sat, 10 May 2008 10:54:32 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20460819 sfogliatelle :
said by teach See Profile :

lol, well the best laid plans. A few things didn't transfer, iTunes(music), library from my home folder, keychain info, and my documents folder. the folders have a red mark next to them. any ideas?
thanks again and besides the little stress, this is a beauty!!!!!
After using Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer my stuff from an external disc I experienced something similar. The folders in question show a round icon with a red circle and white rectangle in it (see attached image), but with no file size or contents in them on attempting to open them.

Color me confused.

perplexing folder icon
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20460819 Sat, 10 May 2008 09:50:30 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20458476 teach : lol, well the best laid plans. A few things didn't transfer, iTunes(music), library from my home folder, keychain info, and my documents folder. the folders have a red mark next to them. any ideas?
thanks again and besides the little stress, this is a beauty!!!!!
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The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.P. G. Wodehouse]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20458476 Fri, 09 May 2008 18:14:27 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20455192 Sebehk :
said by teach See Profile :

whew you two have lowered my stress level by 5, lol. thanks a ton.
I'm glad to be of help.

--->Robert
8-)
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Bozone (n.) - the area around stupid people which prevents creative ideas from penetrating.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20455192 Fri, 09 May 2008 03:58:04 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20455091 teach : whew you two have lowered my stress level by 5, lol. thanks a ton.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20455091 Fri, 09 May 2008 02:50:26 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454756 Sebehk : I transferred everything I had from my good ol' PowerMac G4/400 to my new Mac Pro 2.66 Quad using the Migration Assistant back in 2006. Only problem Migration Assistant had was transferring the Unsanity haxies I had on my G4.

As for the Awaken files, if they are located in your Home Folder, then Migration Assistant will bring them over.

--->Robert
8-)
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Bozone (n.) - the area around stupid people which prevents creative ideas from penetrating.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454756 Fri, 09 May 2008 00:24:17 EDT Re: [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454267 rmmoody : I used it to copy files to my new Mac Pro from another Mac. It worked very well, all the files and folders were placed just as they were on the old Mac. It will prompt you to select what you want to move, files, settings and applications. I'm not sure what you mean by awaken files, so I can't speak to that. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20454267 Thu, 08 May 2008 22:21:07 EDT [OS X] anyone use migration assistant? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453983 teach : An iMac is on it's way here. I was wondering if I can use migration to bring some settings and files over from a cube to the imac. because it's a G4 to intel, I won't try the whole system just a few files. was wondering if I choose to migrate the awaken files, will it take the all the files and place them or do I have to place them? whew, lol.
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The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.P. G. Wodehouse]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453983 Thu, 08 May 2008 21:30:37 EDT