Can't connect two macs via Ethernet cable

I don't know if this is relevant to your problem, but is Sharing enabled?

See this KB article (for OSX 10.4 - is this different in 10.5?). My 10.5 Help gives this (slightly differently worded) info:

You can use an Ethernet cable to connect two Macintosh computers and share files or play network games. To connect two computers using Ethernet:
1 Connect a standard Ethernet cable from the Ethernet port of one computer to the Ethernet port on the other. You don’t need to use an Ethernet crossover cable.
2 Choose Apple menu > System Preferences on both computers, and click Sharing. Note the computer name for the computers.
3 In the Finder on one of the computers, choose Go > “Connect to Server,” and then click Browse.
4 Double-click the other computer in the window and enter your password, if necessary.
5 If you manually configured the TCP/IP settings for the Ethernet service on the computer you are connecting to, you may need to enter that computer’s TCP/IP address in the Connect To Server dialog.
6 To see or set the TCP/IP address, open Network preferences and select Ethernet in the list.

If you're connecting two PCs together, you need what is called a "Crossover Cable".

No, you do NOT need a "crossover" Ethernet cable if you're connecting a Mac built in the last eight or so years to another Ethernet device. Macs built for quite a while now have an "autosensing" Ethernet port. The port will automatically determine if you're plugged into a hub/switch or another Ethernet device directly. If needed, the port will crossover the signal itself.

Both the MacBook and the iMac G5 have autosensing Ethernet ports. (You only need one of the devices to have it for it to function correctly.) Check out this Knowledge Base Article. There must be some other kind of problem here. To me, it sounds like it's just a bad cable.

-Doug

Since the new MacBooks don't support Firewire

This NEW Macbook does.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1874993&tstart=0

http://www.apple.com/macbook/white/specs.html

If you're connecting two PCs together, you need what is called a "Crossover Cable". It looks just like an Ethernet Cable, but several of the internal wires are crossed, which allow you to connect them.

See this link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossover_cable

If you have a router, just connect both PCs to that router, and they should be able to see each other without the need of a crossover cable.

Hope this helps.

jgoldsmithj wrote:
Thanks, Douglas. I have tried a couple different cables, one of them being a new CAT6 Networking Cable I purchased at the Apple Store, and the results aren't any different. I am afraid I am going to bite the bullet and do the Migration Assistance via my wireless network. It's going to take a LONG time.

Before you go that route, did you check to see that both computers were on the same network? With a router, dhcp automatically sets up everything for you. Since you're connecting ad hoc (computer to computer), i'm not sure if the network is automatically set up. What does it say on both computers in the Network Control Panel under "Ethernet"? You may have to assign each computer manually if "using dhcp" doesn't automatically recognize one computer from the other.

Are you certain the Ethernet port appears as an available network port in the Network System Preferences? (It should appear in the list of ports like Bluetooth and AirPort in the left-hand column in Mac OS X 10.5.x.) If one of the computers has the port disabled, neither computer will detect a connection.

If you plug two Macs together with an Ethernet cable, there will be no DHCP in between them. They should respond by self-assigning an IP address. This address is always on the same "network" so the two computers should be able to discover each other.

-Doug

I feel your pain, I was in the same boat. Even bought a 35 dollar firewire-firewire cable to do the transfer...should have my homework and realized the new MacBook doesn't have FW...I tried all sorts of things, network cable, through router, 4 GB flash drive (argh, stupidest idea ever), ended up using an old 60 GB iPod with the "Use as a hard drive" feature enabled. No monies to go buy a external hard drive, but will be in the works to utilize time machine.

Wireless network worked, took forever and I got frustrated.

Ipod took a while too, but it worked and now I"m enjoying my new computer while Old Whitey is resting in the closet.

To do this manually:

For Mail: go to Users/yourusername/Library/Mail and take that Mail folder across to your new Mac.

For applications: Macintosh HD/Applications and take that folder across. However, some applications may not be compatible with your new Mac (eg because they are Power PC-only ones), so I would open the Applications folder and take only the ones that I know are OK for the new machine.

That's how I did it from my G5 PPC to my Intel iMac. I had to check the specs of some apps and see whether they were binary or PPC-only. Use Get Info on the apps you are not sure of.

When I transfer my ITunes and IPhoto do I just drag the icons in Music and Pictures onto the new MacBook or is there another way. I got to get this right as I got loads of music and photos to transfer.

I assume I will need to sync my Ipod again then with my new MacBook ?

From the Music folder, drag the entire iTunes folder (it contains both the songs themselves and their metadata) over to your new MacBook.

From the Pictures folder, drag the iPhoto Library folder over to your new MacBook.

Yes, you'll have to resync your iPod.

Not really. What you'd be willing to pay for a 2005 iBook G4 ($150 or so) isn't worth what I get out of it. I stil have some things saved on the HD and use it to browse the internet once and a while if i leave the new one at school.

Is this diffiuclt to do as I will be getting my new MACBOOK soon and also got an G5 IMAC that I need to transfer stuff from.

Interested in getting rid of 'old whitey'?