Transfer files between iMac G4 20" and iMac 27" late 2009

[Lamboom]

Hi.. There have been posts here about using a FW400 to FW800 adapter cable and Migration Assistant... (Will try that after the adapter gets here from Amazon.) I have tried the Ethernet connection as suggested by other posts.. and that does not work. Migration Assistant can find the G4, but it is not an acceptable source to transfer to the newer iMac using an Ethernet connection between the two.. or on a shared network

The "from" (Source) iMac 20" 1.25 Ghz PowerPC G4, is running OS 10.5.8 And,
The "To" (Target) iMac 27" (late 2009) 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, is running OS 10.10.5 Yosemite

Is there any easy way these two can transfer files. one or both ways?

Thanks much, Regards, Michael

 

[pigoo3]

10.5.8 and 10.10.5 are too far apart for Migration Assitant to work. If the Apple document linked below is read...it says that the older Mac needs to be running at least OS 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) or later. As you mentioned...the older G4 iMac is running 10.5.8 (too old):

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350

On the positive side...Migration Assistant is simply an app that makes the transfer of apps & files from one computer to another computer easier. If Migration Assistant cannot be used (as it seems to be in this case)...you can still manually transfer all the files...it just takes more work. Obviously any apps on the old iMac G4 will not run on the the newer 2009 27" iMac running 10.10.5. So all that needs to be transferred are files like music, videos, photos, MS Office like files, files that may have come from various Adobe apps...etc.

HTH,

- Nick

 

[Lamboom]

Thanks for the quick reply.. I wasn't complaining about anything ... only the fact that what looked like a solution. wasn't a solution any more.. Please highlight my complaints... It will help me to avoid triggering hostilities in the future. Your explanation is thoughtful, and seems quite complete .. something that once worked.. no longer does .. and, it's nice to learn why. When someone says a "solution" doesn't work... it's just a simple fact, not a complaint... more like a sadness, and a disappointment ... nothing against the forum. Just the reality of failure... and a quest for a solution.

When you say it can still be done manually, I assume you mean to transfer the files (movies, photos etc) to USB drive, then on to the 27" iMac ... I can do that ... and will abandon the notion that the two computers can be connected in any meaningful manor.

Thanks, Regards, Michael
PS: sorry about any nasty things I said in the 6 year old thread .. I'm gonna have to go back and review that....

 

[pm-r]

tried the Ethernet connection as suggested by other posts

I can't recall if it was needed, but did you try using a "cross-over Ethernet" cable???

My brain's tired for the day and I'll check tomorrow.



- Patrick
======

 

[Slydude]

You might be on to something there Patrick. Newer Macs can be directly to each 9other using a standard ethernet cable. I don't remember exactly when Apple made this change but for the longest time connecting two Macs required either a crossover cable or a router and standard ethernet cables.

 

[chscag]

Can't he use Target Disk Mode between the iMac G4 and the 2009 27" iMac?

 

[pigoo3]

OP's main question was could Migration Assistant be used to transfer the data...and it would seem that the OS versions between the two computers are too far apart. Lots of methods to connect the two for any sort of transfer...including WiFi (assuming the iMac G4 has an Airport card installed). Although WiFi would be slow.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Can't he use Target Disk Mode between the iMac G4 and the 2009 27" iMac?

That might be the easiest if they have a Firewire cable, as both those Macs have the FW ports and are supported:
Use target disk mode to share files between two Mac computers
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201462

Or even just enable their wireless file sharing.

PS: For that as I recall, Apple wants one to use the username's Public folder without doing a lot of geeky and admin permission changing workarounds.




- Patrick
======

 

[pm-r]

..including WiFi (assuming the iMac G4 has an Airport card installed). Although WiFi would be slow.

The G4 it seems would be the Flat Panel iNac model which does have fairly fast wireless built-in, and it's sure still much faster than typing.




- Patrick
======

 

[Lamboom]

Target **** mode

The G4 it seems would be the Flat Panel iNac model which does have fairly fast wireless built-in, and it's sure still much faster than typing.

- Patrick
======

Wow.. So many comments.. Thanks Much! I may be jumping in at the wrong place.. But I did try Target disk mode using the Ethernet cable.. But, that didn't work.. Now.. a CROSSOVER Ethernet is interesting! I have some , and tomorrow, I'll have a FW400 to FW800 adapter firewire setup to try... in Target disk mode.

I have been having fun transferring movies and still pics via a USB thumb drive...

Methinks Pigoo3 is correct The G4 is a pedestal Mac (10.5.8) & the 27" Late 2009 ...is !0.10.5 so,, Migration Asst is not likely to work...

When both are connected (wired) to the LAN .. they both show up .. on the IP scanner; however, I'm a bit clueless at having one computer interact with another over the network.. I'm lucky to print a document using a printer on the network.. sending a file from one Mac to another Mac (with different OS) is way outside my pay grade.

Best Regards, Michael

 

[pigoo3]

I have been having fun transferring movies and still pics via a USB thumb drive...

If you find transferring the files from one Mac to the other Mac via cable or network a has bit of a learning curve associated with it...then do what you've been doing...use the USB thumb drive to copy & transfer your files. It may take a bit longer...but shouldn't be too bad. The hard drive in that old iMac G4 (if it's the original drive) is around only 80 gig. So it doesn't hold too much.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

@Lamboom

But I did try Target disk mode using the Ethernet cable.. But, that didn't work..

As you found out, you cannot use and Target disk mode does not work with an Ethernet cable. But an Ethernet cable can be used for file transfer, assuming you use the correct one.

And I finally found the "crossover ethernet compatibility" list:
Apple products that require an Ethernet crossover cable
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT2274




- Patrick
======

 

[harryb2448]

Target Disk Mode will work via the FW400 port on the G4 and the FW800 on the late 2009 model. It will work at the FW400 speed. Have a read of this, michael:-


https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201462

 

[Lamboom]

Target Disk Mode will work via the FW400 port on the G4 and the FW800 on the late 2009 model. It will work at the FW400 speed. Have a read of this, michael:-

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201462

Great info... Thanks much. Going to try all possibilities .. and will report if successful.

And Thanks Patrick .. I bet that info is useful to many on this Forum.. Now to find my crossover Ethernet cables.. (I did use a sharpie to label them) "It's not what you have that matters.. it's what you have that you can find"

 

[pm-r]

"It's not what you have that matters.. it's what you have that you can find"

Which can often be complicated by having a spouse that has a compulsive "put-awayitus" habit and compounded further by a "can't-recall-whereitus" syndrome!!!




- Patrick
======

 

[Slydude]

"It's not what you have that matters.. it's what you have that you can find"

ROTFL. In my case, when it comes to wires and cables, it's what you can find and untangle​.

 

[Lamboom]

Target Disk Mode will work via the FW400 port on the G4 and the FW800 on the late 2009 model. It will work at the FW400 speed. Have a read of this, michael:-


https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201462

It worked with a firewire 400-800 adapter ... thanks much!