[evfish84]

Hi I'm Rob, I'm new around here, not new to Mac, but I'm no expert either. Our home computers have always been Macs and I love them, I can't say the same for the PC's at work.
MAC FOREVER!!!
Anyway, I've had a G3 iMac OS 8.6, 333MHz, 32MB RAM, 6GB HD, USB 1.0, since the day they were born... yeah, I know: "OLD SCHOOL!", but it's performed flawlessly all these nearly 8 yrs.
LONG LIVE MAC!!!
When I heard Mac was going Intel, (sign of the Apocalypse?), I thought I had better get a new G5 Imac OS X Tiger 10.4.0, 2.1GHz, 512MB RAM, 250GB HD. It's on it's way.
Here's the fun part...
I will need to transfer about 4GB of files from the G3 iMac to the G5 iMac via an external hard drive. A seemingly knowledgable CompUSA rep suggested a LaCie 250GB drive. She said it would be compatible after installing OS 9 on my old G3.

The questions:
Is she correct?
If so...
Where can I find the free download of OS 9? (I've looked alot.)
How do I install OS 9 without wiping my files that I want to transfer?
Will I need to install USB 2.0 on my old G3 and is it compatible?

I don't want or need FireWire unless it's absolutely necessary. (Mostly for $ and my anti-gadget minded reasons.) I guess I'm hardcore "Old School".

Please and Thank You very much,
Glad to be here,
Rob

[hickey]

I guess your G3 doesnt firewire port, but if it does, man up and use the migration assistant that propmts you during the comp setup phase.

[megasad]

Originally Posted by RES1972

I will need to transfer about 4GB of files from the G3 iMac to the G5 iMac via an external hard drive. A seemingly knowledgable CompUSA rep suggested a LaCie 250GB drive. She said it would be compatible after installing OS 9 on my old G3.

The questions:
Is she correct?

I reckon she is. The drive will definitely work with the hardware, only real slow like (USB 1.1 speeds (12Mbs) rather than USB 2.0 (480Mbs)). But for 4GB that shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially as I guess you'll only be doing it the once. And the drive will obviously work at full speed with your new iMac.

Originally Posted by RES1972

If so...
Where can I find the free download of OS 9? (I've looked alot.)

To go from OS 8.6 to 9, Apple charged monies. That was a long time ago however, and you can pick the CD up for cheap on eBay. I never used 8.6, so I don't actually know whether you even need to bother upgrading; maybe the USB 2.0 hard drives work fine under 8.6? Does anyone else know?

If OS 9 is absolutely necessary, you might also be able to simply copy the Classic System folder off your new iMac, call it something like "System9" so that it doesn't overwrite your current System folder on the old iMac, put it on said old iMac, and maybe that will work. Again, I've not done this myself, so I don't know if the Classic System folder that Apple includes with their G5 Macs is even bootable on older G3 Macs, but it is an even cheaper possibility that will only cost you one CD-R.

Also, and this is probably important, before installing OS 9, make sure you update your iMac's firmware if you have not done so already. I think you can find out your current version under the Apple menu (About This Mac?) and the most recent version is Update 1.2.

Originally Posted by RES1972

How do I install OS 9 without wiping my files that I want to transfer?

Just make sure you don't tell the installer to wipe your hard drive and it should only touch the System folder, none of your personal stuff.

Originally Posted by RES1972

Will I need to install USB 2.0 on my old G3 and is it compatible?

You won't need to as USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with USB 1.1 (though see what I said about slower transfer speed above).

Originally Posted by RES1972

I don't want or need FireWire unless it's absolutely necessary. (Mostly for $ and my anti-gadget minded reasons.) I guess I'm hardcore "Old School".

You can't install it in your old iMac anyway, but if that LaCie 250GB drive you talked of is dual USB/FireWire, you might want to use FireWire with the new iMac, if for no other reason than it will free up a USB port.

[evfish84]

Thanks very much to both of you.
Thanks for your time and research, Megasad.
I think I have more confidence in the process now.

Rob