Transfer Dropbox Backup to New Mac

[creblinho]

I recently bought a new Mac and used the Apple Migration Assistant to transfer all of my data from my old machine to my new one. This included the Dropbox folder and everything else. The migration went smoothly (in the past I have had issues migrating the Dropbox folder) and now I have all of my files on my new machine exactly as they appeared before. I used Dropbox Backup on my old machine, and so the Music, Movies and Pictures folders are stored inside the hidden folder titled "Mac" in the main Dropbox folder, and their original location is replaced with an alias.

I now would like to set up Dropbox Backup on my new machine to backup these folders exactly like it did on my old one. However, when I go into Dropbox preferences, it asks if I would like to backup my Mac and shows all of the unticked options for folders to backup.

I was wondering what the best way to setup Dropbox Backup on my new computer would be? Do I have to delete the backup, move the folders back into their original location and create a new backup? Or is there a way of telling Dropbox that this machine should inherit the backup of my old machine?

I am still currently in possession of my old machine so I can access things from there if necessary. I thought it would be best to wait and hear the correct way of doing this, since I have tried in the past to fix things very quickly myself making the situation worse, as I have seen other people with similar stories do.

[Mamede]

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for jumping in!!

I do have the app installed on both machines. All files already downloaded to the new Mac also.

I've started the new Mac as a "new Mac" and later decided to go on the migration assistant. How bad is that? 😬

[Nancy]

Thanks for clarifying, Pedro!

Can you also let me know what’s the syncing status of the Dropbox app on your new device? I’d like to make sure everything’s up to date, before taking any actions on the old computer.

[Mamede]

Hi Nancy,

I'ts syncronyzing everything. However, I want to disable one of the folders on my new mac, and it's not allowed, as seen on the second picture and on.

How can I safely delete my OLD MAC files without loosing anything?

Thankyou again,

Pedro

[Walter]

Hi there @Mamede - sorry to jump in here.

Can you please clarify what you mean you'd like to one folder from syncing on your computer? Are you referring to a folder that you had moved or copied in your Dropbox folder or a folder you had backed up to Dropbox using the Dropbox Backup feature (shown in your screenshots)? 

[Mamede]

Dear Walter,

Thanks for jumping in.

I'm in big trouble now. I was having problems with my backups, so I've decided to delete them all (the backup of this NEW Mac and the OLD Mac's I've migrated from too) so I could start a fresh backup, and then Reset the OLD Mac so I could sell it.

However, when I deleted the backups it also deleted my  NEW Mac's DOCUMENT folder and DESKTOP folder also (the ones chosen for the copy on DBox).

At this exact moment I can't even save the Screen Shot to my desktop folder, since it doesn't exist any more!! I've tried to restore the backup, but it has not brought back the folders, neither the files.

PLEASE HELP! I'm pretty desperate here.

Again, thank you for the help,

Pedro.

[Megan]

Hey @Mamede, have you checked your account's deleted files page, or into the recycle bin of your device, to see if you can find the deleted content there? 

Also, when you check your backup page online, what's the status of your Backup at the moment?