Moving LR2 from emac to new Imac? How?

James Greed

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I'm soon to be getting an Imac (thanks Jon Tucker!) and I need to move Lightroom 2 and all of the files i've created with it to the new machine. I'm not great with technology so if anyone can give me a step by step on how to move everything across i'd really appreciate it!
 
You've got a couple of options

Export all the images as a catalogue, remembering to include the "negatives". This copies everything including the images, thumbnails and catalogue details to a set of files which you can then "Import Catalog" . Only drawback is it takes some time..

The second method is to copy the Lightroom data from the old machine and reinstall it on the new one. Not difficult.

First load Lightroom onto your Mac

Now on the old machine locate the Lightroom catalogue files. They are in <user> Pictures/ Lightroom. Now simply move them to the same location on the new machine.

Once done copy the images to their new home. When you start Lightroom it will ask you what catalogue you want to use. Simply navigate to your catalogue and click on it Lightroom will now use this as default. If you get question marks on the images, it means that Lightroom has lost track of the image files. This can happen if the new location is not the same as the old. Simply right click on the root folder and select "Update folder location"navigate to the new location of the root folder, and Lightroom will update everything automatically.

Don't delete anything until you have confirmed everything has gone well. Then back everything up.

It's not difficult I've done this several times when moving computers and it works well.

One point, you may want to get a network crossover cable and transfer images this way. beats using most other methods
 
Cool, thanks for your help.

What if i've not got the lightroom2 installation discs?

Can i get the software from emac to imac via ethernet??
 
Provided you've got the activation code for the software, you can download Lightroom from the Adobe web site and install it that way
 
Or just use Migration Assistant to move Lightroom to your new computer with everything else (user accounts, Mail, any other software, etc.)?

I did it last week with LR3 when moving my home setup from an old PowerMac G5 to a new MacPro (and I do it often when moving users around on Macs at work).
 
Really, use Migration Assistant.

It's easier.

It moves everything you have onto the new computer, not just Lightroom.
 
Connecting the two Mac physically:

Which iMac have you bought? (If I understand correctly it's second hand)

If it has a FireWire 400 port (same as your eMac) then you'll just need a Firewire 400 cable.

If it is relatively new (a 2009 model or later) and has only a FireWire 800, you'll need to get either a FireWire 400 to 800 cable or adapter.


Which OS is the eMac running?

If it's using Mac OS X 10.5, you have the option of using Ethernet.

If it's on 10.4, you'll have no choice but to use FireWire.
 
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Yeah, lightroom runs on it- just a bit slow!

I've bought a 24" imac (june 08 version i beleive)

I'll try the migration assistant via Airport or ethernet cable i think.
 
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