Migration Assistant question

[JayElDee]

iMac 27" 5k retina 2017; Monterey 12.2.1
I recently upgraded my internal SSD from a 256gb to a 1tb.
I had previously discussed the process of transferring apps with the people at Carbon Copy cloner.
They suggested doing a virgin install of the OS on the new SSD and then using Migration assistant to bring over my apps. However, the tech who did the install simply cloned my existing 256 to the 1tb. I tried it out, but there seems to be some glitchiness with some of the apps, notably 3 programs from TopazLabs and Adobe Lightroom, problems that were non existent on my original 256 ssd.
So, I am considering reformatting the new ssd, doing a clean install of the latest Monterey, then using Migration Assistant, as CCC recommended.
My question is how best to use migration assistant? Should I just use my previous ssd as the source, the 256 which is still in the computer, but not the start disk, or make a complete copy of that drive on an external and use that, or somehow involve Time Machine? I never liked TM and that is why I use CCC.
TIA

 

[BrianBaughn]

I'd say the original 256GB SSD but I'd do a TM backup before proceeding.

 

[Realityck]

iMac 27" 5k retina 2017; Monterey 12.2.1
I recently upgraded my internal SSD from a 256gb to a 1tb.
I had previously discussed the process of transferring apps with the people at Carbon Copy cloner.
They suggested doing a virgin install of the OS on the new SSD and then using Migration assistant to bring over my apps. However, the tech who did the install simply cloned my existing 256 to the 1tb. I tried it out, but there seems to be some glitchiness with some of the apps, notably 3 programs from TopazLabs and Adobe Lightroom, problems that were non existent on my original 256 ssd.
So, I am considering reformatting the new ssd, doing a clean install of the latest Monterey, then using Migration Assistant, as CCC recommended.
My question is how best to use migration assistant? Should I just use my previous ssd as the source, the 256 which is still in the computer, but not the start disk, or make a complete copy of that drive on an external and use that, or somehow involve Time Machine? I never liked TM and that is why I use CCC.
TIA

I use migration assistant to port all my applications/settings/date to a newly formated/new system install. It should work fine. Anything not compatible with the newer OS will be copied to a folder that you can toss when you are satisfied everything is working OK.

This is how I make a snapshot with CCC see this #3 post.

If you have questionable applications involved verify they are most current versions. Migration assistant allow you to exclude any application when being run. I don't utilize CCC restore process only Migration Assistant with recent OS's like Big Sur and Monterey.

 

[Fishrrman]

Hmmmm....

If you do a backup of your internal drive (1tb) as it exists right now, and then try to restore from that, won't you be "backing up the problems" you're experiencing right now?

Having said that, there's going to be a problem trying to connect the OLD 256gb drive, as Apple used a proprietary connector, and you may not be able to find an enclosure that will connect to the Apple (proprietary) SSD.

What, specifically, are "the problems" you are having with the software now?

 

[Weaselboy]

notably 3 programs from TopazLabs and Adobe Lightroom, problems that were non existent on my original 256 ssd.

What problems are you having? I know Adobe and Microsoft apps will see they are running on new hardware in cases like this, and require reentry of the registration info.

 

[JayElDee]

Re-entry of registration info would be expected, but the problem go way deeper than that.
The problems that I have include repeated request for login data which it takes but does not "remember" the next time opened, like with every instance of using the program--topazlabs. Also, in SharpenAI (topaz) I get a message saying a file needed for the app is missing, or words to that effect, it doesn't list the file; I hit OK and then proceed. Sometimes, if using as a plugin from lightroom I get a mesage that the file is locked (it isn't accding to "get info.") but advising me if I open the program directly it may load, and it does.
I get repeated downloads of reference files(?), just really random things. I've written to Topazlabs a week ago with no response, smh.

In Lightroom, if I am in any module, and I am going back to a image, I highlight it in the bottom list, and it "selects" in the strip, but does not come up in the work window. If I go to another image, load it, and go back, it loads. Also in lightroom, the sliders seem to have lost sensitivity in that scrolling exposure or black level etc, the changes produced are WAY less than expected and what I previously produced on my old ssd. Put another way, I can slide the exposure slider to + or - 4 stops and not see a great change, I see some change, but in the past sliding to 4 stops under would be almost black, not even close now.
Very squirrely behavior and things that seem to me like not worthwhile to trouble shoot with the current install, iow, better to start anew using migration assistant.
I don't want to start taking lexapro, or prozac, or wellbutrin which I fear would be needed to address these problems in the current state of the new ssd, in addition to the anger management sessions that I know would be needed. It seems better to bite the bullet, reformat it, install the new OS and then go the MA route.
Re my old ssd, the tech mounted it within the iMac, so within the iMac I have two ssd s, the 1tb and the 256 gb.
He was in contact with Apple throughout and used their $$$ official parts. During the install, and why it took over 2 weeks, was he found it was overheating, the new drive wouldn't boot properly, he repasted the thermal paste, found two capacitors that were swollen-replaced, got a new SSD from apple, same problem, contacted apple who sent a new logic board with a 1tb drive (I only wanted and paid for a 512), and the copied the old ssd to the new one, keeping the old ssd installed in the machine.
Of course I questioned all of this, but he had my machine.

I have uninstalled the Topazlabs apps and reinstalled without addressing the problems. The same problems persist.
I am thinking that by cloning the programs something became corrupted that is not removed during the uninstall and still affects the newly installed app, or something is conflicting producing the errors.

@RealityChk...thanks, saw #3
I have an external 1tb samsung drive that I can reformat and use as a backup for my 256, the old ssd.
I am a bit unclear on the instructions you give.
If I reformat the external in APFS so that it is totally empty, then just do a backup of all files on my old 256 ssd--via CCC-- then reformat my new 1tb ssd, and use migration assistant from the external copy of my 256 ssd, is that what you're saying?
I am confused by the recs vis a vis system vs data.

Thanks, very much all for the knowledgeable and prompt responses.
John

 

[macoso]

I have problem after install Monterey 12.3.1 I created an user and then I used assistant migration to migrate my user and app from Mojave... after migration from OCLP in the usb the boot freeze and I have to force a restart. The strange thing is that whit Monterey 12.2.1 everything worked fine. I will try to reinstall from version 12.2.1