04-11-2010, 11:40 PM

I just got my new G4 up & running. How can I transfer files from my old PowerPC 8500 to my new G4? The old one does not have FireWire but does have Ethernet and USB ports.

04-12-2010, 03:20 AM

Without Firewire ports it will make it harder to do and since it sounds like you are using older OS X you probably won't have Migration Assistant either. The only thing I can think of is to network the two computers together. If you can't do this then there is always the slow way of manually transferring files over with either a USB memory stick or with DVDs. Maybe someone else can think of another way.

04-12-2010, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by osburn

I just got my new G4 up & running. How can I transfer files from my old PowerPC 8500 to my new G4? The old one does not have FireWire but does have Ethernet and USB ports.

Just use the ethernet. You will be fine.

- Nick

04-12-2010, 09:46 AM

Yes, I thought ethernet would do it, but how to do it is the question? do you have to set up a "new network"? I was poking around with that idea and it was asking for IP addresses and things I really don't know.

04-12-2010, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by osburn

Yes, I thought ethernet would do it, but how to do it is the question? do you have to set up a "new network"? I was poking around with that idea and it was asking for IP addresses and things I really don't know.

I'm not sure what version of the Mac OS you're using on your two computers...but go to:

- the "Finder/desktop" on your G4
- go to the "help" drop down menu
- search for "Connecting two computers using ethernet"

That should help,

- Nick

04-12-2010, 03:21 PM

Another way to get the material off your 8500 is to take out the hard drive, not difficult, and connect it via a SCSI-USB adaptor, like these http://www.scsiusbadapter.com/amazon. To be candid, that's the way I'd do it in your situation.

I have to advise you that networking an OS X and an OS 8 or 9 (I assume) machine is not a simple matter. I had to do it with my old G3 Beige when I first tottered nervously into the world of OS X. Flash drives too are a something of a lottery, as USB and OS 9 were not always the best of friends.

04-12-2010, 04:29 PM

As "Hughvane" mentioned. "Ethernetting" two Macintosh's (one with OS 8 or 9 & one with OS 10)...may not be straight forward. So give the ethernet idea a try...and see if it works. If not, it may take some trouble-shooting.

Or try "Hugh's" other idea.

- Nick

04-12-2010, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by hughvane

Another way to get the material off your 8500 is to take out the hard drive, not difficult, and connect it via a SCSI-USB adaptor, like these http://www.scsiusbadapter.com/amazon.

That's a good idea. Nice suggestion hughvane!

04-12-2010, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by EndlessMac

If you can't do this then there is always the slow way of manually transferring files over with either a USB memory stick or with DVDs. Maybe someone else can think of another way.

There is always a external HD as an option. Best make it USB so both Macs can read/write to it.

04-12-2010, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by the8thark

There is always a external HD as an option. Best make it USB so both Macs can read/write to it.

This is normally a GREAT idea...but the Powermac 8500 does not have USB (unless an aftermarket USB card is installed).

- Nick

04-12-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by osburn

Yes, I thought ethernet would do it, but how to do it is the question? do you have to set up a "new network"? I was poking around with that idea and it was asking for IP addresses and things I really don't know.

Connect both machines via Ethernet, enable Apple Talk on both machines and log in to one machine from the other. Alternatly you can enable file sharing on both machines and it should work just as well.

04-12-2010, 11:33 PM

Your going to need a hub unless you have a crossover cable.

04-13-2010, 01:44 AM

You guys are all overthinking the problem.

A Powermac 8500 from a million years ago is not going to have very many files that will work on the newer G4 (which I presume is running OS X). All he has to worry about is his own documents, photos, movies and music. And there can't be much of that because the 8500 is physically incapable of having a very large capacity hard drive.

Both machines have USB. So the obvious solution is .... thumb drive!

04-13-2010, 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

but the Powermac 8500 does not have USB (unless an aftermarket USB card is installed).

Originally Posted by chas_m

Both machines have USB.

I see conflicting information here. Which is correct?

According to the Mactracker application there is no standard USB port. But does chas_m know something we do not?

04-13-2010, 07:25 AM

My PowerMac 8500 does indeed have a USB port in back.

As to my original difficulty, I have successfully connected the two computers using Ethernet. However, some of the old files I transferred cannot be opened with programs running OS X, they require OS 9, which is apparently not installed on my G4. I do not have an OS 9 installation disc to put it on the G4, so I'm still hosed...