Q: FireWire problems

Thanks for confirming that, it is what i did but it didn't work I just see the other mac's HD on it's own screen. I didn't look in Finder which i will do however it's unlikely to have anything different but i can't be sure until I've tried , usually instructions say it will show on the desktop. As said i have done this all before on my previous computers and it's worked. I don't think I'm doing anything different now that's why i wondered about compatibility issues. I will post again if I find it in Finder and have success. I have 2 books with the instructions and previously printed info from Apple or similar support sites.

Just had another go before coming back to this discussion but with same result. The disc that shows up when FireWire is connected is it's own HD, no sign of the mac mini HD that i want to transfer files from.  I didn't know about the Finder preferences so have now looked ( with optimism) but no joy cos it is already ticked to show external disks, i also ticked to show hard disks and it immediately showed it's own HD or should i leave that ticked and hook up again?

It's getting late here IIIaass so I'll say goodnight and there might be an answer from you tomorrow. I think there is something strange going on otherwise it would operate in the way we expect. It isn't a difficult concept but i won't be the one to solve it. There are other ways of transferring files but this has become a mystery and I'd love for it to be sorted.

Yes that is correct. just to make sure I will explain in my non tech way. The Target computer is the one from which i want to transfer files ? It boots up with the FireWire emblem.. the Y shaped thing.  It is grey rather than yellow but floats around like it should and on the other computer it brings up the HD from within itself. I know it cos Yosemite looks different from 10.7 and the home folders have different names.  If I open the HD that is showing up it shows me the items i have on the Yosemite host computer (itself).  Could the cable be faulty by any chance ?  I'm presently on a hiding to nowhere.

Will check that suggestion out later and let you know.  9 30 in the morning and not dressed yet.  Keen to read what comes through and end up being here too  long. It;s strange from point of view that HD shows up on screen as it should when everything is connected up but is from wrong (own) computer. Catch up later.

No worries about silly questions.. we need to be sure of everything. just using ordinary FireWire and slots into each computer easily so I assume the number of pins are correct etc and it does fire up ,so to speak, but seems to be working in reverse. My son comes by cables fairly easily so have asked him for another cable when he can get one. i use simple language back to my respondents so you can feel confident that i understand what you are explaining to me but can only repeat I have done this before when i was new operator, have had much more experience now. I don't see two HDs on host iMac that;s why it is so clear when FireWire produces the HD from within the iMac ( hope that makes sense). Will look at disk utility later and if it's there do i drag it out or how do i remove the files i wish to transfer?  Not done it that way before.

I hope both you and dwb see this post IIIaass. That was very interesting looking at disk utility. I didn't see a HD as such other than the one i would expect to see. Could clearly see the FireWire was connected. Will attach screen shot of what I saw. The item Macintosh HD is the HD of the host computer that i was on.

Good morning dwb... While making a cup of tea decided to check computer and now can't resist writing back cos at last someone else feels my pain but far be it for me to be responsible for the loss of 2 remaining hairs nevertheless I confirm the item Macintosh HD showing on the host computer ( not FireWire target with symbol) is the HD from within the host itself.  Starting to sound like a nasty parasite. When the cable is hooked up and I see the HD appear and have opened it I see the (few) items from within the host, nothing from target mac mini. Later I wondered about Untitled so have had a look and it is Start Up for Host iMac. Am sending shot of iMac without cable attached. I will name Untitled later.. I take this to be the HD of that computer? If i the item Macintosh HD was from Target then my problem would be solved.  Just to confuse I did catch sight of reference to 10.7.5 on the host (10.10) but it was fleeting and I can't remember how or where. When i properly get up, after returning to bed with another cup of tea, I will hook up again, open the HD that appears and take picture.  You will recognise an image of a Yosemite HD as against Lion and perhaps I'll find where i saw 10.7 on the 10.10 machine. I would never have thought to look in disk utilities but it has been helpful to confirm confusion. I'm reluctant to approach forums, I'm glad they are there but there is an assumption that the basics aren't understood and i realise it's pointless to say one has done "everything" cos "everything" is subjective. However i do try hard before going onto a forum to ask a question. I'm tending to think the cable is ok, i verified it on utilities and it said it seemed ok. The host iMac is a repaired computer that has been kindly given to me, i'm being forced to move up from beloved 10.6 especially for granddaughter to play Minecraft, I wonder if during the original breakdown of the 10.10 and subsequent repair whether something was changed inside ?