MacBook (Early 2008) and MacBook Pro (Early 2008): Migration Tips and Tricks
Summary
FireWire connections are still the fastest way to migrate applications and data from an older computer to your new computer, however, these new models now offer the ability to perform a system migration over network connections. This gives you more choices and flexibility in migrating your applications and data.
Products Affected
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)
Network migration
For network migration, a wired Ethernet connection is the fastest option. For the best experience, be sure to attach your source and target computers to the wired network before you start the migration.
To perform a wired (or wireless) network migration, please ensure that the computer you want to migrate data from has the "DVD or CD Sharing Setup" software installed. The installer can be found on DVD1 of the restore media that came with the computer, or it can be downloaded from here. The DVD or CD Sharing Setup software can be installed on Macs running either Mac OS X 10.4.10, 10.5 or later.
Wireless migration
If you don't have an Ethernet cable or a wired network, wireless migration can be used. For wireless migration, be sure to use the best wireless connection available. Before you begin, use the Signal Strength meter in the upper right corner of your screen to find the location with the strongest signal to your source computer. You may also want to eliminate potential sources of interference. The best wireless migration experience will be on an 802.11n network.
Starting your migration
When you start up your computer and select From another Mac on the "Do You Already Own a Mac?" screen, you will be asked to choose a migration method in subsequent screens. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up different migration methods.
- To use network migration, you'll need to install the DVD or CD Sharing Setup software found on DVD1, onto the source computer to enable the connection.
- If you choose not to migrate your applications and data right away, you can always migrate later using the Migration Assistant, located in Applications/Utilities.
- Avoid letting your source computer go to sleep while you are attempting to migrate.
To prevent your source computer from going to sleep during the migration.
- Go to System Preferences on the source computer.
- Click Energy Saver then select Custom in Optimization.
- Adjust the slider for "Put the computer asleep when it is inactive for..." to Never.
Additional Information
If you're looking for migration tips and tricks for the MacBook Air, please see this article.