This post documents trouble I encountered using the Migration Assistant during the setup of a new iMac, posted for the benefit of others. The process is done and I have corrected all the errors, but if you think I made some mistakes during this process, post your comments so that others might benefit.
I recently received my new (mid 2010) BTO 27 iMac i7. Powering up the first time, I used Migration Assistant to move my ~70 GB of stuff (mostly photos and music and about a dozen apps) from my mid-2009 MBP, running OS 10.6.4. Before I started this, I removed unwanted applications from my MBP that I was no longer using, so I could tell the Assistant to move everything from my MBP. Both systems were CAT5-cabled to a TRENDnet Gigabit switch. Even though I had the MBP fully backed up on my TimeCapsule, I decided not to migrate from the backup because I didnt want to accidently get the apps I recently removed from my MBP.
It took me ~70 minutes to get 99% complete, then when my iMac said it was copying my time zone information, it popped up a window saying that my MPB and become disconnected from the network. I double checked the CAT5 cables and clicked the continue. After a few minutes, it popped up the same message. I triple checked the cables and tried to continue once again. After a little bit longer wait I got the same message and this time I hit the "cancel" button.
After shutting down Migration Assistant on the MBP, I checked the internet connectivity and it was fine. I dont know why the iMac was complaining. After I completed the iMac installation, I checked the time zone and it was correct. The iPhoto and iTunes seemed A-OK with all my stuff intact and my home folder looked perfect. I decided to check all the migrated apps, and thats were I ran into some problems.
I launched each one of the migrated apps from the application folder and, oddly enough, the only problem I had was with Apples own iWork apps. When I tried to launch Numbers, I got a message saying that all the necessary files werent installed, so I reinstalled iWork from my CD and then everything was fine with iWork.
I also launched another of my migrated apps, ViriusBarrier X6, and it seemed okay. A few days later, I was web surfing and I had a spontaneous shutdown. Since I upgraded my iMac with 4x4GB G.SKILL memory before I even powered my iMac up for the first time, I decided to boot into the test application and see if there was a problem with my new memory. There wasnt. A few days later, I had several back-to-back panic halts within a few minutes of each other.
This time, I spent some time going over the logs available in the console app and began to notice several disturbing messages. Difficult to understand completely, they did contain the words ViriusBarrier and panic and had time-stamps that suggested VB was causing the panics. Reexamining the ViriusBarrier installation, I _finally_ noticed that the Intego rook was not present in the menu bar! I guess I missed that for several days because I was in complete awe from my new iMac 27 display! I reinstalled ViriusBarrier from the CD and now everything is perfect. Ive been panic-free since reinstalling ViriusBarrier.
All-in-all, Im okay with the Migration Assistant, as trying to move all that stuff manually would have been a pain. I understand better now that apps might not migrate so well, so my advice is to check very carefully after a migration, and when in doubt, reinstall. I give Migration Assistant a B, at least this time.
I recently received my new (mid 2010) BTO 27 iMac i7. Powering up the first time, I used Migration Assistant to move my ~70 GB of stuff (mostly photos and music and about a dozen apps) from my mid-2009 MBP, running OS 10.6.4. Before I started this, I removed unwanted applications from my MBP that I was no longer using, so I could tell the Assistant to move everything from my MBP. Both systems were CAT5-cabled to a TRENDnet Gigabit switch. Even though I had the MBP fully backed up on my TimeCapsule, I decided not to migrate from the backup because I didnt want to accidently get the apps I recently removed from my MBP.
It took me ~70 minutes to get 99% complete, then when my iMac said it was copying my time zone information, it popped up a window saying that my MPB and become disconnected from the network. I double checked the CAT5 cables and clicked the continue. After a few minutes, it popped up the same message. I triple checked the cables and tried to continue once again. After a little bit longer wait I got the same message and this time I hit the "cancel" button.
After shutting down Migration Assistant on the MBP, I checked the internet connectivity and it was fine. I dont know why the iMac was complaining. After I completed the iMac installation, I checked the time zone and it was correct. The iPhoto and iTunes seemed A-OK with all my stuff intact and my home folder looked perfect. I decided to check all the migrated apps, and thats were I ran into some problems.
I launched each one of the migrated apps from the application folder and, oddly enough, the only problem I had was with Apples own iWork apps. When I tried to launch Numbers, I got a message saying that all the necessary files werent installed, so I reinstalled iWork from my CD and then everything was fine with iWork.
I also launched another of my migrated apps, ViriusBarrier X6, and it seemed okay. A few days later, I was web surfing and I had a spontaneous shutdown. Since I upgraded my iMac with 4x4GB G.SKILL memory before I even powered my iMac up for the first time, I decided to boot into the test application and see if there was a problem with my new memory. There wasnt. A few days later, I had several back-to-back panic halts within a few minutes of each other.
This time, I spent some time going over the logs available in the console app and began to notice several disturbing messages. Difficult to understand completely, they did contain the words ViriusBarrier and panic and had time-stamps that suggested VB was causing the panics. Reexamining the ViriusBarrier installation, I _finally_ noticed that the Intego rook was not present in the menu bar! I guess I missed that for several days because I was in complete awe from my new iMac 27 display! I reinstalled ViriusBarrier from the CD and now everything is perfect. Ive been panic-free since reinstalling ViriusBarrier.
All-in-all, Im okay with the Migration Assistant, as trying to move all that stuff manually would have been a pain. I understand better now that apps might not migrate so well, so my advice is to check very carefully after a migration, and when in doubt, reinstall. I give Migration Assistant a B, at least this time.