Transferring of files from PC to Mac

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Transferring of files from PC to Mac

I'm trying to transfer my files from an old Gateway computer to a Mac. The Gateway is running Windows 98 and the Mac is running Mac OS X 10.6.4. The Gateway is basically a hunk of **** and will not accept USB drives nor burnable compact disks. My only option to my knowledge is the direct connect with the Ethernet cable. Thing is I have tried this method http://www.ehow.com/how4750653files-pc-mac-using-ethernet.html and the support method of this:
Direct connect
To move files by connecting your Mac directly to your PC:

Connect your Mac to your PC using a standard Ethernet cable.
Make sure that both computers are turned on.
In the Finder on your Mac, choose Connect to Server from the Go menu to open the window.
Type your PC's network address in the Server Address text box using one of these formats:
smb://DNSname/ShareName
smb://IPaddress/ShareName
Click Connect.
Follow the onscreen instructions to enter your PC's workgroup name, user name, password, and the volume or folder you wish to access.
Your PC volume should appear on your Mac Desktop.
Open the volume and drag and drop files directly from it to anywhere on your Mac.
When finished, drag your PC volume to the Trash to unmount it.

but they are currently not working for me. This one might actually work if I knew what and how to find the DNSname/ShareName or the IPaddress/Sharename. Does a computer not have to be connected to the internet to have an IP address? What in God's name is DNS name and ShareName? I understand most all of you that answer questions on here stay busier than a cat with diarrhea on a marble floor and have probably answered this question before but I would really appreciate the help. Remember if you do answer my question keep it to layman's terms please.
Thanks,
Scott

MacBook Pro 2.16Ghz Core 2 Duo

Posted on Aug 31, 2010 3:28 PM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Aug 31, 2010 4:21 PM in response to ScottWill

On the PC, right click on C: and when the properties appear click Sharing and enable sharing of the entire volume.

The Properties Window will also show you what that PC was named when first setup, mine's called 'Pentium4' but it could be anything ... (note down the name as this is the 'ShareName'

Then open Control Panels/Network Connections and you should see a Local one, right click on that and click Status and you should be able to see what IP number the PC has allocated to itself - it might be 192.168.2.n or another range it's hard to say (note the IP# as this is the IPaddress)

On the Mac, open System Preferences/Sharing and check 'File Sharing' then click the Options button and check "Share Files and Folder using SMB (Windows)" then close that panel.

On the Mac Desktop Finder top menu bar select Go/Connect to Server and when that window appears enter:
smb://IPaddress/Sharename on mine its smb://192.168.2.6/Pentium4 and hit <return> and you should then get a login window for the PC, enter a username and password that exists on that system and you'll then get a window for the PC and you can drag files across from there to your Mac.

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Answer 2

ScottWill Author

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Aug 31, 2010 5:10 PM in response to iVmichael

Thanks for your help but I'm still having problems with step two and three. I don't think you understand my stupidity when it comes to computers. No where does it read this is the name of said computer. It reads "System:, Registered by: and Manufactured and supported by:" then words and numbers etc. Am I even at the right place for the sharename? Then with the control panel/network connections. I don't see anything that reads local. I have the following: Client for Microsoft Networks, Dial Up Adapter, SMC EZ Card 10/100 PC1 (SMC1211 Series), TCP/IP ->Dial Up Adapter, and finally TCP/IP -> SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI (SMC1211). When I right click on them it reads "What's this?" Remember Michael you're dealing with a moron here. Any more help would be greatly appreciated.
Keep up the good work,
Scott

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Answer 3

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Aug 31, 2010 5:27 PM in response to ScottWill

OK let's focus on finding the name of the PC and it's IP number.

1) Make sure the Ethernet cable is connected and both machines are powered up, if the cable isn't connected or there's no power then this isn't going to yield results.

2) On the PC > Start > Control Panels > System
In the window that opens click the Computer Name Tab
Computer Description = ShareName (make a note)
Close the panel

3) Open Control Panels > Network Connections
I think the one we need to look at is 'SMC EZ Card 10/100'
Right clicking should give you a Status option, then clicking Support should show the IP (IPaddress)
ONE of those has to be the Ethernet connection ...

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Answer 4

ScottWill Author

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Aug 31, 2010 6:04 PM in response to iVmichael

1) This is done.
2) My computer does not read anything about "Computer Name Tab Computer Description." I have taken a photo with my iphone to prove it yet I don't believe I can upload pictures on here. Can the name be a series of numbers?
3) I can left click on the options. I cannot right click on them. When I do it reads "What's this?" I have taken a photo of this also. By status do you mean "Properties?"
I'm so sorry about this. Don't give up.
Scott

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Answer 5

CMCSK

Level 6

11,452 points

Aug 31, 2010 6:36 PM in response to ScottWill

I have taken a photo with my iphone to prove it yet *I don't believe I can upload pictures on here.*

User Tips Library: How can I format my post?

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Answer 6

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Aug 31, 2010 7:02 PM in response to ScottWill

Computer Description might be a series of numbers it depends how it was originally set up.

Status usually shows by right clicking on them, otherwise Properties will open a window and you should be able to then select a subset Tab from there that shows the Status of that connection ...

Your images must be stored on an external server and you then put an 'img src=URL' link into your post here (previous poster provided a link how to)

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Answer 7

ScottWill Author

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Aug 31, 2010 7:52 PM in response to iVmichael

Ok I found my computer name with the help of this website http://helpdesk.rpi.edu/update.do?artcenterkey=142 Windows 98 isn't the same as later versions. Name of computer is 0019962307. Woohoo! Now I have to find the IP address.

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Answer 8

ScottWill Author

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Aug 31, 2010 8:17 PM in response to ScottWill

The IP address for the ethernet is 169.254.233.96 and the name is 0019962307. I entered the info smb://169.254.233.96/0019962307 in the connect to server. It had my name and asked for a password so I entered one it searched and came back with a message reading something about the connection failing and contacting the system administrator. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Scott

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Answer 9

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Aug 31, 2010 10:32 PM in response to ScottWill

In Windows open Control Panels> Accounts - create a new one and allocate a password, then try logging in with that.

Make sure that the PC Sharing was setup correctly as I advised in my earlier email.

Make sure the Ethernet Cable is connected.

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Answer 10

ScottWill Author

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Sep 1, 2010 8:39 AM in response to iVmichael

"Accounts" do not exist in the Control Panel on Windows 98. I have something that reads "users." I did make a new one with that but I'm still getting the connection failed and the message along with it. Should I just give up and say to **** with it?
Thanks,
Scott

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Answer 11

ScottWill Author

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Sep 1, 2010 10:01 AM in response to ScottWill

I FINALLY DID IT! Instead of putting the computer name in after the ip address I put in "My Pictures" and it worked! I just put everything I needed over into the My Pictures folder on the pc and everything came over fine.Thanks Michael for you help.
Scott

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Answer 12

iVmichael

Level 6

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Sep 1, 2010 2:55 PM in response to ScottWill

Sheesh ! Glad it all worked in the end though.

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Answer 13

Sep 10, 2010 8:19 PM in response to ScottWill

Thanks for the thread guys. New to mac and im having the same problem in the same situation. I get to the point where mac asks for my name and password and i KNOW im entering correct information but it says invalid. Created a new User account and still no go. What do i do

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Answer 14

ScottWill Author

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Sep 14, 2010 1:11 PM in response to Chris Hill2

Hi Chris,
The new user account you created, was that on the new computer or the old one?

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Answer 15

Sep 18, 2010 10:40 PM in response to ScottWill

It was on the old one.

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