I am wanting to transfer files from my imac to my new MB which arrives tomorrow. Is it somehow possible just to transfer my documents and music files? I don't really want the programs to go across?
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A question about transferring files to new MB
- Thread starter gadgetgirl85
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with the new MB's not having firewire.. i guess it depends on the total size you want to transfer?
you could do it all over wifi... or ethernet is preferred for faster speeds...
if you have say > 100gb to transfer and you dont have ethernet, then maybe using an external usb2.0 hard drive or something??
Do it via the network, ethernet or wireless.
Go to Sys Prefs on the iMac, go to Sharing, enable file transfer.
Then when you get the Macbook the iMac should be visible in the left hand pane in Finder, then you can just drag and drop all your gear.
If that doesn't work go back to Sharing in sys pref, in file transfer go to options, and enable SMB and tick the check box for your account.
If you don't have a router, then you'll have to buy a crossover cable of some sort.
Apple will also transfer it for free if you go down to the store. But you don't really want to lug an iMac down there.
Other than that, get yourself a crap load of DVD's and start burning
Go to Sys Prefs on the iMac, go to Sharing, enable file transfer.
Then when you get the Macbook the iMac should be visible in the left hand pane in Finder, then you can just drag and drop all your gear.
If that doesn't work go back to Sharing in sys pref, in file transfer go to options, and enable SMB and tick the check box for your account.
If you don't have a router, then you'll have to buy a crossover cable of some sort.
Apple will also transfer it for free if you go down to the store. But you don't really want to lug an iMac down there.
Other than that, get yourself a crap load of DVD's and start burning
External HDD is the best choice.
If you do it on DVDs, make sure to burn the music folders directly from
user>music>iTunes>iTunes Music (artist and album folders are here, as well as podcasts/movies)
I would do something like: artists 0 - E on one DVD, F-K on another DVD..etc..
Once all the folders themselves are burned to DVD, copy all contents of:
user>music>iTunes (this contains the "iTunes Music" folder, Assuming you saved the contents of it, delete this folder.) Once the folder is deleted, or at least skipped, you should easily fit the rest of the files on CD or DVD.
These files include:
Album artwork (folder)
iTunes Library
iTunes Music (folder. Save this seperately as it is the largest.)
iTunes Library Extras.itdb
iTunes Library Genius.itdb
iTunes Music Library.xml
Previous iTunes Libraries (not really important, at least not to me)
Temp File.tmp (no clue what that even is.)
When you get the new mac, Open the Music folder, and drop everything back the way it was. If there is already an iTunes folder present, delete it, and replace it with the saved library.
Open iTunes for the first time, skip through the prompts, and you'll be brought to the library, already fully operational. No re-adding, sorting, or anything. Playlists, songs, everything should remain intact.
If you do it on DVDs, make sure to burn the music folders directly from
user>music>iTunes>iTunes Music (artist and album folders are here, as well as podcasts/movies)
I would do something like: artists 0 - E on one DVD, F-K on another DVD..etc..
Once all the folders themselves are burned to DVD, copy all contents of:
user>music>iTunes (this contains the "iTunes Music" folder, Assuming you saved the contents of it, delete this folder.) Once the folder is deleted, or at least skipped, you should easily fit the rest of the files on CD or DVD.
These files include:
Album artwork (folder)
iTunes Library
iTunes Music (folder. Save this seperately as it is the largest.)
iTunes Library Extras.itdb
iTunes Library Genius.itdb
iTunes Music Library.xml
Previous iTunes Libraries (not really important, at least not to me)
Temp File.tmp (no clue what that even is.)
When you get the new mac, Open the Music folder, and drop everything back the way it was. If there is already an iTunes folder present, delete it, and replace it with the saved library.
Open iTunes for the first time, skip through the prompts, and you'll be brought to the library, already fully operational. No re-adding, sorting, or anything. Playlists, songs, everything should remain intact.