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

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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

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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.
 
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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


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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

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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


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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.
 
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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
 

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