[Macolyte]

I just got my second powerbook, a mini-upgrade from my previous 1 G Hz 15" TiBook. I keep my laptop backed up on an external drive with Retrospect Express, and the system on both PBs is the same (X.3.8). I am not good about keeping all the original CDs and serial #s from the software I have bought.
SO.... my question is, what is the best way to (re)install all of the software and files from my old to my new computer? Is there any way to do this so that a.) all the little preference and utility files from the applications stored in the system are maintained, and b.) to minimize the amount of re-installation of already purchased software?
Thanks for any and all help!!javascript:void(0)
Macolyte

[drmbb]

When you first boot the new computer, you will have the option of using the built in transfer utility. This has you connect the old machine via a firewaire cable, start the old machine in target mode (ie. hold the "T" key while it boots), then the utility will move everything over for you. This means your entire old user folder, all preferences and settings, plust things in Applications and Utilities.
When I did it in December (going from a revB TiBook to a AlBook) it worked pretty seemlessly, with a couple of exceptions, which may not even apply to you.
Any programs compiled from source, and placed in places like /usr/local/bin, where not moved (because that specific directory is not part of a default OS X install).
I had Apple's X11 installed on my old machine. The transfer utility moved X11.app from the Utilities folder, but did not move the necessary files from /usr/X11R6, nor /etc/X11, so I had to reinstall X11. Interestingly though, the utility did move my entire FINK directory (/sw) over perfectly.
While Office X and Endnote 6 were moved over fine, the first time I started Word it did not automagically start EndNote. After I started EndNote, shut both down, the Word link to EndNote worked correctly from then on.
Of course, it would be best to make absolutely sure everything is wunderbar on the old machine before you do this. If it is running smoothly now, then the transfer utility should do 99% of the work for you.