File transfer from OS 8.5 to OSX

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File transfer from OS 8.5 to OSX

Hello. I have a PowerBook G3 running 8.5. I need to get the files on to my current and up to date iMac before my PowerBook goes kaput. My iMac is on a wireless network, and I plugged my PowerBook into the router with an ethernet cable. However, I have been unsuccessful with File Sharing. I cannot see my PowerBook on my iMac. Also, is it possible to use an ethernet cable to connect them directly? If so, do I need a crossover cable? I am hesitant to connect them with a regular ethernet cable lest a motherboard fry. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

iMac 27" 3.2 i3, Mac OS X (10.6.7), iPhone 4, iPad 2

Posted on May 15, 2011 12:23 AM

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Answer 1

May 15, 2011 6:26 PM in response to jst4

A Mac that runs Mac OS X can generally adapt to any-old Ethernet cable, crossover not required. But that will not help you.

8.5 includes support for IP sharing (the "server IP address" button in the Chooser) but 10.6 is too advanced to talk to it any more. It still works under 10.5, but not 10.6.

OS 9 supports IP File Sharing because it includes a custom version of SharewayIP, still available from Open Door Software, but not free.

You could email some files to yourself (include the files as attachments).

If your old powerbook has USB, you could use a thumb drive.

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Answer 2

May 21, 2011 6:44 PM in response to jst4

It may be possible with the Mac OS 8 and X built-in file sharing capabilities, but I never had luck with file sharing between OS 9 and X myself and gave up trying to make it work.

However, another method, also built in to both OS 8 and X is the web server, or personal web sharing I think that was built in to OS 8. Host a web server on the G3 and then move files that you want to transfer into the shared web folder, you can use aliased folders or Stuffit Archives to help organize things.

Another option is to set up an FTP server on the OS 8 machine using NCSA Telnet or Better Telnet, if the downloads are still available?

http://www.macorchard.com/classic/terminal/NCSATelnet.php

http://www.club.cc.cmu.edu/~rbraun/macssh/

FTP clients are available for OS X, including built-in UNIX command-line in Terminal, or CyberDuck or FileZilla.

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php

http://cyberduck.ch/

if you are concerned about security, you can keep the FTP and HTTP ports on your router firewall closed, then no outside internet traffic can get to your local LAN ftp/http server.

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