Connecting Tiger to 0S 9.2 via firewire?

August 10, 2005 12:30 AM

Is there a way to connect an iMac running Tiger with a G4 running OS 9.2 via firewire so I can transfer files from my old system to the new one?

Holding down the "T" key on the G4 during startup doesn't seem to be doing the trick. My Google research has failed but I'm guessing this is easy (for the Mac inclined).

posted by quadog to technology (10 comments total)

If you have a first generation G4 (green power button) it will not start up in Firewire target mode.

Only second- and subsequent generation G4s (white power button) will go into FW target mode.

Note that your iMac will start into target mode, even if your G4 won't, and you can always move files in the other direction.
posted by Rothko at 12:37 AM on August 10, 2005

Does your target machine match the requirements as listed on this Apple Support page?

If not (or if it does and it still doesn't work), try reversing it. Put the iMac into target mode and connect the older machine to it. Then just drop files from that system onto the iMac's mounted HD.

(A tip for target mode: boot up the target machine first, and don't connect the cable until you see the FW logo on its screen.)
posted by toddshot at 12:40 AM on August 10, 2005

My G4 is first generation so I tried the reverse psychology approach with my systems. The iMac HD mounted on the G4 just fine. While this solves the problem, I assume I'll have to connect them via ethernet in order to set up a more manageable network?
posted by quadog at 1:58 AM on August 10, 2005

BTW, thanks for the quick advice.
posted by quadog at 2:00 AM on August 10, 2005

Your assumption is right. Both have filesharing capabilities too. Just toss in a router, make them both dynamic IPs and they can share both files & your net connection.
posted by filmgeek at 7:21 AM on August 10, 2005

P.S. Put OSX on the G4.
posted by filmgeek at 7:21 AM on August 10, 2005

If you put OS X on the G4, you could use IP over Firewire for filesharing.
posted by zsazsa at 7:36 AM on August 10, 2005

or just use a ethernet crossover cable and personal filesharing over appletalk. If you have a hub, skip the crossover cable.
posted by cccorlew at 8:08 AM on August 10, 2005

Using a crossover cable is not necessary. The ports auto-sense the cable type and switch automatically if necessary.
posted by pmbuko at 11:49 AM on August 10, 2005

1st gen g4s work great with os x. I have panther installed on my blue and white g3 after getting tiger for my g5 imac and it runs well for being a six year old computer.
posted by CCK at 4:28 PM on August 10, 2005