Moving to a New Mini

[Hrothgar]

My new Mini should arrive early next week. Although I use CCC to back up my current one, I don't want to just restore my old machine onto my new one. I'm convinced that I've got "software" issues that have been slowing down my current mini. And, I apparently have hundreds of gigabytes of "Other" on my drive, which doesn't go away even when I deleted more than 100 gb of data and emptied the trash.

So, after I download necessary apps onto my new machine, is there an easy explanation of what files I need to bring over? For example, my iTunes and Photos libraries are on a separate external drive -- I'll just point the apps in this direction. Logging into OneDrive, iCloud and Dropbox seems pretty straightforward. I assume I can redownload books from Kindle and iBooks.

I'm sure there's lots of stuff I'm not thinking about. Are there other files on the old Mini that I need to bring over? And should I do it by copying from one drive to another or using CCC?

 

[IowaLynn]

What is already in cloud storage, resides in more than one local device are not needed unless you want to for faster access. I went with the it/16/512 hoping to keep my OneDrive, Google, and iCloud on internal Mini drive, space allowing.

I agree though, a clean start is ideal.
System extensions are changing.
If you are on BigSur CCC isn't ready. I even tried. Weird partition issue. Same other programs.

Your home folder library ~/Library is one place that seemed to accumulate stuff - and problems.

By installing all apps you make sure things where they belong.

 

[Boyd01]

Migration Assistant will let you choose exactly what you want to move. It runs automatically when you setup a new Mac, or can be run mamually later. Just plug in the drive with your CCC backup.

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Use Migration Assistant to copy your files from another computer.

support.apple.com

But when I setup my 2018 Mini, I did it "from scratch" using the pre-installed version of Catalina on the new Mini and manually copying all my user files. Was a bit of a chore, but pretty straightforward. I did not move any system or preference files from the old machine(s) - the new Mini took the place of two old Macs and a Windows PC that is now a virtual machine.

I exported my Safari bookmarks to a file and imported them on the new Mini. The biggest nuisance was having to re-enter all my website passwords, but I had them all stored in a database and also used keychain access on the old Mac for a few that were missing. I did not have iCloud keychain setup before, it would have been much simpler if I had. Turned it on now, so things should be easier next time I need to migrate.

Regarding media, I have everything on a 2014 Mini running Mojave that is used as an iTunes server. This works great, and I did not move anything to the new Mini. After reading about all the problems with Apple's new TV an Music apps, I just didn't want to go there. Even so, when I use home sharing to access my media on the 2014 Mini, none of my video playlists work. They are listed on the new Mini, but the contents are blank. Music playlists work, but video/movie playlists don't.

Enjoy the new Mini, I love mine!

 

[Hrothgar]

Hmm. Perhaps I should use the old Mini as a media server. Do you just have the 2014 Mini with an operating system, iTunes and media files and operate with a remote control? Is it connected to the new 2018 Mini?

 

[Boyd01]

My 2014 Mini is the 2.8ghz/8gb model with a fusion drive. I have separated the internal 128gb SSD from the 1tb hard disk and use the SSD as the boot drive with a minimum install of MacOS. All of my media is on a 4tb external USB SSD and is cloned nightly to an external hard drive (also have continuous BackBlaze cloud backup). Everything is hardwired on gigabit ethernet and the Mini, screen and amplifier are on a big UPS.

No remote control, I have a cheap wireless keyboard and mouse but also control it with screen sharing and file sharing to manage the media. It is in a cabinet in the dining room with a 24" 720p screen on top which I sometimes watch video on. Also connected to my home audio system (through the headphone jack) with speakers in different rooms. For video, I mostly use it with two Apple TV's but sometimes my other Macs, iPad or even iPhone.

Previously, I used a base 2014 1.4ghz/4gb Mini for this and it was actually fine as a server. But when B&H was blowing out the 2.8ghz/8gb Mini's for $500 last year, I couldn't resist.

 

[Hrothgar]

Got it. I first bought the mini to use as a media server, using it only for iTunes and to hold my music/video files. I used a MPB as my regular home computer. As my family grew, the Mini's responsibilities grew accordingly. I was going to send the 2014 Mini back to Apple for a $150 trade-in, but I might as well keep it.

 

[brianmowrey]

Looking at your Disk Utility screenshots from the other thread, what you are describing as "Other" is just your HD-Data volume. Catalina makes finding out what's on your drive very confusing in several ways. One is that when you select your HD volume, the Data volume shows as "Other," and when you select the Data volume, HD shows as "other." This makes no sense since they are separate volumes, but that's how it is.

Then there's the "Other" category in About This Mac > Storage. It's the one we are more familiar with. It might be where hidden files that seem to be undelete-able live - especially if you ever had Time Machine turned on with the T7 - but it also might just be where a lot of non-hidden files are being created by an app without your knowledge. Or, it might be that not much is in Other at all, and your T7 is just full of movies. Looking at About This Mac > Storage or Daisy Disk will clarify what is filling up the T7.

If you want to figure out the best way to ensure the problem doesn't "move" to the new Mini you should keep drilling down on that.