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PREPARING TO RECEIVE A NEW MACINTOSH COMPUTER

Please print and read through this documentation before your new-computer installation appointment.

Please backup all of your data before your appointment, and be ready with your external hard drive on the day of your upgrade installation. If you need assistance with the migration, please contact Donna Schnopp at least one week before your appointment.

If you are upgrading to a Mac from a PC, you cannot migrate as much of your information or settings and there is no automatic method. Please see Upgrading to a New Mac from a PC.

If you are upgrading from a Mac, ITS recommends using iBackup to copy your data to an external hard drive and then restore your data from the external hard drive to your new computer.

Migration Instructions
Mac OS X: Leopard

If you use Dreamweaver
If you use a Xerox Multi-function Devices (MFD) for printing

Mac users may also find this article from the Apple Support website useful: Mac OS X: How to back up and restore your files

The instructions below describe in detail how to use the application iBackup to migrate your data to your new computer. This is a recommended method, but you can also look at the Backup your Mac page for other options.


Mac OS X: Leopard

All new FCAP Macs come with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. For more information on Leopard, visit: http://www.apple.com/macosx/

If you use non-Smith software, please check to be sure that your software is compatible with Leopard.

For more information on upgrading to Leopard, read the Upgrade Schedule available on the Smith Mac User blog.

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Migration Instructions

To upgrade using iBackup, you will need your old Mac and an external hard drive that is at least as big as the "used" space on your current Mac. (To find out how big your hard drive is, control-click on your Macintosh HD and choose Get Info. Under the General section, you can see the capacity of your current hard drive as well as how much space you have used.)

If you do not own an external hard drive, you can borrow one from the User Support Center. However, owning and using your own hard drive is recommended for future backups.

** You can also choose to migrate using your Network Drive (H: drive). This may be a good choice if you already use your Network drive for backup. However, if you have a lot of data to transfer (more than a few GB), it may be significantly slower than using an external hard drive. Instructions for using your Network Drive are included below, with adjustments noted where necessary.

Before you begin copying your data to the hard drive, please make a list of all of your non-Smith software and utilities. (For a list of standard software installed on all FCAP and staff computers, click here.)

Check the Applications and Applications/Utilities folders for non-standard applications. You will use this list later on to transfer your applications to the new Mac. (There are instructions for copying these applications onto your new Mac below, but you can also reinstall them from CD or DVD instead.)

We recommend that you also cleanup your desktop before transferring your data. Make a new folder on your desktop named "Stuff." Take all of the icons and files on your desktop and move them into the "Stuff" folder. This will make your migration easier and your computer will run faster without a cluttered desktop. (Of course, you can choose a different folder name.)

Part 1: Copy your files from your old Mac onto an external hard drive (or your Network Drive).

The instructions below use an application called iBackup to help you choose which files to backup. If you already use a different program to backup or a different method, you are not required to use iBackup.

  1. Plug in and turn on your external hard drive. It is best to begin with a blank drive. If you cannot use a blank drive, make a folder called usernameMigration and choose this folder in Step 4.
    If you are using your Network drive for the migration, connect to the DATAVOL now.

  2. iBackup is already installed on many FCAP Macs. Look for iBackup in the /Applications/ and /Applications/Utilities/ folders.

    If iBackup is not installed on your Mac, it is a free download. Download & install iBackup on your old Mac:

    1. Go to http://www.grapefruit.ch/iBackup/ and click "Download iBackup Now." On the versions page, choose the most recent file.

    2. Save the file and open it to install.

    3. The iBackup disk image will automatically mount itself and open an installation window. Drag the iBackup icon to the Applications folder alias. You may be asked for your password to continue.

    4. You may now unmount the disk image.

  3. Using the finder, navigate to the Applications folder and open iBackup. Accept the license agreement. Shortly after you have launched the program, iBackup will look for updates, install updates if they are offered. When you are finished updating, close the preferences window and return to the program’s main window.

  4. The Profile dropdown should be set to Backup. Next to the dropdown menu is the path of the folder where iBackup will copy your data. Click "Set…" in the top right corner of the iBackup window. Navigate to your external hard drive and click Choose.
    If you are using your Network drive for the migration, choose a location on your Network Drive for the backup files.

