I only have one Ethernet port on the back of my Dell tower and I need 2 for using Migration Assistant.

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Level 1

8 points

I only have one Ethernet port on the back of my Dell tower and I need 2 for using Migration Assistant.

I need one Ethernet port for the PC to connect to the Internet, and I need another to connect the PC to the Mac so I can use Migration Assistant to transfer data. What can I do to solve this dilemma?

There is way too much data to use a thumb drive or CDs.

I feel like I need to create the ability for a wireless connection on the Dell tower so that I can use the Ethernet port for the connection to the Mac. I don't know if the computer is capable or how I would go about that. I don't want to spend money on the computer I am trying to put out to pasture!

Help!!

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.7.5), Dell XPS 400, MS Windows XP s.p.3

Posted on Jan 25, 2014 3:38 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2014 4:49 PM in response to DukenDuchess

Why does the Dell have to be connected to the internet if you are transferring data over an ethernet connection? Can't you do the migration without an internet connection?

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Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,235 points

Jan 25, 2014 8:12 PM in response to DukenDuchess

You definitely don't need to be connected to the Internet to use Migration Assistant.

Rest assured the vast majority of computers in the world have only one Ethernet connector, if that.

You can use the same Ethernet cord used between your router and your PC. Just disconnect it from the router and plug it in to your Mac. Remember to run Migration Assistant on both computers.

Note: Before disconnecting your PC from the Internet, make sure you have downloaded and installed the Windows version of Migration Assistant: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1557?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

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Answer 3

DukenDuchess Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2014 7:43 PM in response to Lanny

Thanks. I will give it a try.

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Answer 4

DukenDuchess Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2014 7:48 PM in response to Eustace Mendis

What the directions said was that both computers must be on the same network. I have a wireless network in my house that all of the Apple products are on, but the PC is still hardwired to the router.

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Answer 5

Lanny

Level 6

13,235 points

Jan 26, 2014 8:06 PM in response to DukenDuchess

Focus on what is in "bold" and "underlined"

Wireless (Wi-Fi) or Ethernet migration

Make sure both the source and target Macs are connected to the same network, either wirelessly, or using an ethernet network cable.
- To use Ethernet for migration, connect the two computers with a single Ethernet cable; you don't have to connect the computers to a hub, switch, or router. For the best experience, attach your source and target Macs to each other before you begin migrating.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5872?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

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Answer 6

DukenDuchess Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2014 8:27 PM in response to Lanny

I will try again making sure the Ethernet connection between the computers is established before I open Migration Assistant on each computer.

Thank you.

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