I want to transfer the entire contents of my hard disk on my 'source computer', an eMac (PPC) with OS X 10.4.11, to a 'target computer', a Mac mini, PPC, at present running OS X 10.4.2.
I'd upgrade the mini to 10.4.11 before transfering the data before using migration assistant. Seems safer.
I am not interested in using one computer into a boot disk for the other. I want to create a back-up computer that is complete in itself for use in the eventuality of a technical failure of the first one.
Not sure of the plan for backup when the eMac changes. Not sure you would not run into problems if you ran migration assistance twice.
Migration assistant isn't designed as an exact backup. It's for assisting to to move to a new computer.
I have looked at <https://discussions.apple.com/thread/753865?answerId=3625359022#3625359022&searchText=Transferring all contents of hard disk to another computer#3625359>, but I have a number of questions.
1. In that very useful article, the Mac mini is not listed as a possible target computer.
Do not know where the list came from. Actually, in this case you run migration assistant on the mini. You set up the eMac in target disk mode.
Target disk mode makes the computer appear as an external hd.
I want to transfer the entire contents of my hard disk on my 'source computer', an eMac (PPC) with OS X 10.4.11, to a 'target computer', a Mac mini, PPC, at present running OS X 10.4.2.
How do you define "entire contents"? You will get most with Migration Assistant not all.
I am not interested in using one computer into a boot disk for the other.
I want to create a back-up computer that is complete in itself for use in the eventuality of a technical failure of the first one.
You would use CCC to do this. When things change, you would run CCC update. Do not know if you can clone from eMac to Mini and have mini boot. Give it a try. eMac in target disk mode. Try holding down the option key then power on. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your eMac hd. Click on right arrow key.
2. Does Migration Assistant transfer all the invisible files and folders?
migration isn't for all. do not know about invisible files. Probably from home directory.
3. Should I upgrade the operating system of the Mac mini (the target computer) to 10.4.11 before proceeding, or will Migration Assistant transfer the OS from my source computer to the Mac mini at the same time as it is transferring files, apps, etc.?
Yes. Migration Assistant will not mess with OS.
4. I have got a version of Carbon Copy Cloner that runs on my 'source computer'. I have tried using that, but an error message appears, saying that my 'target computer' (the Mac mini) cannot be found.
You need to boot the mini in target disk mode & connect with firewire cable.
(Yes, I checked in the mini's System Prefences/Sharing what the mini's name is.) Should I set System Pref./Sharing/Personal file sharing on or off on the source computer?
Not relevant to Target disk mode.
On the target computer? Should I use Target Mode?
Yes, in the case of CCC.
If you have a second Mac computer, you may want to try to copy over as many files you can. One way is to use target disk mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1661
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8443.html
"Installing OS X 10.4 'Tiger' on DVD-Challenged Macs Using FireWire Target Disk Mode"
http://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0710.html
Here is a picture of a firewire port:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/IEEE_1394_Firewire_PCI_ Expansion_Card_Digon3.jpg/800px-IEEE_1394_Firewire_PCI_Expansion_Card_Digon3.jpg
5. Similarly, how should I set the permissions under 'Firewall' on the source computer? On the target computer?
Thank you in anticipation of any help.
.
