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Discussion:What method you are using to move your files from PC/Mac to your new iMac

WizardHunt

WizardHunt

macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 11, 2007
1,695
38
Las Vegas, Nevada USA
I thought it would be interesting as well as a good learning point for new Mac users whether you are moving files from your old PC to Mac or Mac to Mac.

Explain if you would what method you are using such as Time Machine, or manual backups, or utilizing Mobile Me for your misc backups... and how did you use them. What other methods worked for you?

Be specific if you don't mind. Thanks I think this would be educational for all concerned. Let the Discussion begin: :D
 
Last time I transferred files like that was from my parents old PC to their new iMac, documents photos and music mostly.

After giving up doing it over the wireless network because it was too slow (big photo and music library), I used a normal ethernet cable and plugged the PC straight into the mac. I had to mess about a bit to get it to work but eventually they transferred really quickly. Can't remember exactly how I did it but it's definitely doable with a bit of googling
 
Just transfer via network or external HD.

I think the easiest way to transfer emails, if the PC user doesn't use IMAP, is to create a Gmail account (7GB capacity, free IMAP) and copy all your emails to the Gmail account in your Windows email program (Outlook Express or whatever). These will then sync with Google's servers.

Then add the Gmail account to Mac Mail and it will download all your old emails. Create a new Mailbox in Mail, COPY (don't just drag and drop or they won't be on the Gmail server anymore in case something goes wrong) the emails to the new mailbox, and delete the Gmail account. Voila. Google have a tutorial on setting up IMAP with Gmail for OS X... just Google it :p
 
I have all files(music, pics etc) backed up on a 1Tb NAS over a gigabit ethernet so i can move files around

I have the mac backed up also using a USB2.0 drive as a time-machine backup for quick access to main stuff.
 
Old method: I kept all files on a separate partition. Then would transfer them via ethernet.
Edit: I mean each computer had its own files there was no central storage point.

Current: All files are are stored on redundant drives on my gaming computer, since it has the most storage space, this also gets monthly backups from other computer on the network. When setting up a new computer I pull one of the drives and plug it in via usb 2.0, select the root directories I want transferred and drag them all at once. I then go about my day and in a few hours everything is transferred (I have a lot of data). I also have an all in one connector that does USB to 2.5" IDE, 3.5" IDE and SATA connections so that I can pull a drive from any computer and plug it in without futzing with an enclosure.

Ideally I would set up a central data server but I do not want to waste electricity on a 24/7 up time computer. Also if I did a data server it would be RAID 5 and modern hard drives in a high speed RAID array would easily outperform any consumer priced network connection I know of. Anyone know when 10Gigabit will become mainstream?;)
 
Just transferred music and files over ethernet directly connected to the Mac Mini and old PC. Since there was only one monitor and I didn't want to keep detaching/reattaching, I used iChat's screen share to control the mini on my MBP, while the PC had the monitor. I found that to be very useful. If the PC had been set up properly before hand, I wouldn't have needed it, but it was nice to have another option. Email, contacts, calendars all came over with mobile me.
 
Just used an external hard drive that I had all my old PC files backed up on anyway.
 
Ok now I will put in my 2 bits of information. I am using my Time Machine External Drive to transfer my files over. Seems painless and not too long. It is interesting to see how others are doing it.
 
WizardHunt said:
Ok now I will put in my 2 bits of information. I am using my Time Machine External Drive to transfer my files over. Seems painless and not too long. It is interesting to see how others are doing it.
Click to expand...

Ok I am done with the transfer of my files. Went very quick and flawlessly. I just love Mac. Been using for over 7 hours straight and no lockups at all. I love it.
 
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