[ Mac] New Users

[JamesS]

I managed to get it set up in the end, though it was a complete pain. Doesn't seem to have required any re-authorization, thankfully, though I've not tried booting it with Boot Camp again since setting it up in Parallels.

[Brad]

I had to activate Win 7 once in boot camp and once under parallels. Now it seems happy.

[EJG1980]

I decided that after just over two years with the same laptop (quite criminal really) I would take the plunge and go Mac. I ended up buying the £899 13 inch MacBook Pro.

I've only had it a day and a bit but I'm very impressed with it so far. The quality of the hardware is lovely, and I'm enjoying swiping all over the place on the touchpad

Obviously after using nothing but Windows for years there are a few things that I knew how to do instinctively on Windows that I haven't worked out yet on the Mac but I'm browsing the net and finding stuff out gradually. Anyone have a good recommendation for web sites that help out people who've jumped from Windows to Mac?

[ChrisF]

I've not actually read it (doh!) but Apple do have a guide for PC to Mac folk... http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

[thegreathopper]

Migration advice please.

I have just ordered a brand new mini to replace my old power pc mini, can someone recommend the best way to copy all my settings, programs etc to the new machine. Will my Microsoft Office copy over with it?, I have lent out the original disks and do not know to whom.

What I would like like is for the new mini to be the same as the old one just faster, I am sure life is not as easy as that even with a Mac.

I run time machine on an external drive if that is of any use.

[SegaMark]

Use the install disk on your new machine, and load your full backup from your TM drive.

I did it when I got my MacBook Pro, so I could get my complete iMac setup on it too.

[Radiant]

migration assistant should sort you out.

[muddy]

Both of the above ways will work.

Fastest I find is the migration assistant option. Plug-in the old Mac via Firewire and turn it on holding down the T key (for Target Disk mode). Boot up your shiny new mac, follow the set-up instructions, and when asked if you "Already Own a Mac?" answer "Yes, transfer my information"

It'll copy all your home folder info, and apps across to the new Mac, making it the same. So much so, it can feel like you've not really upgraded at all!!

[thegreathopper]

Both of the above ways will work.

Fastest I find is the migration assistant option. Plug-in the old Mac via Firewire and turn it on holding down the T key (for Target Disk mode). Boot up your shiny new mac, follow the set-up instructions, and when asked if you "Already Own a Mac?" answer "Yes, transfer my information"

It'll copy all your home folder info, and apps across to the new Mac, making it the same. So much so, it can feel like you've not really upgraded at all!!

That sounds great, Exactly what I want. Thanks for your help guys. I will update when the Mini arrives.

[Ginger Tosser]

It's the way I've updated all my Macs

Though if you've pissed about with the system it won't copy some settings over (in my case PHP, MySQL and Apache). But I guess i'm in the minority that does dabble with the inner workings.

[thegreathopper]

Itunes and office.

Though if you've pissed about with the system it won't copy some settings over (in my case PHP, MySQL and Apache). But I guess i'm in the minority that does dabble with the inner workings.

I have no idea what any of that means, my main concern is my Itunes library which is on a fire wire drive connected to my present minimac,

I want the new mini to see this with no hassle as I have about 500 albums in lossless format on my itunes firewire drive and all the cd's are packed away in the loft.

The second thing is my Microsoft office as the girlfriend needs it for her business.

I am hoping the new mini will copy this across with no problems.

The plan is to connect a firewire 800 cable from the new mini to the external firewire drive, then from the external firewire to the old mini and run migration......... Hopefully this will work.

[thegreathopper]

Use the install disk on your new machine, and load your full backup from your TM drive.

I did it when I got my MacBook Pro, so I could get my complete iMac setup on it too.

I am unsure what a TM drive is, this method also appears more complicated than migration. Is it better?

[randombs]

Time Machine. When you format a drive in OSX it asks if you want to use it as a Time Machine backup drive.

[thegreathopper]

Old mini to new mini.

Now I am confused.

Am I better off with time machine restore on a new Mac or running Migration from utilities?

Thanks in advance.

[muddy]

Now I am confused.

Am I better off with time machine restore on a new Mac or running Migration from utilities?

Thanks in advance.

I would suggest using the Migration tool, as that's what its designated purpose is. Time Machine is a back up util, to save your ass when you lose something/everything... however people may have differing opinions, usually based on what has worked for them. I've done it both ways with success.