[MrForgetable]

My MBP is coming soon, so it is time to plan the migration from PPC to Intel.

For convenience, I am going to use Migration Assistant. However, I have some PPC applications, I think. The two biggies are the original Photoshop CS and Microsoft Office.
1) How would these transfer and work on the MBP? I will not have enough money for CS3 and Office isn't out yet. I guess I'm not too worried about this. Also, should I default Shapeshifter/Candybar before doing the move?

This has a little bit of math. I have a 500GB external with a 60GB bootable clone partition of my Powerbook's HD. Powerbook HD is 53GB used. The other 405GB is dedicated to RAW photos, of which I have used 54GB. I would like to create a 120GB partition to replace that 60GB one. The problem: the 54GB of RAW files is not on my Powerbook HD.
2) What would be the safest way for me to be able to use Migration Assistant and replace the 60GB partition with a 120GB partition, while retaining at least one copy of everything? MBP=120GB, PBG4=60GB. I'm thinking use Migration Assistant, download the 54GB of photos onto the MacBook Pro, wipe the external, and create the two partitions. Transfer the pictures and use SuperDuper for the clone. Is there another way?

3) I bought a copy of Windows XP to use with Boot Camp. I'm going to have a 10GB partition on my MBP, and I hope to back XP on the External HDD too. How would this factor into the migration situation? Should I create 3 partitions on the External HDD?

Thanks in advance.

[Big Mac]

People have had performance problems after using Migration Assistant to transition to their Mactels. I suggest doing it manually, but if you're going to use the utility search around and find out what was causing problems for people who used it in the past.

[MrForgetable]

Manually? Drag and drop from the clone or Target Disk Mode? Man... that would be time consuming.

[analogika]

Anything that uses Unsanity's APE extension is evil and WILL cause problems.

Any third-party drivers you've installed MUST be de-/re-installed in Intel versions.

Other than that, I had no problems whatsoever using the Migration Assistant to go from my PB G4 to the MacBook.

[TETENAL]

Whether you copy using the Finder or using the Migration Assistant doesn't make the slightest difference technically. Just use Migration Assistant.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

Whether you copy using the Finder or using the Migration Assistant doesn't make the slightest difference technically.

Actually, it does, since manually copying, say, printer drivers over just won't work unless you manually re-apply the correct permissions. (Having the system repair permissions won't help either, unless you manually copy the install receipts over as well.)

Also, some applications (like some Adobe stuff) won't work after manually copying them over, but *will* work if done using the Assistant, even if you manually moved over the Application Support folder - I assume this is because of some permissions issues or hidden files used for product registration.

The only place where it really doesn't make any difference technically is everything in the home folder - except, again, for a couple of items in ~/Library that *cannot* be copied manually due to "special permissions". Try it!

[TETENAL]

Why would you copy printer drivers? The new system has them preinstalled already.

I wasn't suggesting using the Finder. Someone else was, because "the Migration Assistent causes performance problems". I don't see how that would be the case when it and the Finder use the same API to copy the files over. So just use the Migration Assistant. It's is designed for migration after all, so it knows what to do and how to do it correctly (including permissions).

Personally I would only migrate the user accounts and reinstall all applications myself. That way you can make sure you get the Universal versions where available.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

Why would you copy printer drivers? The new system has them preinstalled already.

I didn't expect to have to specify that you might want to only copy over the stuff that DIDN'T COME WITH THE SYSTEM.

For some reason, you didn't assume that I was suggesting copying over Disk Utility or iTunes or Chess.app, either, so why the confusion here?

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

Personally I would only migrate the user accounts and reinstall all applications myself. That way you can make sure you get the Universal versions where available.

And all the drivers - including your printer software (Duh.). But yes.


Your claim that using the Migration Assistant is technically identical to copying stuff over manually is just flat-out wrong, though - or at least misleading at best - for the reasons I outlined above.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by analogika 

Your claim that using the Migration Assistant is technically identical to copying stuff over manually is just flat-out wrong

Fine, then explain the technical reasons why using Migration Assistant causes performance problems and using the Finder doesn't.

[analogika]

Because there IS a technical difference between the two, obviously?


Edit:
What sort of a stupid argument are you trying to lead here? Are you once again arguing against some imaginary point that nobody's actually making?

The Migration Assistant can cause problems with outdated components (such as non-Intel drivers, Shapeshifter crap, etc.) that are copied over to the new system without discrimination. This can be avoided if you copy over manually.

However, copying over manually means quite a few applications might not work correctly and would need to be re-installed, as will all drivers. The Migration Assistant, however, generally CAN move this stuff over, with the caveat mentioned above.

A little bit of background on possible problems:

MacFixIt - Troubleshooting Solutions for the Macintosh


You've already mentioned the best way around this:

Copy the user stuff over using the Migration Assistant, and install apps and drivers manually. I'd probably have it copy over the applications as well.

[jtrwallace]

I went from a PowerBook G4 to the latest MBP and I used Migration Assistant. I can tell you that I took no precautions whatsoever, I had a crapton of Unsanity Haxies installed and I had a few PPC only apps as well. Everything went over fairly flawlessly. Of course, the older CS PS should not work if I'm not mistaken so I would expect that not to work for you... but as far as Unsanity all you have to do to get them to work again is reinstall them and then log out then in. Once reinstalled they will actually use the settings you had previously. Very simple in my opinion. Office works fine MA'ed but older PhotoShop I doubt it.

[MrForgetable]

can i just migrate my user settings and itunes music via migration assistant and not anything else?

[analogika]

You can tell it to *just* migrate your entire user folder, which includes iTunes, pics, videos, e-mails, and all your personal settings (though not network settings).

There should be no hassle involved with doing this, at all - no stuff not working, no weird driver issues, or anything.

[OreoCookie]

You can just transfer settings, user data and settings or user data, settings and applications. I haven't had a single problem moving my user folder over a gazillion systems (iBook 500 -> iBook 600 -> iBook 800 -> TiBook 667 -> iBook 800 -> PowerBook G4 1.25 -> ProBook 2 GHz).

You can move data and settings without a second thought in my experience. Some apps have to be reinstalled, especially those that like to be registered to a certain computer.

You may experience problems if you are dependent on some drivers (not print drivers). Always install the latest drivers after updating your OS. Most apps are fine. In any case, transferring apps is `just' a convenience (since you can install them from the disks/download the latest version and use your registration key), the data is a lot more critical. You should definitely deinstall any OS hacks such as shape shifter.

[MrForgetable]

wow. so i uninstalled shapeshifter, cleardock, and ape.

my gui looks so weird. i haven't the opaque film behind the dock in over a year.

anyway, i'm going to go ahead with migration assistant for the user folder, and i've already got the CDs and dmgs organized. and for the partitioning of the external, i'm thinking of going with iPartition instead of juggling around 55GB of information.