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Author Topic: Transferring files from G4 to MacMini  (Read 3213 times)

Offline Raven

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« on: August 26, 2012, 03:58:00 PM »
Back in June I posted her about transferring files from my wife's G4, OSX10.4.11, to a new Mac Mini. I think it has 10.6.
 I'm now finally getting around it it. :-)

She only has one VGA monitor and one keyboard, so I'm not comfortable with the target disk mode procedure. Plus I read in Apple Support that there MAY be some issues with migrating everything from a Power PC G4 to an Intel Mac.

So, I think it's simpler and safer for me to transfer all her WORK files (14 gb) using USB drives.
And doing the same with her iTunes (7 gb) and iPhoto (5 gb).
And reloading her apps which is basically MS Office.

All her files are backed up to another internal hard drive.

What I'm not sure about is this...

How best to transfer the iTunes and iPhoto files?
Can I just load the relevant folders to a USB drive and then import to the Mac Mini?

Where are the Mail, Address Book, and Safari Bookmarks files?
Can I transfer them the same way?

Is there anything else that should be transferred?

This may seem cumbersome to you folks, but it should work for me. Thanks!!
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Offline jchuzi

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2012, 05:13:03 PM »
I transferred data from a PPC Mac to an Intel Mac without incident. Both were running 10.4.11 at the time. I don't know if going from 10.4 to 10.6 will be an issue.

I can give you some ideas about Mail, Address Book and Safari bookmarks but bear in mind that I'm looking at my 10.6 installation. My guess is that the locations are the same in 10.4 but you'll have to check.

MAIL:

~/Library/Mail
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist

ADDRESS BOOK:

~/Library/Application Support/Address Book
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.AddressBook.abd.plist
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.AddressBook.plist

SAFARI:

~/Library/Safari, ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.plist
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Safari.RSS.plist
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Jon

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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2012, 05:57:43 PM »
First, I'll admit that I haven't tried this...
The only need for the monitor will be to see the PPC machine is during the Startup. After you see that it has started up in Target Disk mode (the ever moving FireWire logo), there's nothing more to see. I would disconnect the monitor and connect it to the mini and commence the Migration.

I think MA would be much simpler than searching for files, loading the thumbdrive, figuring out where to put them (could be a different path!), etc., etc. Let the computer and the program do what they are designed to do and save your human trouble-shooting skills for the possibility that that might be needed. Just because someone had trouble sometime doesn't mean everyone will always have them also. Remember, people always mention thier problems but seldom talk about things working normally.
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Offline jchuzi

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2012, 08:11:30 PM »
I agree with XABD. I had zero problems using Target Disk Mode and Migration Assistant when transferring everything from my G4 DP 450 to my Mac Pro. In my previous post, I forget to mention that I migrated data the same way (for a friend) from 10.4 on an Intel Mac to 10.6 on another Intel Mac (no problems).
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Offline kimmer

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2012, 08:31:41 PM »
Another TS'er here to say no probs using MA and Target Disk Mode when transferring everything from my old G4 PPC to my iMac running 10.5. Same goes for Sneakers migration -- and his was from a G4 PPC running 10.4.11 to the new iMac running 10.6.

I'll also tell you that I tried NOT to use MA when I moved up as I didn't want all the "old" stuff to move over and then have to dump it. Miss-steak! Major! I wound up reformatting drive and doing it the correct wink.gif way. I spent 3 days cleaning up my mess as I wound up with new mail and docs and had to back those up before reformatting, blah, blah, blah.
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Offline Raven

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2012, 09:24:25 PM »
All good advice that I will follow, BUT...
I wanted to boot up the Mac Mini for the first time for a peek before transferring anything, but I can't get the Mac Mini to start. Aaargh!

LG Monitor, Apple keyboard, Apple mouse are all attached. Monitor is on.
When I press the power button on the Mini, it just gives me a blinking power light and beeps.
Nothing comes on the screen.
I've unplugged and replugged power cord.
I've rebooted holding down the Command and R key as described in User Manual.
I've rebooted holding down the Command, Option, P and R keys.

This is why I get gun shy every time there is an upgrade! Always something. :-(
I did install 2 new 4 gb Ram chips a few weeks ago, if that has anything to do with this.

Suggestions?
Thanks everyone. :-)
« Last Edit: August 26, 2012, 09:26:07 PM by Raven »
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Offline RNKIII

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2012, 10:04:32 PM »
I would remove and re-install the memory. Making VERY sure they are seated very well. Extra hard push to insure seating...may seem like a lot of force, but that is what it takes ...

Hope this helps.

Bob K.  rnkiii
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Offline krissel

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2012, 12:44:35 AM »
Bob is right in pointing out RAM as the probable issue.

Here's Apple's description of the beeps and lights:

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538


Oh, I agree with using Migration Assistant.  smile.gif
« Last Edit: August 27, 2012, 12:45:32 AM by krissel »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2012, 10:50:50 AM »
We sometimes create our own problems? I know I do! Note that I didn't say 'have!' blush-anim-cl.gif

Many people are amazed at how much pressure is required to seat RAM modules. It seems illogical to use so much force, even when they often have levers to aid the process. However, it's usually a good idea to test hardware immediately after making these kinds of changes rather than after a problem occurs. At the latter date, it may be easy to even forget making the change which leads to multiple 'wild-goose' chases in solving the current problem... oops.gif
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Offline jchuzi

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2012, 10:58:11 AM »
Another thought is to reset PRAM after installing RAM modules. The first time that I added RAM to my G4, performance was wonky (I don't remember exactly what happened). I phoned the vendor from which I had bought the modules and a tech guy told me to reset PRAM. That solved it.
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Jon

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Offline Raven

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Transferring files from G4 to MacMini
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2012, 10:15:13 PM »
Yup. That did it.
I pulled the two chips out and pushed them in again. Hard. This time they snapped in. I don't remember that before.
And the Mac Mini began to work. Cool!

BUT now I have other issues after Migration Assistant. I will posted separately...
http://www.techsurvivors.net/forums/index....t=0#entry191116
« Last Edit: September 02, 2012, 10:57:02 PM by Raven »
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