Please advise...it's been SO long

[prymsnap]

...since I've migrated to a brand new (main) computer. My MDD is on its way out, and I'm trying to decide between a new Mini or a refurb MacPro. But the larger issue in my mind is HOW to best port everything over from one to the other.

A. Just cloning the hard drive will also clone any lingering software problems from the old machine, right?
B. Does "migration assistant" port over just the apps and docs vs. the system?
C. I have a complete SuperDuper backup of the old machine on an external HD. Would using that as a starting point also bring over to the new machine any software problems from the old machine?
D. Would I get the cleanest results by REALLY starting from scratch and just re-installing all my apps from original disks? Sounds painful but perhaps it's a good option. Dang...where's my floppy adapter? (Just kidding...I think.)

For those of you who change machines on a regular basis, these questions will likely seem very elementary. But it's been such a long time since I've done this, perhaps newer options are out there. I mean, my last tower before the MDD was beige, so you see where I'm coming from. Thanks!

[mattkime]

a) not really an option since you'll be going from PPC to Intel.
b) pretty much everything you'll need. can't think of anything that it doesn't, but for me it might be dev tools but thats understandable.
c) yes, it would be exactly the same - although probably faster than your old machine in target disk mode
d) not a bad idea. i've always used migration assistant and yes its produced some problems but i've been able to solve them.

[mikebw]

Migration assistant is great, but if you feel like you have some extra baggage now might is the time to start clean.

[raz]

Firewire Target disk mode will copy all the apps and documents.

Two things to note:
a) only the primary drive on the IDE chain is visible. I found that out when TDM'ing my Quicksilver to the new MacPro. I wound up with an old Panther setup from my backup drive, and had to nuke and pave the Pro and swap IDE connectors in the QS.

b) TDM is a bit stupid when copying system preferences. On the wife's MacBook, it copied the setting for her old iBook's ethernet (which needed to be deleted and recreated) and modem (which doesn't exist).

So, minor issues, but far easier than any other method

[prymsnap]

mikebw wrote:
Migration assistant is great, but if you feel like you have some extra baggage now might is the time to start clean.

I have a lot of old baggage and lingering problems that I never successfully resolved. So here's what I'd love to do: start absolutely fresh EXCEPT for my system settings. Is that possible? And on the other hand, if it is possible, is it wise in terms of a strategy?

[mattkime]

>Is that possible?

I'm not sure but its not a terribly good idea.

What do you want to transfer with your system settings?

[NewtonMP2100]

. . .I thought this thread would be about nookie. . .

[Black]

prymsnap wrote:
[quote=mikebw]
Migration assistant is great, but if you feel like you have some extra baggage now might is the time to start clean.

I have a lot of old baggage and lingering problems that I never successfully resolved. So here's what I'd love to do: start absolutely fresh EXCEPT for my system settings. Is that possible? And on the other hand, if it is possible, is it wise in terms of a strategy?
Great advice here. I went from an MDD to Intel and was frustrated that migration assistant couldn't see my main/startup drive because it wasn't in the stock position.
I would try migration assistant first. Give it a whirl-- it's possible the bad vodoo will be replaced by good voodoo by virtue of an entirely different language. If there's still too much "bad" stuff you can nuke and pave very easily (this stuff goes a zillion times faster than you're used to . . .)

[prymsnap]

Black wrote:
[quote=prymsnap]
[quote=mikebw]
Migration assistant is great, but if you feel like you have some extra baggage now might is the time to start clean.

I have a lot of old baggage and lingering problems that I never successfully resolved. So here's what I'd love to do: start absolutely fresh EXCEPT for my system settings. Is that possible? And on the other hand, if it is possible, is it wise in terms of a strategy?
Great advice here. I went from an MDD to Intel and was frustrated that migration assistant couldn't see my main/startup drive because it wasn't in the stock position.
I would try migration assistant first. Give it a whirl-- it's possible the bad vodoo will be replaced by good voodoo by virtue of an entirely different language. If there's still too much "bad" stuff you can nuke and pave very easily (this stuff goes a zillion times faster than you're used to . . .)
Good point. I can try the easier route first, then if bad voodoo follows, go the more time-consuming way.

[prymsnap]

mattkime wrote:
>Is that possible?

I'm not sure but its not a terribly good idea.

What do you want to transfer with your system settings?

I was thinking about all my Mail and network settings.