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merging/transferring files

Z

zoran

macrumors 601
Original poster
Jun 30, 2005
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My iMac is finished, not working anymore, now I only have its ssd with my files in HighSierra.
Been working on a laptop ever since, but it’s time that I merge the files from my iMac to my laptop, which is my main computer. Is it possible to merge those l files in iPhoto, that are located in the iMac, to my laptop?
 
You will need to get the SSD connected to the laptop.

What KIND of SSD is it?
Is it a 2.5" SATA SSD?
Or... is it an Apple "blade" SSD?

A SATA SSD is not a problem. Get an enclosure like this:
www.amazon.com

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)
www.amazon.com

If your laptop has only USBc ports, you may need an adapter cable like this:
www.amazon.com

Cable Matters 5Gbps USB C to USB 3.0 Adapter - 6 Inches, USBC Male to USBA Female OTG Adapter, Black

The Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C to Type-A adapter provides a convenient connection between the newest devices with USB Type-C and legacy USB peripherals with Type A. It adapts the Type-C port on a computer to connect all legacy equipment, peripherals, cables, hubs and chargers that ...
www.amazon.com

HOWEVER --
If the SSD is a "proprietary" Apple blade design, you're going to have problems finding an enclosure it will fit into.
I believe Other World Computing sells them, but they're not cheap (about $90 US).

You may have this solved already.
If you HAVE an enclosure, and can mount the drive on the desktop, tell us.
Then we'll go from there.
 
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zoran,

There's the problem of the iMac not being able to boot up. You'll need to remove the SSD from the iMac to get to the files and that's assuming the iMac dying wasn't caused by your SSD failing.

Do you have either a clone or a TimeMachine backup of your iMac's SSD? If so then using Migration Assistant, located in the Utilities folder, should be enough for you to migrate your files to your laptop: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350
 
Last edited:
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OP wrote:
"It’s a 2.5” Samsung 870 Evo 1TB SSD"

Do you now have the drive "in hand"?
Or... in an enclosure like the one I linked to above?
 
Long story short… I’m 100% certain that the iMac’s disability to boot, is the failed GPU.
The ssd is in fine condition.
I have heard about the migration assistant, only I don't know how to add my Photos in the laptop’s Photo’s collection.
 
zoran said:
Long story short… I’m 100% certain that the iMac’s disability to boot, is the failed GPU.
The ssd is in fine condition.
I have heard about the migration assistant, only I don't know how to add my Photos in the laptop’s Photo’s collection.
Click to expand...
You can use the Migration Assistant tool to transfer your files, including iPhoto libraries, from the iMac's SSD to your laptop. Here's how to do it:

  1. Connect the iMac's SSD to your laptop using a SATA-to-USB adapter or enclosure.
  2. On your laptop, open the Migration Assistant tool. You can find it by searching for "Migration Assistant" in Spotlight.
  3. Follow the prompts to select the iMac's SSD as the source and your laptop as the destination for the transfer.
  4. When prompted, select the files and folders you want to transfer, including your iPhoto library.
  5. Click "Continue" and the Migration Assistant will start transferring your files. This may take some time depending on the size of your iPhoto library and the speed of your hard drives.
Once the transfer is complete, your iPhoto library should be merged with your laptop's Photos collection. You may need to open the Photos app on your laptop and choose "File > Import" to import the transferred photos into your library.
 
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OP:

WHICH Mac do you have?
Could it be a 2011 MacBook Pro 15" or 17" ???

If you think the failure to boot is due to a failed GPU, try booting into "safe mode":
Press the power on button
Hold down the shift key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN.

This will by-pass the discrete GPU (that has the problem) and boot to the "integrated" GPU.

IF it will boot this way, GET ANOTHER DRIVE and copy all the stuff you need from the internal drive.

(I don't think you can boot a 2011 with a failed GPU into target disk mode. I could be wrong)
 
Its a 27" mid2010 iMac the one that will not boot.
Its a 16" MBPro that i wish to migrate the iMac's stuff.
Will the migrate still work if i transfer stuff from the iMac to the MBPro, despite i will already have been working on MBPro?
 
Unless you can get the iMac booted in some way, the only way to "get your stuff" from the hard drive would be to open the iMac, remove the drive, put it into a dock or enclosure, and try connecting that to another Mac.

If it's a fusion drive, that's NOT going to work.

I will ask you again:
Have you tried a "safe boot"?
Press the iMac power button and IMMEDIATELY hold down the shift key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN.
What happens?

One other thing to try:
Power off.
Press power button and IMMEDIATELY hold down the "T" key (nothing else) and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN. (this is "target disk mode")
What happens?
 
Fishrrman said:
Have you tried a "safe boot"?
Press the iMac power button and IMMEDIATELY hold down the shift key and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN.
What happens?

One other thing to try:
Power off.
Press power button and IMMEDIATELY hold down the "T" key (nothing else) and KEEP HOLDING IT DOWN. (this is "target disk mode")
What happens?
Click to expand...
Hi, sorry for the long wait, i was away but now im back with a 16" refurbished 2021 M1 MBPro.
I did what u said and my iMac keeps on chiming endlessly with either way, Shift or T key pressed.
 
The old iMac...
Did you ever add RAM?
If so, do you still have the original RAM?
I'm thinking... take the 3rd party RAM out... put the factory RAM back in...
 
Yes I did add Ram. I added up 2x8GB summed up to a total of 20GB. In the picture u can see what i have...

You believe that its the Ram thats causing the beeping when trying to reboot? (i did have issues with the used GRFXcard i installed since September2022 though)
In which bays? In the photo, you can see where the ram is situated now. I guess the question is where should i put the original 2+2 Gb Ram?
 

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Ok, lets get back to the file merging issue i posted in my 1st post. So, my goal is to place all of my "Photos" pictures/videos, the ones from my old iMac, to the Photos that are located in my MacBookPro.
Will the Migration Assistant be picky enough to choosing what to transfer, so i will transfer everything from the iMac to the MBPro?
 
"my goal is to place all of my "Photos" pictures/videos, the ones from my old iMac, to the Photos that are located in my MacBookPro.
Will the Migration Assistant be picky enough to choosing what to transfer, so i will transfer everything from the iMac to the MBPro?"

Connect the drive from the old iMac to the new MBPro.
(you will have to take it OUT OF the iMac to do so, and put it into an enclosure).

Let it mount on the desktop.

Take these steps to overcome permissions problems:
a. let the external drive mount
b. click ONE TIME on the icon to select it
c. bring up "get info" box (type command-i)
d. at bottom of get info, click the lock icon and enter your new password (the one you're using on the MBPro)
e. put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. close get info.

Now, open Photos.
I think you need to go to the file menu and choose "import".
Now, you will need to navigate to your OLD home folder on the external drive.
Go to "pictures", then select the icon for "Photos library", and try to import that.

I'm thinking this should work.
I don't use Photos, so I can't make any promises.
 
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stradify said:
Do you have either a clone or a TimeMachine backup of your iMac's SSD? If so then using Migration Assistant, located in the Utilities folder, should be enough for you to migrate your files to your laptop: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350
Click to expand...
Yes i do have a TM backup of the SSD. Im just wondering, what files can the migration assistant transfer? Is there a slight change that it might mess my MBPro system files etc?

Also whats gonna happen to the old TMbackup i have? Will a new backup be created in its place or can i carry on with the old TMbackup?
 
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