Migration Questions

xCelticWolfx · #1 July 1st, 2009, 05:22 PM

The time has come, I've finally gotten enough money to update my poor G4 to a G5. :P The G5 comes running Leopard and I think my G4 is still on Panther... Whatever OS X 3.9 is. Is this going to cause any major problems for me migrating things from one computer to the other?

First one's got to deal with iTunes. I have a massive music library which I've thrown onto external hard drives to save space. Unfortunately they're not organized too well. I like to keep my iTunes immaculate, however. I have about 5400 songs on iTunes and 7000+ files on my hard drives. If I export my iTunes library as a .xml file then hook my hard drives to my new Mac and re-sync it all, is it going to keep it all in one organized pile or put everything from my HDs to iTunes? Is there any way I can just get it all off of my iPod instead?

Also, any easy way to transfer my applications? I'd like to just drag and drop CS into my hard drives and load them onto my new computer, but I doubt it's that easy. Anyone know an easier way than just reinstalling everything?

My music is my most pressing issue as I don't want to have to re-organize it and delete duplicates, etc.

Thanks in advance!
-xCWx

xCelticWolfx · #2 July 2nd, 2009, 03:42 PM

Also, I exported my old library as June262009.xml
I got my new machine today and connected my external hard-drive. Now, can I just do file > library > import playlist and choose my .xml file?

Is there any easy way to use my old library .xml file in my new iTunes?

Thanks again!

djackmac · #3 July 2nd, 2009, 04:04 PM

Applications/utilities/migration assistant: follow the directions

xCelticWolfx · #4 July 2nd, 2009, 04:41 PM

Is that going to work with my iTunes library and metadata?

Satcomer · #5 July 2nd, 2009, 04:50 PM

YES. It will come into (a little slowly though so have a coffee) your old iTunes Library. Then when you launch the new iTunes it will update that Library and ask to to "Authenticate" the new Mac. so then go back to your old G4 and de-authenticate it before you trash or sell it or give it away.

I have done this before and it works beautifully.

djackmac · #6 July 2nd, 2009, 04:50 PM

If I'm understanding correctly your itunes is on a separate HD outside the user folder? If that is the case and you just dragged your music folder onto the external. After you run migration assistant you can just drag the contents of the music folder from the external and back into the music folder under the user and everything should be fine.

ElDiabloConCaca · #7 July 2nd, 2009, 05:36 PM

That depends on whether just the music is stored on the external drive and the iTunes library is stored in /Users/username/Music (like with my own setup), or whether the entire iTunes library and music files are stored on the external.

With the former setup, simply dragging the music files back into a new instance of iTunes will not preserve old playlists, smart playlists, ratings, etc. With the latter, it will (or, rather, it should).

xCelticWolfx · #8 July 2nd, 2009, 05:45 PM

My actual iTunes program is on my G4, at least, the one I use.

I'm going to be updating that as well on the G5.

But now I'm having a problem running the Migration Assistant.
I boot up my G4, open Migration Assistant on the G5, follow the steps about connecting, etc. then when it comes time to select the system to transfer, it only shows my eDrive("GeeFive")

I'm sure I'm missing some integral part, anyone know what? XD

Thanks again!

El Diablo: My set-up is all my music is on the external drive, while the iTunes library is on my /Music on the G4.

Like yours. :P