Considering adding an SSD - how to I migrate over my files

[Jethryn Freyman]

So, right now I've got a 1TB hard drive, with about 700GB used. I'd like to pick up an SSD, probably a 60GB OWC Mercury Electra 3G.

Obviously, 700GB of data won't fit on this tiny SSD, so I'm going to have the base system on it and then all my files on the 1TB hard drive. I've already got all my photos and movies and iTunes library saved in a folder located at / because I've got Filevault running and didn't want that stuff encrypted.

I also don't want to go through the hassle of manually reinstalling and updatng the system and so on, if I can avoid it.

So how do I move my data over? Can I install the hard drive and SSD, then boot from a USB of another Leopard installation, and just copy over the system files (e.g. /Applications, /System, /Library, /Users, /Developer, and the invisible UNIX files located at /, and have the system boot up fine? Combined, that'll take up about 30GB which is fine, it's my big folder of stuff located at / that currently takes up the other 670GB.

Thanks for any help

 

[skinniezinho]

you can use carbon copy cloner, and select the folder you don't want.
Personally I would install the system,update it and import the stuff through migration assistant, but if you don't want to, just use carbon copy cloner.

 

[zen.state]

You're running 10.5 so just use Time Machine as it's already right there.

1. Do a current Time Machine backup

2. Boot from the 10.5 install disk

3. Once at the first install screen go up to the utilities menu and select "Restore from Time Machine".

Your files, user account and all your settings/preferences and even your desktop pic will all be restored perfectly on the new SSD.

You will need to exclude all the things you don't want on the SSD and that obviously won't fit in the TM preferences. Click options then the plus sign to add excluded items.

I would even keep 10.5 on the 1TB as it gives you another healthy boot drive if anything ever goes wrong with the SSD.

 

[GermanyChris]

Your all grown up now and you can do what ever you want but..

The people that have the most problems with the SSD particularly sand force SSD did exactly what you talking about..

I have issues with the Vertex 2 in this computer about 2 years ago, I called OCZ and the first question was "Did you do a fresh install or a clone" I had cloned..fresh install and everything was happy..

Put a fresh install on there and use your old Home folder on the TB drive and forget about it..if you need you can copy some preference folders over..

 

[Jethryn Freyman]

You're running 10.5 so just use Time Machine as it's already right there.

1. Do a current Time Machine backup

2. Boot from the 10.5 install disk

3. Once at the first install screen go up to the utilities menu and select "Restore from Time Machine".

Your files, user account and all your settings/preferences and even your desktop pic will all be restored perfectly on the new SSD.

You will need to exclude all the things you don't want on the SSD and that obviously won't fit in the TM preferences. Click options then the plus sign to add excluded items.

I would even keep 10.5 on the 1TB as it gives you another healthy boot drive if anything ever goes wrong with the SSD.

LOL.

Thanks. The Time Machine + excluding idea is so simple yet never crossed my mind. I'm practically kicking myself now for not see it... and yes keeping the 1TB drive as bootable seems like a good idea too.