Time Machine to install programs to new MBP

[samintx]

I want to install the stuff on this MBP#1 to an identical MBP#2 with my Time Machine backup from this MBP#1. Can I? then I can reformat this crappy system on current MBP#1 that does weird things.

[mrlynn]

You have two identical MBPs?

I don't know any reason why you can't restore all the files from the #1 TM backup onto #2. But if #1 was doing "weird things," then you might be copying over the corrupted system files or defective programs or whatever caused the "weird things" from #1 to #2. That won't gain you anything (except headaches).

Best practice, I would assume, is to install a fresh OS on #2, then reinstall all the essential applications (making sure they're up-to-date and compatible with the OS) and then restore the data files.

/Mr Lynn

[Chakravartin]

Make sure that the user accounts on MBP#2 do not have the same names as MBP#1.

Then use the Migration Assistant.

But -- as was mentioned -- migrating your old stuff to the new Mac could bring over all the badness from the first Mac, at least for your main user account.

[samintx]

yes I thought of that...grrrrr but if it does install the weird things on #2 I can wipe it with a clean format.