fudgenut

Q: Transfer data from Powerbook 180 to G3 or iMac.

I'm trying to transfer data from a Powerbook 180 to a G3 or an iMac. It appears the simplest way is to connect them with an ethernet cable.  However, the Powerbook doesn't have an ethernet port, so I was trying to track down an adapter, and a Farallon Phone Net connector came up.  I have one of those.  Is there some way I can rig it up to connect the computers that doesn't require a phone line?

 

Thanks!

Powerbook 180

Posted on Jul 15, 2011 9:58 AM

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Q: Transfer data from Powerbook 180 to G3 or iMac.

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  • by Appaloosa mac man,Helpful

    Appaloosa mac man Appaloosa mac man Jul 15, 2011 11:45 AM in response to fudgenut
    Level 5 (4,330 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 11:45 AM in response to fudgenut

    Jan is the expert at that.  Hopefully he will notice and pick up.

     

    I tried looking for the 180 but only found the 1400cs for now.  I do not recall any ethernet options on the PB180.

     

    LapLink Mac sold software that would let you quickly transfer files from laptop to computer using appletalk. 

     

    The communications features in ClarisWorks will do the software job for you and an Imagewriter II cable.  Printer port to printer port will work.

     

    If you want to use the Farallon Phone Net connector, you will need a second adapter for the G3 and the phone cable to plug into both.

     

    Ji~m

  • by Jan Hedlund,Helpful

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Jul 15, 2011 12:46 PM in response to fudgenut
    Level 6 (9,869 points)
    Jul 15, 2011 12:46 PM in response to fudgenut

    Hi,

     

    There were adapters that could convert the MiniDIN-8 Printer Port output to Ethernet. There were also SCSI-to-Ethernet adapters. However, even if the hardware bit could be solved, you may run into difficulties with connection/sharing software (depending upon which computers and operating systems are involved).

     

    Since the typical size of a file on a PowerBook 180 is small, it may be easier to use 1.44 MB floppy disks for transfers. An external USB floppy drive would be needed for a modern computer.

     

    Jim has already indicated that there is a null-modem option. As mentioned, the communications part of ClarisWorks can be used on the PowerBook 180 (or a separate terminal emulation application, such as ZTerm). A modern Mac does not have serial MiniDIN-8 ports, so some kind of USB-to-serial adapter would be required (and a corresponding terminal emulation program).

     

    If you by G3 mean one of the older models with serial MiniDIN-8 ports, you could connect the printer ports through a plain Mac serial printer cable, just as Jim suggested. With suitable operating systems, file sharing should be directly possible, without the use of any communications software (enable AppleTalk, enable file sharing, connect via AppleShare in the Chooser).

     

    Jan

  • by fudgenut,

    fudgenut fudgenut Jul 16, 2011 8:40 AM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2011 8:40 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Appaloosa Mac Man and Jan, you have both been enormously helpful.  After hours and hours of attempts yesterday, I have concluded that I managed to royally mess up the G3 during the Classic/OSX transition phase.  I'm not a computer person, yet I forged ahead and added a second hard drive and a partition and now I think it's just hopeless.  It won't recognize AppleShare at all.  The cute little Powerbook 180 is a trooper, though.

     

    So, I guess I'll have to look into an external floppy drive for one of the iMacs.  I don't really see any other possibilities.  Thanks so much!

  • by fudgenut,

    fudgenut fudgenut Jul 16, 2011 8:58 AM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2011 8:58 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Actually, now that I think about it, wouldn't it just be easiest to buy a crossover Ethernet and the correct adapter?  I'm moving old Word files.  So far TextEdit has been able to open just about everything I've thrown at it, so I'm hopeful in that regard.  So -- I'm looking for a MiniDIN-8 Printer Port output.  Is that right?

     

    Thanks so much!

  • by Jan Hedlund,Solvedanswer

    Jan Hedlund Jan Hedlund Jul 16, 2011 11:32 AM in response to fudgenut
    Level 6 (9,869 points)
    Jul 16, 2011 11:32 AM in response to fudgenut

    A plain cable adapter MiniDIN-8 to RJ-45 is not sufficient. It has to be a special adapter/converter. The manual/instructions for the following adapter could possibly be of interest to you. Please note that there may be limitations/restrictions due to the exact operating systems involved.

     

    http://www.asante.com/products/Asantetalk/Asantetalk.asp

     

    Jan

  • by fudgenut,

    fudgenut fudgenut Jul 16, 2011 4:23 PM in response to Jan Hedlund
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 16, 2011 4:23 PM in response to Jan Hedlund

    Jan, you deserve a hundred gold stars.  I just placed an order.  Cross your fingers for me!  Thanks so much!

     

    Krista