Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Transfer data from the old drive to the new drive

In case of transferring the data, Apple recommends to install a fresh copy of OS X and then use Migration Assistant for the user data. As while using the computers, the leftover is collected frequently from installers such as old applications, various logs, several files etc. But if we intend to do fresh installation, we can easily wipe out all the data to increase the performance and stability. This method is known as 'Clean Start'. The steps to transfer the files are as follows:




1) Select the right drive to install in your computer

Make sure that you have chosen the right drive, as the wrong one will spoil the whole process at once.

2) Make sure that both the drives are connected at the same time

For transferring the data, the original drive and the new drive should be connected at the same time. In case of single drive computer, you need a peripheral device to connect it to your old drive right after the new installation of the hard drive. Now, if we talk about rare cases, when you can't connect your old drive externally, then you need to make a clone of your original drive to an external drive.

3) Install the new drive

Installing the hard drive is fairly simple to do. If you need any assistance follow these steps: Install a hard drive

4) Connect old drive externally

Now next step is to connect the cloned external drive to your computer with the necessary cables and devices. For cloning using a software, click here:




5) Boot to OS X recovery system

To further start the booting process, hold the command- R at start up and then select the suited language that you want and start the process.

6) Format the new hard drive

In every OS X, there is the option of Disk Utility to format the hard drive. After opening the Disk Utility, select the new drive from the list present on the left side. Then just press the 'Erase' tab on the right. Set the volume format to 'Mac OS Extended(Journaled)' which is a recommended format for OS X. Now select the name of your own choice and select 'Erase' button.

7) Install OS X on new drive

Now, from the Mac OS X Utilities screen, select 'Reinstall Mac OS X'. Just follow the on screen instruction, which are straightforward enough to carry on the task. Once you fill the required field, the actual install will start which will take time.

8) Transfer the data to the new drive using Migration Assistant

After the OS X has installed successfully, your computer will restart to the new drive. Now several prompts will be there, where it will ask you to import user data from another system. Basically this part uses Apple's built in application called Migration Assistant Utility. Next step is to transfer the user information from another disk and press on to the 'Continue' button to start the procedure. Now, a list will come where you can select the number of users over to your new drive. Also select applications and network settings accordingly. Now, click on the 'Transfer' button and you are done. After that continue the rest of the steps as above and boot to your new drive.

9) Run Software Update

Once the setup has been done, go to Apple menu and choose 'Software Update'. Do select all the updates. Restart the computer to see the changes.

10) Repair Disk permissions

Now, next step is to repair the permissions using 'Disk Utility'. Select Disk Utility and choose First Aid option from it. After choosing, click on Repair disk Permissions.

11) Lastly check the files

Now, last step is to run applications and see whether everything runs well. Once you are done with the checking, then you are ready to go.