iBook G4 data transfer to New iMac, Firewire to USB?

dtbarker · dtbarker #1 (**permalink**)

01-30-2010, 06:31 PM

I am a newbie, thanks in advance for letting me play in your sandbox.

I just purchased a new iMac (1/2010). I was surprised to learn there is no Firewire port on the back of the machine. Several years ago, with my old mac iBook, I backed-up data on a Firelight external hard drive and now need to transfer that data to the new iMac. I have lots and lots of cords, but of course, no Firewire to USB cord. Is there a way to transfer this data by hooking the external hard drive to the old iBook and then "networking" the two computers together to access the hard drive?

bobtomay · bobtomay #2 (**permalink**)

01-30-2010, 07:42 PM

1. There is a FW 800 port on the iMac.

2. There is no such thing as a USB to FW cable. The two are incompatible.

3. What type of connections does your external hard drive have? USB, FW400, FW800? If it's a FW400 drive, you can get a FW400 to FW800 cable.

dtbarker · dtbarker #3 (**permalink**)

01-30-2010, 07:52 PM

The external hard drive is FW400 I guess. It looks bigger than the square firewire hookup on the back of the new iMac. But, I think I follow what you are saying above and I just need to get a FW400 to FW800 cord. Thanks for your help. I wish there was a way to do the network thing to avoid having to buy a new cord, but, at least now I have a plan. Again, many thanks!

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #4 (**permalink**)

01-30-2010, 08:08 PM

You could do it via Network between the iBook and new iMac but Bobtomays suggestion would be much faster and easier. The FW800-400 converter or cable is not that much.

Also the cable/converter would come in handy down the road for hooking up the Firewire drive to the IMac for backup.

bobtomay · bobtomay #5 (**permalink**)

01-30-2010, 08:16 PM

You'll be looking for a FW 6 pin to 9 pin cable or adapter to use with your current cable. Prefer the cable myself, the fewer the connections the better.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #6 (**permalink**)

01-30-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

You'll be looking for a FW 6 pin to 9 pin cable or adapter to use with your current cable. Prefer the cable myself, the fewer the connections the better.

Agreed BTW. Less chance of a connection failing down the line.

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #7 (**permalink**)

01-31-2010, 04:14 AM

Quote:

I was surprised to learn there is no Firewire port on the back of the machine

Which one did u buy - seems the 21.5 and 27 both have Firewire 800??
Here is a converter
Firewire 800 to 400 Adapter
and FYI here are some figures from a transfer i did recently;
Copying 52,000 files and 58 GB USB 2.0 = 33 hour
Using Firewire 800 for same - 44 minutes

bobtomay #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-30-2010, 07:42 PM 1. There is a FW 800 port on the iMac. 2. There is no such thing as a USB to FW cable. The two are incompatible. 3. What type of connections does your external hard drive have? USB, FW400, FW800? If it's a FW400 drive, you can get a FW400 to FW800 cable. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,777 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	01-30-2010, 08:08 PM You could do it via Network between the iBook and new iMac but Bobtomays suggestion would be much faster and easier. The FW800-400 converter or cable is not that much. Also the cable/converter would come in handy down the road for hooking up the Firewire drive to the IMac for backup. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,788 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	01-30-2010, 08:16 PM You'll be looking for a FW 6 pin to 9 pin cable or adapter to use with your current cable. Prefer the cable myself, the fewer the connections the better. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

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iBook G4 data transfer to New iMac, Firewire to USB?

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dtbarker #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 30, 2010 Posts: 2	01-30-2010, 06:31 PM I am a newbie, thanks in advance for letting me play in your sandbox. I just purchased a new iMac (1/2010). I was surprised to learn there is no Firewire port on the back of the machine. Several years ago, with my old mac iBook, I backed-up data on a Firelight external hard drive and now need to transfer that data to the new iMac. I have lots and lots of cords, but of course, no Firewire to USB cord. Is there a way to transfer this data by hooking the external hard drive to the old iBook and then "networking" the two computers together to access the hard drive?
	QUOTE Thanks

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