transferring files between macs

Ethernet cable between the two.

Here's a link to a simple procedure:
Connecting two computers using Ethernet

TiBook G4 1G, PMac G4 dual 1G, MacPlus Mac OS X (10.4.4)

I just preformed this operation yesterday, first i connected a 6 pin firewire cable to too both macs, with the first mac (the newer intel mac) on and the second mac (a g4 imac) off i powered up the G4 while holding down on the
"T" on the keyboard until you see a firewire icon on the newer mac desktop.
this icon has all your files from your old mac, click on the firewire icon and
it will reveal all your apps,pics ect from your old mac. just drag the things you want onto your desktop of the newer mac. when your done transfering all that you wanted to transfer, drag the firewire icon to the trash, shut down the older mac from the power button and then unplug your firewire cable. i know this is not what you had asked (how can i network 2 macs) but this may answer someone else that may visit here and want to know how to transfer files other then networking.

You've gotten good advice so far. Just want to add that the Firewire "target mode" method is potentially a lot faster.

-dan

You can use target mode, but you can just connect the two macs via an Firewire cable and look for one of the macs in the Network folder of the other.
You just have to move the files manually.

Deivy

I believe that the logic board on my computer may haved died again. I need to send it in for repair and would like to get a few files and pictures off of it before I do so just in case it all gets lost during the repair. If I try to transfer to another mac using a firewire cable will I have to see anything on my screen (currently black) or will it all show up on the other computer? Does anyone know if this will even be possible given the current state of my computer? Thanks for your thoughts!

iBook G3 Mac OS X (10.2.x)

vet2b:

The only method that offers a prayer of working is target mode, because your computer does not need to respond to any mouse or keyboard input.

Hook the two machines together via firewire and start your damaged computer while holding down the T key. Even if the firewire symbol fails to appear on the screen, it =might= mount as a drive on the working machine.

If the drive does not mount, I have found that it's worthwhile to also try rebooting the "good" machine after the "bad" one has started up in target mode.

-dan

hey guys, I can't get into target mode. I have connected my two computers via Firewire cable and have Firewire networking turned "on", on both machines. I started my G4 with the T key depressed. I see no Firewire icon anywhere. If I try to connect via "connect to server" I get Connection faled. What am I doing wrong?

Target mode and networking are two separate things. I have never tried "firewire networking," so can't comment, but I have successfully mounted many G4s on various laptops, with the G4 running OS 9 and laptop running OS X 10.2, for example, so I don't believe it has anything to do with the OS.

It may, however, be an Intel quirk.

I would turn off networking on both machines, then boot the G4 with the T key held down. Do you get a yellow/orange firewire symbol dancing around the screen? If not, something else is wrong and target mode will not work. The G4 has to use its built-in firewire port -- no PCI card or add-on.

If the symbol is displayed, look for the G4's HD on your iMac's screen. If it is not there, try rebooting the iMac without changing anything on the G4. For target mode, you should not be trying to connect to server or doing anything other than looking for the G4's HD symbol on your screen.

-dan

One of the things that Apple seems to stress is that you must use an Apple keyboard to hold the "T" key and boot the computer into Target Disc mode. I can confirm that in the past this has been true for me. With both a McNally and a Kensington keyboard I was unable to boot my iMac G3 into Target Disc mode, but a borrowed Apple keyboard did the trick.

Recently I used Migration Assistant (Applications>Utilities) to transfer my stuff from the G3 to my new Core Duo and I switched the new Apple Keyboard from the Core Duo between the two and things worked out just fine.

Actually rereading this whole interchange, I realized that many answers were given, but the easiest method was not discussed.
Since I assume you have an iMac and an iBook with a wireless car ( you did not say i, I am assuming it)
On any of the two computers click on the finder, create a new finder window, if one is not there yet and then click on Network. If both computers have wireless and are on the internet, they should see each other.
Connect with an user password, and the HD of one of the computers will mount as a local HD in your desktop.

That is all there is!


Deivy