Multiple Mac Migration

July 14, 2006 5:41 AM

Is it possible/advisable/etc. to use Migration Assistant to migrate data to one Mac from more than one Mac?

Here's my situation: I recently got a snazzy new laptop for work, and it seems silly to keep my personal laptop. So, I'm upgrading my home system to a new iMac Intel, and selling my existing Powerbook G4 and iMac G4.

As part of this process, I'll be consolidating files and applications from my existing personal machines onto the new iMac. What I want to know is if there's any downside to using Migration Assistant to move files from both computers? (What I'd REALLY like to do is have Migration Assistant automatically consolodate users, but I assume that's not supported... on the other hand there may be third-party tools that do this that I haven't found.)

Looking at Migration Assistant, I can't find any reason why this isn't possible... but I thought there might be folks out there who has tried this before and could advise me of any potential boondoggles or better ideas.

Thanks!

posted by j-dawg to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

(What I'd REALLY like to do is have Migration Assistant automatically consolodate users, but I assume that's not supported... on the other hand there may be third-party tools that do this that I haven't found.)

Migration Assistant will not consolidate user accounts to one user account. It uses the directory information on the old computer to recreate directory information on the new.

If this is a requirement, you may as well:

• Mount each old computer's hard drive on the new computer in Firewire Target Mode

• Set the ownership flag of the current old hard drive, so that you don't have to worry about permissions:

-- Select the hard drive (Finder -> File > Get Info)
-- Go to the sub-panel Ownership & Permissions
-- Unmark the check-box “Ignore Ownership on this volume”

• Drag over files from each old computer's hard drive (Users > username > etc.) to a single account on the new computer
posted by Mr. Six at 6:01 AM on July 14, 2006

I'm sorry: That should read "Mark the check-box "Ignore Ownership on this volume", not unmark.
posted by Mr. Six at 6:03 AM on July 14, 2006

Migration manager has no conflict resolution, so you'll end up with the settings etc from the most recently imported Mac. Your files are copied much easier using FireWire target disk mode as Mr. Six suggests
posted by bonaldi at 6:14 AM on July 14, 2006