how to connect 2 macs

[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.

 

[EndlessMac]

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.

 

[pigoo3]

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

 

[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.

 

[pigoo3]

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

 

[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. 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.

 

[pigoo3]

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

 

[EndlessMac]

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!

 

[the8thark]

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.

 

[pigoo3]

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

 

[baggss]

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.

 

[Mac SK]

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

 

[chas_m]

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!

 

[the8thark]

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

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?

 

[osburn]

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...

 

[pigoo3]

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?

- The 1996-1997 Powermac 8500 Mini-tower did not come with USB ports.
- The 1997 Powermac 8600 Mini-tower (the model that replaced the 8500)...also did not have USB ports.
- The 1997-1998 "Beige" Powermac G3 Mini-tower (the model that replaced the 8600) also did not have USB ports.

- It was not until the 1999 Powermac G3 (Blue & White)...did "Tower" design Powermac's come with USB ports.

It was eventually possible to upgrade the Powermac 8500, 8600, and the "Beige" Powermac G3 with a USB PCI expansion card. So if the OP has a Powermac 8500 with USB ports...I'm betting this 8500 has a USB expansion card.

- Nick

 

[Mac SK]

- The 1996-1997 Powermac 8500 Mini-tower did not come with USB ports.
- The 1997 Powermac 8600 Mini-tower (the model that replaced the 8500)...also did not have USB ports.
- The 1997-1998 "Beige" Powermac G3 Mini-tower (the model that replaced the 8600) also did not have USB ports.

- It was not until the 1999 Powermac G3 (Blue & White)...did "Tower" design Powermac's come with USB ports.

It was eventually possible to upgrade the Powermac 8500, 8600, and the "Beige" Powermac G3 with a USB PCI expansion card. So if the OP has a Powermac 8500 with USB ports...I'm betting this 8500 has a USB expansion card.

- Nick

10-4 good buddy..I have a card in my 8600. And on the secondary SCSI bus you can run as big a SCSI drive that you can afford or a multidrive blade.;D

 

[baggss]

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...

Maybe not. If your G4 is running any version of OSX 10.4 or lower you can install and run OS9 in the classic mode. You can buy OS9 discs cheap on E-Bay. OSX and OS9 will not interfere with each other and you can also boot the machine to OS9 directly (as well as OSX) via the Start-up disc control pane.

 

[Mac SK]

It needs to be a full retail disc and OS 9.2.2.

 

[pigoo3]

10-4 good buddy..I have a card in my 8600. And on the secondary SCSI bus you can run as big a SCSI drive that you can afford or a multidrive blade.;D

I have a USB card in my Powermac G3 minitower.

- Nick