[iomatic]

So,

I've had a few PowerBooks in my time, and I've upgraded in a myriad number of ways. I wonder what the best steps will be, in regards to 2005 and .Mac backups of settings?

I see myself doing the following:

a) Install apps fresh. I know some folks to wipe the HDD out, and even make *choke* partitions *choke* but eh…?

b) I really only have a fonts folder and a projects folder in my Docs folder, as well as some various other crap I could archive in my Documents folder. So, I'm only needing to copy my 1) projects, and 2) fonts folder. Smart, eh?

These seem to me the best ways to do things. It will suck to lose all my Workspaces from my Studio/CS apps, but alas. What happens during that FireWire User-upgrade-Assistant thing exactly? What happens to the .Mac settings; do they copy back to the new PowerBook or what? Are there any other recommendations or issues? I'd like to get things done right, but of course with the least amount of time and effort (unlike friggin' Windows-- have you actually watched someone reinstall that bugger?) Or, do people just recommend copying over the user directory? And how, if you have the same username for the new setup PowerBook? Bleh.

Thanks.

[Randman]

Use the Migration Assistant. It'll move 98% of everything over. It'll be like you never moved machines. When I did it, it even saved the spot where I was listening to an audiobook.

[NoBackUp]

Just copy the sub folders of your "HOME folder across all well written apps install under your home folder...done it may times between my PB/iB/iMAC/MACMini...

also this is what you should "BACKUP" only thing that i know that does not follow this is all the M$ apss..but you can just copy these from the "applications" folder no sweat..

[iomatic]

This copies the entire System, Apps., prefs, users, etc., kinda like Carbon Copy Cloner, yes, no?

Thanks, Randman. Isn't it a terrible time to buy a PowerBook?

Originally Posted by Randman

Use the Migration Assistant. It'll move 98% of everything over. It'll be like you never moved machines. When I did it, it even saved the spot where I was listening to an audiobook.

[JKT]

No it doesn't copy the entire system - it copies your user folder over (in effect), third party applications and any user defined preferences that are stored at the system level (you can also pick and choose what to copy to a certain extent). What it categorically does not do is copy the system over - that would potentially bork the new machine! To get an idea of what is transferred, run a search for Migration Assistant in Mac Help (Finder>Help>Mac Help). If you are online, The Apple Support FAQ about MA will be found.

If you use it there will be the need to re-install a few applications as things like frameworks installed in the system may not get transferred and anything with Quark style product activation will not function correctly. It could also be vital to upgrade some apps before using them.

[iomatic]

Thanks millions. You're all right; the Migration Assistant sounds like it fits my needs exactly.

After that, sounds like I need to reset iSync, and setup the printers again (I won't attempt to copy applications).

Too bad it wasn't out in 1998.