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Archives => 2009 => Topic started by: Frances144 on January 19, 2009, 07:29:27 AM

Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Frances144 on January 19, 2009, 07:29:27 AM
Right, here is the scenario.

I have:-

1.  iMac with time capsule (backup and iTunes attached with yellow cable to wireless router), also attached Maxtor external firewire drive (via firewire).

2.  iBook networked in with iMac and Time Capsule and Maxtor separately.

Now, I am flat on my back so obviously cannot use the iMac and all its apps from the iBook.  But I want to.  So how can I make the screen on my iBook act as the desktop screen on my iMac, using the apps, etc from the iMac and all it is attached to.  Is this possible?

Cheers

Fx
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Paddy on January 19, 2009, 09:24:50 AM
Frances, you (or someone else in the household) will need to enable sharing on the iMac. In the System Preferences, go to Internet & Network and click on the Sharing folder on the iMac. Click on "File Sharing" so that the checkbox is checked. The window to the right of this is called "Shared Folders" - click on the "+" at the bottom of the window and then select the iMac's hard drive (not just the User folder, as the apps don't live in the User folder). Then, in the next window over, entitled "Users" you can add the iBook's user name to the list. (click on the "+" again and select "new person"). Note - you don't have to add the iBook user name to the list - you can log into the iMac as the iMac user if you wish.

Now, from the iBook, in the Finder, click on the "Go" menu and select Network. The iMac should appear as one of the networked items - select it and click on "Connect As" - if you've filled in the iBook User info in the iMac's sharing panel, then use that; if not, simply log in as the iMac user (you will need the iMac's user name and password for that).

Voila - the iMac's HD will now be mounted on your desktop on the iBook as a shared drive and you can run applications or anything else you wish from the iBook. It will probably be a bit slower than if you were actually working on the iMac, but it should work fine.
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Frances144 on January 19, 2009, 10:27:59 AM
Well, I finally did it and thank you for your suggestion.  

I ended up, if anyone is interested, going into Sharing, then ticked File Sharing>+ in Shared Folders and added HD, highlighted HD>Options then put in HD password and it let me in.  HD now appears as a globe in a glass square on my iBook desktop and so far seems to work, but I have yet to put to the test.

Thanks again.

Fx
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 19, 2009, 10:38:38 AM
If you have Leopard installed on both, you can actually have either screen on the other computer. And operate it just as though you had it right in front of you. Just enable Screen Sharing, also in the Sharing Panel. You have total control of the cursor on the other machine (except for Shutting it down, I believe...). BTW, a great game to play with someone on the other computer is to open their screen on yours but without telling them! They'll go crazy trying to figure out why their cursor is moving when they aren't moving the mouse! Or why it won't move if they do move the mouse while you move it in another direction. They will also be "amused" when programs or files on their computer start opening without any input from them. Oh, it's just loads of fun, especially when you are 'protected' by some kind of ailment that procures an almost unlimited amount of sympathy and forgiveness... rofl.gif WARNING! Do not attempt this super fun game with a spouse! eek2.gif

Also, in Leopard (and I think in Tiger) you can set Finder to also show any/all networked volumes in the Side Bar of its windows. In Leopard, simply clicking on a shared volume, will automatically open its contents in the Finder window, assuming you have enable Sharing, of course. From there, the access to apps and files is just like in any other 'local' volume.
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Paddy on January 19, 2009, 01:23:06 PM
Aha...I knew I could do this, I'd just forgotten how...shut down son #2's computer promptly at 9:30, whether he likes it or not! Much more effective than poking one's head in the door, to be told "in a minute" only to have to do it AGAIN 5 minutes later when he's STILL playing WoW or gazing at silly cat videos on YouTube. Devilish2.gif
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: gunug on January 19, 2009, 05:08:39 PM
Paddy - Before #2 went off to college I had reached the point where I just shut down the DSL Modem!
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: krissel on January 19, 2009, 06:06:55 PM
Oh, heck, just flip the circuit breaker to their room.  toothgrin.gif
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Paddy on January 19, 2009, 10:42:34 PM
Well, turning off the modem would put me out of business too. tongue.gif

And the circuit breaker would also shut down my husband's study. I might hear a few complaints about that!!

Stealing the power cord for the Mac is usually quite effective. (or keyboard, or mouse - the only trouble is, in our house, there are extras of those, and I'd need to hide them all!)

