Macworld - With the release of new Power Mac G5s this week (see story), Apple Computer Inc. has also introduced a system migration feature in its Setup Assistant application to help users make the transition from their old computer to the new one. It's designed to ameliorate the copying of applications, files, folders, user account information and system preferences from old to new hardware, using FireWire to bridge a connection.
"One of the things we hear from people is that they are concerned about getting a new computer because they are worried about what happens to their old data," said Chris Bourdon, product manager for Mac OS X.
When you first boot your new G5, the first thing you will be asked by the Setup Assistant is if you have an old computer you would like to migrate data from. If you answer yes, setup assistant instructs you to plug a FireWire in from the new machine to the old one and restart the old computer in FireWire Target Disk mode (hold down the "T" key on restart).
Once you have restarted, Setup Assistant on the new G5 recognizes the old computer and gives you a list of available user accounts to import including all documents, preferences, photos, music and passwords. You are also given the option to copy over any other files you may have put on the old computer.
Setup Assistant will also copy over any applications that you installed on the old computer. The software has also been configured to avoid overwriting any new applications with older versions.
All permissions, user settings and admin privileges are maintained during the move. And if you're not ready to use the system migration tool when you first get your new G5, it can be run anytime by opening the Setup Assistant application in the Utilities folder.
For now, this new feature is available only on the new G5s. Bourdon declined to comment on when or if it would be available in other hardware products or as a stand-alone product in Mac OS X.
"It really should alleviate any concern people have about upgrading their computer," said Bourdon.
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