Remotely Migrating?

[cosmichobo]

G'day,

My parents live 4.5 hrs away, and need a new iMac. Their old one - 2008 iMac runnings Mavericks - is dying a slow death, and after 6 months I've finally convinced dad to buy a new one. The problem is, my parents have very limited computer savvy, and with covid / work etc, it's not easy to just go see them.

I used to remote access their machine so I could take control and fix problems / see what was going wrong... but that functionality hasn't worked for some time, for unknown reasons.

I'm wondering... If I get the iMac delivered to them, all they need to do is unbox the machine, plug in the power cord, and then get it to connect to their Wireless Modem. (I am hoping assuming the keyboard/mouse will auto sync?) If I can walk them through allowing screen sharing access - I could then remote control the new iMac from my MacPro5,1 Sierra, and set up their email, and whatever else needs to be done.

BUT - what about migrating their old data? I'd want to copy over their old emails, Documents, Photos.

How would you go about doing this remotely? I can't imagine Migration Assistant being able to handle Mavericks. If I can't remote in from afar -- will the 2 iMacs be able to connect via local wifi?

Thanks

cosmic

 

[nicho]

G'day,

My parents live 4.5 hrs away, and need a new iMac. Their old one - 2008 iMac runnings Mavericks - is dying a slow death, and after 6 months I've finally convinced dad to buy a new one. The problem is, my parents have very limited computer savvy, and with covid / work etc, it's not easy to just go see them.

I used to remote access their machine so I could take control and fix problems / see what was going wrong... but that functionality hasn't worked for some time, for unknown reasons.

I'm wondering... If I get the iMac delivered to them, all they need to do is unbox the machine, plug in the power cord, and then get it to connect to their Wireless Modem. (I am hoping assuming the keyboard/mouse will auto sync?) If I can walk them through allowing screen sharing access - I could then remote control the new iMac from my MacPro5,1 Sierra, and set up their email, and whatever else needs to be done.

BUT - what about migrating their old data? I'd want to copy over their old emails, Documents, Photos.

How would you go about doing this remotely? I can't imagine Migration Assistant being able to handle Mavericks. If I can't remote in from afar -- will the 2 iMacs be able to connect via local wifi?

Thanks

cosmic

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Use Migration Assistant to copy your files from another computer.

support.apple.com

Migration assistant is capable. You should be able to talk them through this on the phone, in honesty.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Alternatively, have them do a time machine backup to an external hard drive now (they should have a backup anyway), then restore from the backup on the new machine.

The new machine will boot into Migration Assistant on first power up, so if they have the backup plugged into the new computer, they should be able to follow the prompts to get the restore started.

With any luck, Mavericks will ask them if they want to use the new external drive as a time machine backup the first time they plug it into the old iMac.

 

[Fishrrman]

1. Do they have/use an external backup drive?

2. If not, they may be able to connect the two computers via ethernet and migrate that way.

3. THE BEST WAY is to create a cloned backup using CarbonCopyCloner (free to download and use for 30 days). But it will require a USB external drive capable of "holding everything".

A brand-new out-of-the-box Mac isn't going to have an account on it yet.
Without one, I don't think it's possible to "remote into it".

They could "work their way" through setup assistant (which runs the very first time you power on the Mac) with you over the phone, explaining each successive screen.

 

[cosmichobo]

Ah ok - hold the phone! I hadn't thought about Time Machine. Yes, they do have an external HDD which is meant to be doing a backup via Time Machine. I will check with them when it last updated... (I know it was having issues, but pretty sure I got them a new drive at Christmas.)

I had totally not expected Migration Assistant to handle Mavericks, but the link above suggests it can. If it is as simple as plugging the backup into the new (M1) iMac and clicking a few options... I might be able to guide them through it. It's a big "MIGHT" though - seriously, my father is sooo frustrating trying to remote assist, and he may outright not be willing to try.

Will Migration assistant set up Mail with the correct accounts / etc?

 

[Weaselboy]

Will Migration assistant set up Mail with the correct accounts / etc?

Yep... it is pretty good about bringing all data and settings over.

Make sure they do the MA import during the initial setup as opposed to making an account and then doing it.

 

[cosmichobo]

RE Ethernet - I'm getting the cheapest of the new models, so no Ethernet option.

And I've just had a 30 minute phone call with my father because his Epson printer is not printing properly - it's very faint. I'm thinking it needs a head-clean. Half an hour... and no result. Partly my fault I guess as I don't know the name of the Epson print utility, and after several spotlight searches still couldn't find a result, but that was 30 minutes just getting my dad to first check his wifi was on, and then do spotlight searches...

And further... he's scuppered the idea of me doing this remotely. Too scared he'll stuff it up.

All good... I'll just bundle the kids up one weekend soon and go for a drive... At least I was able to confirm his Time Machine backup is up to date.