need migration help

[bs0604]

Bought a new MacBook Pro m3 chip machine and trying to migrate my apps and files from my 2017 MacBook Pro. No matter whether I use wifi connection or lighting cable it freezes at 23,334 files. I disabled the antivirus software, updated the OS on the old computer and ran disk utility on it without solving the issue. On the 2017 computer I get a black screen with a picture of a white file containing a question mark. At the bottom of the screen "support.apple.com/mac/startup. On the new computer get a pop up square with a tuxedo at the top and "This Mac is attempting to reconnect to your other Mac. Be sure both computers are on and connected to the same network". Below that is a blue rectangle with white lettering "Cancel Transfer"
Any help for this issue?

 

[jav6454]

Do you have both laptops connected to power?

 

[Bigwaff]

Are you following these instructions?

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Use Migration Assistant to copy your files from another computer.

support.apple.com

 

[bs0604]

yes both computers plugged in to power. And yes I followed the instructions as per the above link. As I noted in my OP, the transfer freezes at the same spot each time.

 

[HDFan]

On the 2017 computer I get a black screen with a picture of a white file containing a question mark.

Generally means that it can't find the OS on the startup disk.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

I predict you will do much better if you create a backup of the OLD Mac on an EXTERNAL DRIVE, and then use the drive as "the medium of transfer".

Do you keep a time machine backup, or perhaps CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper?

If not, do you have an external drive that could be used to create a backup?
It needs to be large enough to hold all the data on your old drive.

Get back to us, and more suggestions will be forthcoming.

 

[bs0604]

I had 4 sequential phone conversations with apple support who took me through various stratagies, none of which helped. I was able to transfer my applications via migration asst, but not my files. Final suggestion was to move my files to an external drive and then use this to transfer to the new computer. I assume this means to drag and drop files from the external drive to the new macbook pro. Does this technique end up with same result as if I were to successfully able to use migration asst?

 

[Bigwaff]

I was able to transfer my applications via migration asst, but not my files.

If your "Documents" folder didn't transfer, as opposed to the user account itself, then drag-n-drop to ext and then ext to new Mac should get you the majority of the way there.

I assume this means to drag and drop files from the external drive to the new macbook pro. Does this technique end up with same result as if I were to successfully able to use migration asst?

If your user account doesn't transfer using Migration Assistant then, no, drag-n-drop technique described will not yield the same results as Migration Assistant.

From your original post it sounds like you are attempting Target Disk mode on the older Mac?

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

If either Mac has macOS 11 Big Sur or later installed (which your new MBP M3 definitely does), you need to use a Thunderbolt cable. TB cables look like USB-C cables but are most certainly not the same. TB cables have a little lighting bolt on the adapter ends.

 

[Fishrrman]

Questions:

Do you have an external drive?
If so, what kind?
Have you copied the files in question TO the external drive yet?

Do you KNOW where the files will "need to go" on the new computer?

By doing this, it's possible to "migrate them manually" without setup assistant or migration assistant.

BUT... you need to take steps to overcome permissions problems (even if you used the same name and password on the new Mac, it will still "think" the files are "from somebody else").

What to do:
1. On the old Mac, get all the files copied to the external drive. You might even make some notes as to "what is what".
2. Take the drive and connect it to the NEW Mac
3. Let the drive icon mount on the desktop, but DO NOT open it yet.
4. Instead, click on the drive icon ONE TIME to select it, then bring up the get info box for it (you can just type command-i)
5. At the bottom of get info, click the lock and enter the password you're using on the NEW Mac
6. Put a checkmark into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing & permissions)
7. Close get info.

Now you can copy over stuff from the drive, and the folders/files you copy will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account (no permissions objections).

Just take your time, and KNOW IN ADVANCE where you want folders and files to go.
(hence, taking notes and getting finder windows set up right for copying).

Good luck!

 

[jav6454]

I had 4 sequential phone conversations with apple support who took me through various stratagies, none of which helped. I was able to transfer my applications via migration asst, but not my files. Final suggestion was to move my files to an external drive and then use this to transfer to the new computer. I assume this means to drag and drop files from the external drive to the new macbook pro. Does this technique end up with same result as if I were to successfully able to use migration asst?

At this point, I would suggest you stick with what Apple is doing. Likely your case will be escalated to the engineering team.