Migration Assistant Help....Old iMac (USB-3) ----------> NEW iMac (USB-C)?

[jman995x]

Hello,

I just got a brand new iMac with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).
My Old iMac HAD one of the original Thunderbolt ports, but it is no longer talking to the motherboard (can't mount an external HDD with the old Thunderbolt cable to my Old iMac, but CAN mount said drive to other Macs via same cable/port combo, so it is a port issue on my Old Mac).

Having said that, I have about 2TB of data on my Old iMac and I want to transfer everything over to my New iMac, but am dreading having to do so via "Wi-Fi" and Migration Assistant, and waiting until retirement for the process to finish.

I know that Migration Assistant will allow me to set up a "Thunderbolt Bridge" (if BOTH machines have USB-C), but can I run a
USB 3 Cable from my Old iMac to a USB-C (Thunderbolt) port on my New iMac, thus transferring files MUCH faster than via Wi-Fi?

If not, and I don't use Migration Assistant at all.....will spanning the cable I just mentioned allow my machines to talk to each other and then I can Manually move files from Old to New?

Basically, I'd love for Migration Assistant to just handle everything so I don't have to make any decisions and everything winds up in the proper location on the new computer (like Application Support files), I just don't want it to take days to accomplish the transfer, so I'm looking for the fastest way to accomplish this task.

I know some might say to just bump up my iCloud storage, push everything to the Cloud, then just download from the Cloud to the New iMac, but that's basically the same thing (timewise) as the "Wi-Fi" Migration Assistant transfer.

Any thoughts/recommendations/warnings would be greatly appreciated.

Justin

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't make simple things harder.

All you need is a cable with a USBc connector on one end, and a USBa connector on the other.
Or, just a USB3 "a cable" with one of these on one end:
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Adapte...f=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1546266906

Even a simple "converter plug" might work, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/nonda-Adapte...pter&qid=1574697611&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=8-4

Then, follow Fishrrman's "you can do it" instructions for migrating from an old Mac to a new one.
If you follow my instructions below, I guarantee a success rate of 98%:
PRINT OUT these instructions and check them off as you go along.

1. BEFORE you do anything else, run a "final" backup on your old Mac. Use an external drive for this. It can be either TM or a cloned backup using CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. I prefer CCC.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE TM AS YOUR "MIGRATION EXTERNAL DRIVE". INSTEAD, USE EITHER CCC OR SD. Things will go better this way!
2. Shut down the old Mac and disconnect the external drive
3. Take the new Mac out of the box and set it up on the table. DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON until step 8 (read on). You don't want to begin setup until "the right moment".
4. If you're using an external display, connect the display using the usb-c/VGA adapter/cable that you have
5. Connect the keyboard and mouse if you use them. I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you connect them DIRECTLY to the Mac.
6. If you use a hub, leave it DISCONNECTED for now
7. Connect your backup drive -- use a usb-c adapter if needed.

OK, we're ready-to-go, so let's get goin':
8. Press the power on button for the first time.
9. The new Mac may ask for help "finding" the keyboard, just follow instructions.
10. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another Mac or drive. YES, you want to do this.
11. "Aim" setup assistant at the external backup. Setup assistant will need a little time to "digest it all". BE PATIENT and give setup assistant the time it needs.
12. You will now see a list of things that can be migrated, such as applications, accounts, settings and data.
13. I suggest that you select ALL of them.
14. Let setup assistant "do its thing". It's going to TAKE A WHILE to move things over. Again, be patient. If you have a lot "of stuff", it will take a lot of time!
15. When done, you should see the login screen. Go ahead and login.
16. Once logged in, things should look pretty much as they looked on your old Mac.
17. You should check all your apps. Some may not run, and may require upgrading.
18. You can set aside the old backup, or ... "repurpose it" to become the backup for the new Mac. I'd keep the old one around for a week or so, at least.