Migrated time machine backup to my new iMac and error logging in! Please help...

[dtpumbationz]

My old Mac Pro died on my for the final time last week (just before I was getting back to work which is what I mainly use it for so I finally decided to get a new machine - an iMac which I love.


Fortunately, I was backing up to time machine daily on my old Mac and thought that the process of transferring everything over would be nice and simple. However, after migrating the time machine back up, I was having problems logging in with the error message: : 'Unable to log in to user account at this time - failed error occurred'.


After a bit of searching on the web, I was able to re-do the whole process with new machine, but this time without migrating backup straight away and do it once logged in as another account. I still get the same problems with the same message....


Can anybody help please!! Thanking you in advance.

Peter

 

[Fishrrman]

My advice and my opinion only follows.

You didn't tell us WHAT "died" on the old Mac Pro. Please explain.

Would it be possible to take the old boot drive (the one that has your stuff on it) OUT OF the Mac Pro case, and connect it to the new iMac with an enclosure/adapter/etc.?

If you could do that, you could then go to the recovery partition and erase the internal drive on the iMac "back to the beginning".

Then... connect the old drive, and run setup assistant again, migrating "directly from the original drive" instead of from a TM backup. That might work for you.

----

BUT...
IF there is some kind of "software problem" with your old user account, even that might not work. In that case, there are workarounds.

For example:
You could create a NEW user account, and then "manually migrate" stuff from your old drive to the new account. This takes time and care, but it CAN be done if the other, easier ways don't work.

Again, I would choose to take the old drive out, then use it to copy files from it directly, without going through the TM backup.

 

[dtpumbationz]

Sorry - not so tech savvy as you guys so bare with me.

My old Mac Pro 'died' when I updated to the new operating system (and from what I think I have found out, my computer wasn't powerful/strong enough for it!). after updating, every time I tried to switch on the Mac, a white light kept flashing (next to power button) and the computer just wasn't turning on. The monitor was just blank.
I know there were probably ways around this and to solve, however being a 2006/2007 model, and urgently needing a machine for work, I decided to treat myself to a new Mac.
However, I didn't think I was going to have problems migrating from the time machine. I really thought it would be simple! I have so much on there that I need retrieving also for work (and of course personal) and just don't know how to get over this hurdle.

Where you mention - taking the boot drive, I don't even know what that is or how to do it and afraid Im just gonna screw things up further!

As for manually migrating, how do I go about doing this? This seems like the safest option for me (unless Im wrong?!)

 

[dtpumbationz]

Also to add: I went in to my backup files indivudually, and there are some files in my "USERS" folder that have a little red 'stop' circle, meaning I can't access. I've gone into them via 'Get info' and looking at the 'Sharing & Permissions' section, both user and everyone 'names' cannot be edited to change....

I don't know if this helps clarify my problem?

 

[Fishrrman]

"Where you mention - taking the boot drive, I don't even know what that is or how to do it and afraid Im just gonna screw things up further"

If you are this "technologically handicapped", perhaps your best bet at this point would be to take both the old Mac and the new one to a computer shop that handles Macs and ask for their help.

I'm going to repeat some of what I wrote above:

You need to open up the old Mac Pro.
I believe one side of it "flops down", revealing the interior. There's a button for that near the top, I think.

Once it's open, you need to locate the boot drive.
There's probably only one hard drive in it.

You need to DISCONNECT that drive and take it out.
The case is designed so that you can do this.
I -think- the old Mac Pro's use a "SATA" 3.5" drive.

Perhaps the best thing to use would be a USB3/SATA "docking station" like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Exte...262&sr=8-9&keywords=USB3+sata+docking+station

or this:
https://www.amazon.com/Support-Cino...pons&keywords=USB3+sata+docking+station&psc=1

or this:
https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Drive-...62&sr=8-13&keywords=USB3+sata+docking+station

When you have the drive in your hand, and the docking station, do this:
1. Connect the docking station to the new iMac
2. Power up the iMac
3. Put the drive into the dock
4. Turn on the dock if it's not powered up
5. The drive should "spin up"
6. The drive icon should "mount" on the desktop
7. Does it do this?

If you do the things above, and can get this far, come back here and I'll tell you what to do next.

If the above is too complicated for you, again -- take both computers to a computer shop and ask for help.

 

[dtpumbationz]

Hi @Fishrrman - been distracted with work and other commitments but finally got the docking station. Ive connected it and loaded my boot drive. The drive icon does indeed mount to the desktop.

Please let me know what to do next. Your help is really appreciated mate.

Edit - I have explored into the folders and found my library under 'users'. However most the folders within my 'user' folder have there red little 'stop' symbol - meaning I don't have access to it...so frustrating. What do you suggest?
[doublepost=1549107108][/doublepost]Final Edit - I figured it out @Fishrrman - its all good now and really appreciate your guidance and time you took to help me out with the above posts! Wishing you all the best!