Moving stuff to new iMac/ different user [Archive]

gordguide

Oct 20th, 2004, 09:48 AM

This is the stuff you will want to copy/back up:

Your Data in Documents
YourHome > Library > Application Support > AddressBook (take the whole folder)
Also in YourHome > Library > Application Support > (take whatever else you need)
YourHome > Library > Keychains (take the whole folder)
YourHome > Library > Mail (take the whole folder)
YourHome Library > Preferences > com.apple.mail.plist
YourHome > Library > iTunes (take the whole folder)
YourHome > Library > Safari (take the whole folder)
YourHome > Pictures > iPhoto Library
YourHome >Music > iTunes > iTunes Music

... and whatever else you might have lying around in different places (like files on the desktop or files on another partition, if you have more than one).

A very important file is the Mail.app preference file located in the Preferences folder which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.

Create your accounts and move the backups to the home folder of your new user account. You could try to put them in the correct folders, but if the Mac balks for some reason just make sure they're in the home folder somewhere; you can move them after the next step.

To be safe, don't delete anything from the powerbook until you are sure everything you need is on the new Mac and you can open/use the files. On the new Mac:

Open /Applications/Utilities/Terminal. At the prompt, type:

sudo chown -R username:username /Users/username

... and press:
RETURN.

In the above command, you will replace all instances of "username" with your current user short name. So, if your short name is "dan," for example, you will type the command exactly like this:

sudo chown -R dan:dan /Users/dan

When you press RETURN, you will be asked for your admin password. Enter it and again press: RETURN.

Note: you won't see any text appear when you enter a password in the terminal.

When you return to the prompt, quit Terminal. This will reset the ownership of your current HOME folder and every file it contains, including any files you "transferred" from your old account, to yourself as the "new" user.

Note: if you've never used the command line before you need to be careful. Type the commands (the ones that appear above in bold type) exactly as they appear (including spaces, but of course substituting your new user name for the ones above) or ask someone here for some pointers about using the Terminal.

With thanks to Scott Radloff (Apple Support: Discussions).

[ October 20, 2004, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: gordguide ]


ehMac.ca > ehMac: Canada's Mac Community! > Mac, iPhone, iPad and iPod Help & Troubleshooting > Moving stuff to new iMac/ different user PDA : Moving stuff to new iMac/ different user Annie Oct 19th, 2004, 05:52 PM I am waiting for my new iMac G5 and I am trying to figure out how to switch all my stuff from my iBook. The problem is I dont want to keep the same user name... From what I read I dont think setup assistant will be able to do that? Am I wrong? What will happen to all my keychain stuff? Thanks Annie Ohenri Oct 20th, 2004, 03:09 AM Hmmm... Cannot comment on the keychains, but could you not ccc the drive and then make the user name change?? how much do you need to bring over?? I had issues with CCC (though it should handle all keychain/permissions, no??), so I FireWire'd all the files that I needed - as just like keeping boxes when I buy new product, I like to keep the install apps of all 3rd party apps. Carbon Copy Cloner might be the answer, regardless. H! gordguide Oct 20th, 2004, 09:48 AM This is the stuff you will want to copy/back up: Your Data in Documents YourHome > Library > Application Support > AddressBook (take the whole folder) Also in YourHome > Library > Application Support > (take whatever else you need) YourHome > Library > Keychains (take the whole folder) YourHome > Library > Mail (take the whole folder) YourHome Library > Preferences > com.apple.mail.plist YourHome > Library > iTunes (take the whole folder) YourHome > Library > Safari (take the whole folder) YourHome > Pictures > iPhoto Library YourHome >Music > iTunes > iTunes Music ... and whatever else you might have lying around in different places (like files on the desktop or files on another partition, if you have more than one). A very important file is the Mail.app preference file located in the Preferences folder which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences. Create your accounts and move the backups to the home folder of your new user account. You could try to put them in the correct folders, but if the Mac balks for some reason just make sure they're in the home folder somewhere; you can move them after the next step. To be safe, don't delete anything from the powerbook until you are sure everything you need is on the new Mac and you can open/use the files. On the new Mac: Open /Applications/Utilities/Terminal. At the prompt, type: sudo chown -R username:username /Users/username ... and press: RETURN. In the above command, you will replace all instances of "username" with your current user short name. So, if your short name is "dan," for example, you will type the command exactly like this: sudo chown -R dan:dan /Users/dan When you press RETURN, you will be asked for your admin password. Enter it and again press: RETURN. Note: you won't see any text appear when you enter a password in the terminal. When you return to the prompt, quit Terminal. This will reset the ownership of your current HOME folder and every file it contains, including any files you "transferred" from your old account, to yourself as the "new" user. Note: if you've never used the command line before you need to be careful. Type the commands (the ones that appear above in bold type) exactly as they appear (including spaces, but of course substituting your new user name for the ones above) or ask someone here for some pointers about using the Terminal. With thanks to Scott Radloff (Apple Support: Discussions). [ October 20, 2004, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: gordguide ]