Do you use Migration Assistant?

[zooby]

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[CoastalOR]

My old MBP's logic board died and I am buying a new MBP soon. I was able to save my SSD (this was a late 08 MBP). Usually when I do a clean install after a software update, I take pictures of my old settings for programs and system preferences and apply them after the clean install. A friend let me know that Migration Assistant can simply transfer all settings/photos/music However, after If I boot from my SSD, should it show such settings as they were left?

Yes, but it may depend if your old SSD has a OS version that will boot your new MBP.

Because when I went to safari, I didn't see (for example) my extensions listed... so it makes me think that booting from my old SSD won't show my old settings and I should just start over?

Could you provide more information about this?

The only problem is that I am a fan of clean installs, and would restoring my settings cause any trouble?

It could, but I have used Migration Assistant multiple times with excellent results. The only time I had a problem was when I tried using Migration Assistant to go from OS 10.4 (PPC) to OS 10.7 (Intel) because it was too incompatible. In that case nothing happened. It tried for awhile then stopped. Nothing was harmed or corrupted. I then had to do the more manual installation copying files and installing 3rd party apps.
Here is Apple instructions that might help.

 

[zooby]

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[CoastalOR]

1) It is a full booted copy of El Capitan - I am able to boot into it perfectly.

2) I booted into the SSD from my new MBP and it had everything just as I left it. I went to check settings and tried Safari -> Preferences because I wanted to know which extensions I had downloaded previously. None were there, so it is making me think that it is not everything "just as I left it" ... even though I am booting to it?

3) Would it be any less of a clean install if I transfer my settings though? Like, does it transfer everything app settings and system preferences? Did you transfer messages too?

2) I understand about booting to the SSD now. Your first post said your old MBP had a failed logic board and you were buying a new MBP soon. No mention of already having the new MBP. I do not know why your Safari extensions would not be there when booting from the old SSD. That does not make sense. How would the data on your old SSD get changed? I do know that Migration Assistant does not overwrite your Apple apps, just move settings/preferences.

3) It is not a clean install if you move settings. It is just more convenient and saves time to use Migration Assistant and it has worked fine for me. Read the link I provided to see what is/can be transferred (pay special attention to the "Select information to Transfer" picture). It does transfer app settings and system preferences. It should transfer messages, but I did not have any myself. You could try using Migration Assistant, see how it works for you. If you do not like the results then do a clean install.

 

[zooby]

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[Fishrrman]

I'd try Migration Assistant first.

If you don't like the results, "wipe" the new MacBook and start over...

 

[snaky69]

My old MBP's logic board died and I am buying a new MBP soon. I was able to save my SSD (this was a late 08 MBP). Usually when I do a clean install after a software update, I take pictures of my old settings for programs and system preferences and apply them after the clean install. A friend let me know that Migration Assistant can simply transfer all settings/photos/music However, after If I boot from my SSD, should it show such settings as they were left? Because when I went to safari, I didn't see (for example) my extensions listed... so it makes me think that booting from my old SSD won't show my old settings and I should just start over?

The only problem is that I am a fan of clean installs, and would restoring my settings cause any trouble?

You can use Migration Assistant all day, everyday. This isn't Windows 95, the days where clean installs really matter are long gone IMO.

 

[zooby]

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[snaky69]

I have one last question (I promise!) - I am trying it today but before I wanted to check one last thing. I know it restores app settings, but I usually do not restore all apps since I prefer to install them from scratch... So say this transfers app settings for VLC (for example) and I later download it - would they be restored automatically or is this only if I transfer the app itself as well?

I'm not quite sure why you insist on installing them from scratch. It makes absolutely no difference unless you were having trouble with it in the first place, and even then, chances are the install isn't to blame.

But no, you cannot restore "just the settings" after having downloaded it from VLC's site, you either restore the app or you don't.

 

[Weaselboy]

So say this transfers app settings for VLC (for example) and I later download it - would they be restored automatically or is this only if I transfer the app itself as well?

Yes... VLC's settings are in ~/Library/Application Support/org.videolan.vlc and ~/Library/Preferences/org.videolan.vlc.plist and both those areas will be copied over with the user account even if you do not copy over Applications. So if you later installed VLC, it would pick up the settings from those files. (~ is your user folder)