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    If I am backing up my current laptop with time machine....

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Ravich, Jun 11, 2009.

  1. Ravich

    Ravich Notebook Consultant

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    Will that allow me to just copy it onto a new computer if I get one?
     
    Ravich, Jun 11, 2009
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  2. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    i guess... could try....

    why though? Migration assistant will migrate your current Mac as is over to a new one.
     
    doh123, Jun 12, 2009
    #2
  3. Underpantman

    Underpantman Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes you can use TM to restore all your files, programs, settings etc to a new laptop. In fact this is one of the main purposes of TM.
    I did this a few months back when I went from an old white mb to an new alu one. It was a fantastic easy way to get the new lappie up and running with very little hassle.
    You have two options for doing this.
    1) Use migration assistant when the new laptop is booted into OSX
    2) If your doing a clean instal you can choose to restore from a TM backup during the instal process.

    Assuming that your buying a new laptop, you will probably take route 1 (as the clean instal has already been done at the factory).
    Its very easy and the migration assistant, it steps you thru the whole way. Depending on how much data you have the whole process could take between maybe 1-4h.
    a
    :)
    Its been awhile but I think you even get a prompt during the first boot up of a new mac from migration assistant to do this, here you can select TM as the source.
     
    Underpantman, Jun 12, 2009
    #3
  4. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    As rare as it is, I've known faulty OS images in the past which lead to obscure problems - so I usually install a 'default' setup from the recovery disks on a new machine, then use the migration assistant.
     
    Vogelbung, Jun 12, 2009
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  5. AirSinner

    AirSinner Notebook Evangelist

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    When you are restoring an Image (Time Machine Sparse bundle) from a previous computer onto a new computer, you have to understand the following.
    1. Migration assistant will allow you to transfer the Time Machine backup onto the new computer, however it will ONLY transfer the users home folder.. So that means what was saved in your previous home users folder only ( Music, pictures, Documents..ect. )
    2. Migration assistant will not transfer the Entire volume, so that means it will not transfer Network settings, or Applications.
    3. Booting to the install disk and restoring the Time Machine back up from there will restore the entire volume.. So the entire Time Machine back up will be restored onto your new computer.. So the user folder, applications..and network settings will be restored.

    If you would like to restore.. Please go ahead and review this article.. Best of luck!!!!

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1281
     
    AirSinner, Jun 12, 2009
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  6. Underpantman

    Underpantman Notebook Virtuoso

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    Not true, Migration Assistant can transfer your network setting to a new computer. It will copy user accounts, user files, applications, and settings for those programs.. it even has a dedicated screen during the process asking if you would like to copy your network settings.

    More info here:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migration_Assistant_(Apple)

    And a good Step by Step Guide here:
    http://macs.about.com/od/leopard105/ss/migratevol.htm

    a
    :)
     
    Underpantman, Jun 13, 2009
    #6