Thank you very much. I appreciate the assistance.
The issue I am having though is prior to even reassigning the home folder is system preferences. I simply copy the "users" folder from its current location on my SSD, then when I go to paste, Finder moves fine for the first 3/4 of the file copy, then dies. just hangs. I've let it sit for hours and still on the same file.
If is stop the transfer, finder will still force me to restart, which I can do successfully with no adverse side effects.
I'm not sure why it is doing this. the Hard drive will allow me to copy other files, in fact larger files (my entire users folder is less than 2.5 GB's since the computer is brand new)
any more suggestions?
What about instead of copying manually using a sync program.
Do you know CCC(Carbon Copy Cloner), you could use this one but for 1 folder to copy it is a bit complicated.
Maybe SuperDuper or Synchronize! Pro X are better for this, what you need is a (free) program which copies the folder to the back up disk.
Normally i create an empty folder, in your case the Home folder and then use a sync program to sync the home folder on the boot volume with the one on the back up disk.
If there are any errors those programs will tell you what happened and points out which program gives the problem, if it is a small file you don't need it still will copy all the other stuff, Finder refuses this and or hangs or just stops copying altogether.
There could be also a problem in your home folder, you could try repairing permissions with Disk Utility, if lets say there is a file inside the Home folder without permissions rightly set for you the finder won't be able to copy this and might get stuck.
Edit: Superduper is free.
Edit Again: Below a screenshot of SuperDuper, Disk on left is Source(Boot Volume and disk on right is target(GTech) and below choose backup user files.
You probably do not need to create an empty home folder on the backup, the program will probably do so if there is no home folder on the backup, give it a try.
Be aware it might erase the disk, it says so.
Also, I myself prefer Synchronize! Pro X, there is a simpler version available (Synchronize! X Plus), free trail available.
Edit: This one is free!!!! http://www.greenworldsoft.com/sync-folders-free-help.html