Nah, shutting down from afar is way more fun. smile.gif
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 20, 2009, 03:18:31 PM
"Others who have used this technique, might also enjoy a free little app called <LANMessage>! It will send a short message (that you create or have ApleScript) to any machine connected to your network. Such message might say, 'This is your Mac saying, goodnight [Mac user name here]! Hope you come back tomorrow, after school!'

You have received this message because you have supplied your email address to too many PC users. If you would want like to Unsubscribe, simple click this link and supply us with you credit card, bank account and PIN numbers. Have a nyce day."  smile.gif
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Frances144 on January 21, 2009, 06:31:55 AM
Hmmm.... it is not working like I want.

I want my iBook to "imitate" the Desktop of the iMac, ie to be the iMac in effect.  It should just be an extension of the iMac.  So the HD on the iMac is working and the iBook is the keyboard.  Does that make sense?

I can see it not working as the iMac uses Leopard and the iBook uses 10.4.11.

Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Paddy on January 21, 2009, 07:47:47 AM
Ah, well for that you'd need Leopard on both so that you could use screen sharing as per Jim's original post. (There are other ways, but they're a little more complicated and involve installing VNC)

Any possibility you can install 10.5 on the iBook? I can't remember its specs...
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Frances144 on January 21, 2009, 08:24:07 AM
Hmmm..... I have the discs as I bought it but don't know if it would like it.  The iBook is:-

Machine Name:   iBook G4
  Machine Model:   PowerBook6,7
  CPU Type:   PowerPC G4 (1.5)
  Number Of CPUs:   1
  CPU Speed:   1.42 GHz
  L2 Cache (per CPU):   512 KB
  Memory:   1 GB
  Bus Speed:   142 MHz
  Boot ROM Version:   4.9.3f0
  Serial Number:   4H535380SE9
  Sudden Motion Sensor:
  State:   Enabled
  Version:   1.0

I am also not sure as the disc only allowed one installation so would it let me?!
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Xairbusdriver on January 21, 2009, 12:52:47 PM
I haven't even seen Target Disk mode in quite a while, but would starting up the iMac in that mode enable her to use all the apps on that machine? Thinking.gif OTOH, they might just end up running on the laptop, so she wouldn't gain any performance improvements. dntknw.gif

Screen Sharing really is the "cat's meow!" And if you're willing to pay for a retail installer of Leopard, wy not grab the 'boxed bundle' Apple is offering for a limited time: Leopard + iLife '09 + iWork '09 for $169 US. Leopard alone is $129 and both the other groups are $79 each. I'm not sure of the dates this bundle is for sale, but I don't think both the iLife and iWork '09 versions are even available yet. You might want to check the specs on those bundles, of course, I think some of them require an Intel cpu and most will need Core Graphics to get all the great graphics effects. But your iBook should handle Leopard with no problem, AFAIK.

Also, be aware that your iBook screen is probably much smaller than the iMac's. That means you'll still not see the entire iMac screen at once, even with Screen Sharing. You can still access all of it, you'll simply see the iMac screen 'auto-scroll' when you reach the edge of it in the window you'll have on your iBook. Screen Sharing works best when you are looking at a smaller screen on a large one. But it really is nice for getting to things on another computer, running them there, moving/deleting files there, just about anything you can if you were physically sitting (or lying!) in front of it. Of course, a real advantage is to be able to show another user exactly how and where to find things or how to perform some kind of action. This can be much less intimidating than standing over the users shoulder! Somehow, my brain doesn't seem to control some else's arms/hands as well as it does mine! blush-anim-cl.gif

Just 'hang in there' and I'm sure we'll find a way to give you the access to the Macs you want! Even if it requires Neil coming up there and moving furniture! eek2.gif rofl.gif
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: Paddy on January 21, 2009, 01:20:26 PM
iWork '09 is out now, iLife '09 is still a pre-order item.

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MB997?mco=MzA3MDgxNQ - says it ships "January" - not long to wait since there are only 10 days left in January but it will be dependent on the release of iLife '09 presumably. £149 - not exactly "cheap" but like getting Leopard thrown in for a mere £9, since separately iLife and iWork are each £69.
Title: Is this possible? - To connect two Macs
Post by: krissel on January 21, 2009, 10:23:49 PM
QUOTE(Frances144 @ Jan 21 2009, 09:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am also not sure as the disc only allowed one installation so would it let me?!



If the Leopard disks are regular retail they will be good for any Mac that has the proper specs as your iBook does. Technically there are no limits to the number of machines you can put it on. Not sure what you mean by it allowing only one installation?