  5. Now you will choose which files and settings to migrate to your new Mac:
    1. Check System Settings to backup all of the settings and preferences listed on the right.

    2. Check Application Settings.

    3. Check the box next to your username (this backs up your home folder, including your Desktop, Documents, Library, Music, Movies, Pictures, and Sites).

    4. Remember! Your new Mac comes with a new image that includes updated versions of all of the software that your old Mac came with. You should backup only non-Smith software. If you do not use non-Smith software, SKIP THIS STEP.

      (For a list of standard software installed on all FCAP and staff computers, click here.)

      Also, some software may not be compatible with your new operating system. For a list of software that is not compatible with Leopard, visit: http://guides.macrumors.com/List:Applications_Not_Compatible_with_Leopard

      If you have non-Smith software that is compatible with your new computer to backup, select Applications, but do not check it. Browse the Applications and put a check next to those Applications that you want to migrate.

      Also check to see that your software is listed in the Applications Settings section. If it is not listed, you may need to use the original CDs or DVDs to install it on your new Mac.

  6. Click "backup now" in the lower right-hand corner of the program. Depending on how much data you have, this could take more than a few minutes.

  7. When the program is done copying your files, you may quit iBackup and unmount (eject) your external hard drive: either drag its icon (it will be orange with a FireWire symbol and the hard drive's name) trash or control-click on the hard drive's icon and choose Eject. Turn it off and unplug it from the computer.

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Part 2: Restore your files on your new Mac

iBackup is included in the new image, so you do not need to install it on your new Mac.

  1. Turn on your new Mac. If you have not already, create a new account with the same username that you used on your old Mac. Login to your personal account.

  2. Plug in and turn on your external hard drive.
    If you are using your Network drive for the migration, connect to the DATAVOL now.

  3. Open iBackup (in /Applications/Utilities/).

  4. Using the Profiles dropdown, choose Restore. Now choose the backup folder on your external hard drive.
    If you are using your Network drive for the migration, choose the backup folder on your Network Drive.

  5. Select System Settings on the left. On the right, select an item and press Command + A to mark all items. Click the space bar to select the items.

  6. Repeat the above for all of your smart folders on the left. (If you did not install any non-Smith software, you should only have System Settings, Application Settings, and your home folder as options.)

  7. Once you have selected everything that you want to migrate to your new Mac, click restore now in the bottom right-hand corner.

  8. Click OK to overwrite all selected items on your system. Again, depending on how much data you have, this could take more than a few minutes.

  9. When iBackup is done copying your data, logout and log back in. Check to see that everything you intended to copy is on your new system.

If you have any questions about this information, please contact the User Support Center at x4487.

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If You Use Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver does not store its user preferences the same way that other applications do. You will need to export your sites from your old Mac and re-import them on your new Mac. To export your sites:

  1. Open Dreamweaver and click Manage Sites.

  2. In the Manage Sites window, highlight the name of the site definitions you want to export and click Export. To export multiple site definitions at once, use the Shift and Command keys to select the sites you want.

  3. In the Export Site dialog box, select Back up my settings and click OK.

  4. In the next dialog box, navigate to your Home drive and save your site definitions in a folder (e.g., May 2013 site definitions). If you selected multiple site definitions, all will be copied into this folder even though only one filename shows in the field.

  5. Click Save.

  6. When you're finished, click Done to close the Manage Sites window.

  7. Once you have se tup your new Mac, open Dreamweaver and import your site definitions using the Site Manager. You will have to do this for each site, but only once.

Important: If your website files are stored on your hard drive, remember to copy them all to your Home drive before you get your new computer, being sure to maintain the file structure.

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If You Use a Xerox Multi-function Devices (MFD) for Printing

  1. Make sure you know your department account code, so you will be able to update your MFD configuration on your new computer.

  2. Once the iPrint driver for the MFD is installed on your new computer, you must also enter your account code before you can print. Follow these instructions to enter the code:

    http://www.smith.edu/its/tara/smith_network/mfd_printing.html#accountcode_mac

 

  

Copyright © 2013 Smith College Information Technology Services  |  Stoddard Hall 12
413.585.4487  |  Questions or comments?  Send us email.  |   Last updated May 9, 2013

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