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Reddogracing

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 1, 2021
4
3
I have a MacBook Pro 2012 running Catalina. I received an iMac 2010 running high sierra. I would like to transfer everything from MacBook to iMac but I get error that iMac needs to update OS. Which it is updated as current as it can go. Is there a work around? Is it worth it? Or should I at least look for iMac 2012 with Catalina? My goal is to duplicate my MacBook on two iMacs so that I can split my two online jobs so that they each have a dedicated iMac. So I can work them both at the same time. Not a gamer and do nothing fancy. I’ve had this MacBook since new
 

MBAir2010

macrumors 604
May 30, 2018
6,975
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there
what would you like to transfer?
everything like files can be dragged and dropped but programs with a red circle cant

as far as syncing and running both Catalina,
you could download a patch and run Catalina on the 2010 iMac.
there is helpful thread on installing Catalina on unsupported mac here.
this September, Catalina ran on my MacBook air from 2010

I hoped this helped and let us know if you need anything else.
 
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KeesMacPro

macrumors 65816
Nov 7, 2019
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As suggested by @MBAir2010 the best option is probably to install Catalina with the dosdude patcher.
Especially because you'd like to use the iMacs and the MBP 2012 for the same purpose.
This way you wont have any issues to interchange data between the devices.
Besides preferences etc can be set exactly the same on all devices which may increase workflow.
 
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Reddogracing

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 1, 2021
4
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well, i went to try the patch. He recomends swapping out the GPU. SO, I looked at the GPU thread for 2011 imacs and it is over 600 pages and dealing way in the weads with stuff i know nothing about. I am now looking for the simplest way to replace the GPU with one that will work if anyone has a suggestions so far it looks like maybe 675mx is a straight up deal but still reading
 

MBAir2010

macrumors 604
May 30, 2018
6,975
6,354
there
well, i went to try the patch. He recomends swapping out the GPU. SO, I looked at the GPU thread for 2011 imacs and it is over 600 pages and dealing way in the weads with stuff i know nothing about. I am now looking for the simplest way to replace the GPU with one that will work if anyone has a suggestions so far it looks like maybe 675mx is a straight up deal but still reading
I say
Just try the patch and upload.
all the patch does is tell your Mac that Catalina is friendly, and support me!

and as always time machine CCC what you have now.
you can always go back to that.
since i never uploaded Catalina on an iMac, wait for others to cue in advice.
but
with these macs, one can always go back to the previous OS or original one from time machine.
 
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Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,248
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OP wrote:
"I have a MacBook Pro 2012 running Catalina. I received an iMac 2010 running high sierra."

It's NOT WORTH "upgrading" a 2010 iMac to do this.
A waste of your money. Too old.

If you want to move "data" over, do it "manually".

You could use either a USB flash drive or a USB hard drive or SSD.

What I'd suggest as the best way:
1. Get a USB drive (SSD or HDD)
2. Format it to HFS+ (Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format)
3. Download CarbonCopyCloner from here:
(CCC is FREE to download and use for 30 days, if you do things "my way", it costs you nothing)
4. Use CCC to created a cloned backup of the MacBook Pro
5. Connect the cloned backup to the 2010 iMac.
6. Do THIS to prevent permissions problems:
a. click on the USB drive icon ONE TIME to select it
b. bring up the get info box for the drive (command-i)
c. at the bottom of get info, click the lock and enter the administrative password you're using for the MacBook Pro
d. put a checkmark into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing & permissions)
e. close get info
(Now you can copy just about anything from the USB drive to the old iMac, and whatever you copy will "come under the ownership" of your account on the iMac)

Now the contents of the cloned backup are "mounted and ready" on the old iMac.
You can start moving things a little at a time.
(it helps to keep a pencil and paper near and make notes of what's moved)

Now... IT'S UP TO YOU what to copy over.
You would want to copy personal data, email (special considerations required), perhaps some apps (IF those apps will still work on the older OS, may be doubtful).

BE AWARE that if you move stuff from one home folder to another, you CANNOT COPY the "first level of subfolders" (such as those named "movies", "music", "pictures", "documents", etc.
HOWEVER ... you CAN copy stuff that's INSIDE OF these folders (just not the entire folders themselves, which are "symbolic links").

For email, the best way to "move it over" is to open Mail on the iMac and try to "import" emails from home/library/mail on the USB drive. The goal is to "get it into" your other Mail.app, and THEN "move it around" afterwards.

Good luck!

A closing thought:
My opinion only, but I think it's a fool's errand to try to make one Mac "exactly like the other one".
In my experience, it's best to "let each Mac, be ITS OWN Mac"...
 

KeesMacPro

macrumors 65816
Nov 7, 2019
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I am now looking for the simplest way to replace the GPU with one that will work if anyone has a suggestions so far it looks like maybe 675mx is a straight up deal but still reading
Personally, I'd go through the iMac GPU thread to get a bit of an overview first, but to be completely honest I didnt realize that for the iMac 2010 there's so much involved (regardless OCLP or just a patched OS) to get it working satisfactory...
It's up to you if you feel comfortable and have the time to invest in a project like this..
 

Reddogracing

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 1, 2021
4
3
yea i just spoke with a young man that has a repair shop. He says that while it is plug in gpu,, getting to the gpu is not as easy. you have to complety gut the imac because the card is in the very rear. I think ill keep 2 of these imacs and sell one and get one with catalina already to replace my mbp
 
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KeesMacPro

macrumors 65816
Nov 7, 2019
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yea i just spoke with a young man that has a repair shop. He says that while it is plug in gpu,, getting to the gpu is not as easy. you have to complety gut the imac because the card is in the very rear. I think ill keep 2 of these imacs and sell one and get one with catalina already to replace my mbp
sounds like a sage decision to me.
 
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