iMac 2008 to 2017 help

[scottbushey]

i woke this morning to a cold and dark 2008 IMac. I must say, I cannot complain, given it’s faithful service. Two years ago it started, finally bogging down and I splurged for an SSD, which was so nice,

My question for the community has to do with time machine and cloning my 2008 to my 2017:

I already opened my iMac and retrieved my SSD. I found some char on one of the larger boards. I guess that’s was the culprit.

I imagine I will take the old SSD and make it an external drive for this new machine. Should I just leave the new computer as she stands and access the apps on the external drive as I need them or should I drag my main progs to the new computer?

Am I correct in assuming that if I clone my 2008 to the new iMac, instead of dragging things over, it will completely change the new hard drive and programs, reverting back to my 2008?

Forgive me if these are dumb questions and thanks in advance for your expertise

 

[komatsu]

Scott, you can migrate the old apps using Migration Assistant but you would want a very good reason to do this.
Old Apps on a new computer will just increase the risk of your sparkling new OS developing problems.

Download or install the apps again if you must.

Start anew.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

i woke this morning to a cold and dark 2008 IMac. I must say, I cannot complain, given it’s faithful service. Two years ago it started, finally bogging down and I splurged for an SSD, which was so nice,

My question for the community has to do with time machine and cloning my 2008 to my 2017:

I already opened my iMac and retrieved my SSD. I found some char on one of the larger boards. I guess that’s was the culprit.

I imagine I will take the old SSD and make it an external drive for this new machine. Should I just leave the new computer as she stands and access the apps on the external drive as I need them or should I drag my main progs to the new computer?

Am I correct in assuming that if I clone my 2008 to the new iMac, instead of dragging things over, it will completely change the new hard drive and programs, reverting back to my 2008?

Forgive me if these are dumb questions and thanks in advance for your expertise

It depends if your 2008 is on high sierra then it will be fine as that is what your new computer will be on. If it isn't it won't work anyway as you can't roll back OSes very easily.

As mentioned above you can set your migration assistant to migrate any files and apps you want across. Or you could just install the apps and migrate the files across or any combination you want.

 

[haruhiko]

It depends if your 2008 is on high sierra then it will be fine as that is what your new computer will be on. If it isn't it won't work anyway as you can't roll back OSes very easily.

As mentioned above you can set your migration assistant to migrate any files and apps you want across. Or you could just install the apps and migrate the files across or any combination you want.

iMac 2008 does not support Sierra as I remember. Let alone High Sierra.
I would recommend to start anew too.

 

[PerfectTommy]

I'd honestly just start from scratch. It goes faster than you think it would. Getting my new 2017 iMac set up took me like 2-3 hours total... and that included re-installing Adobe stuff, Office, moving pictures, etc.

 

[Fishrrman]

My advice will be different from everyone elses'.

When you get the NEW iMac, do this:
1. Open it up, put it on the desk, but don't boot yet
2. Connect the SSD to the new iMac using either a USB3 enclosure or perhaps a USB3/SATA dock like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Exte...qid=1515165135&sr=8-3&keywords=USB3+sata+dock
3. Now, boot the NEW iMac for the first time
4. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from an older Mac or drive. YES, you do.
5. "Aim" SA at the SSD
6. Now, you must decide what to migrate. SA offers to bring over apps, accounts, settings, and other data.
7. I would think you'd want at least everything other than apps.
8. I would even try the apps choice. You might be surprised at what still runs. For those apps that won't run, you can delete them and re-install. The newly-installed versions may even be able to "appropriate" your prior settings.

Again, different from others' above.
But sometimes, the quick-n-dirty way... actually works best.

 

[komatsu]

As a matter of interest, does Migration Assistant work differently when OS X is initalizing as opposed to running when the OS is up an running?