[DanThe]

Hi, ive just got an iMac to replace my old G4, the iMac has some nice applications I would like to keep but I want to swap everything from my G4 over without having to do a fresh install, I know there is an option for this during install but is there another way??

Thanks,
Dan

[ibook_steve]

Use the Migration Assistant found in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. However, it's still recommended to reinstall applications when you move between machines to ensure that they have been set up correctly.

Steve

[DanThe]

Thanks

[DanThe]

Got as far as plugging the firewire cable in, try to restart my old mac while holding the 't' key and it just takes me to 'open firmware'

Anybody experienced this before?

[Cold Warrior]

do you have a firmware password set for this Mac?

[DanThe]

Sorry, no idea

[Cold Warrior]

When you boot the Mac in regular mode, not firewire target disk mode, does it ask for a password then (before the login window)?

[DanThe]

No goes straight to desktop, no passwords to start up or login

[TETENAL]

Try

System Preferences->Startup Disk->Target Disk Mode…

[DanThe]

Tried that, same thing is happening

[Hal Itosis]

Your sig (which at least seems to offer details) says:

PowerPC G4 AGP graphics, 100MHz bus, 1.4 GHz G Celerator, 1.5 GB SDRAM, ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Is that the machine which refuses to enter FireWire Target Disk mode?
Does the G4 with that problem also refuse to enter single-user mode? [via ⌘S at startup]
Or how about booting from a CD... does the problem G4 boot to a CD? [via C at startup]

[those would be other indicators of an OF password in "command" mode]

Finally try 'option' key booting. Is there a box with a password prompt?

[DanThe]

That is the machine yes,
When I tried to enter single user mode it took me to a very similar screen as the open firmware, gave a partial list of components etc, had to restart the machine to get out of it as the 'boot in single user mode' command would not boot the machine
I can boot from a CD yes, always have been able to
Option key booting just gives me a choice of startup discs, no password asked for

[ibook_steve]

Perhaps that old tower simply does not support TDM.

Steve

[Hal Itosis]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

Perhaps that old tower simply does not support TDM.

A G4? (I'd be surprised anyway, but idunno).

Originally Posted by DanThe 

When I tried to enter single user mode it took me to a very similar screen as the open firmware, gave a partial list of components etc, had to restart the machine to get out of it as the 'boot in single user mode' command would not boot the machine.

>>>>> 1.4 GHz G Celerator

If that is some hardware "hack"... maybe that's why you're landing in open firmware. [?]
[:shrug:]

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by Hal Itosis 

If that is some hardware "hack"... maybe that's why you're landing in open firmware. [?][:shrug:]

Not exactly a 'hack', but looks like a processor upgrade:
G-Celerator 1.4
But yeah, that is most likely causing problems.

[DanThe]

Thats right, it is just a processor upgrade.

I will remove it and try it again.

Cheers all,
Dan

[DanThe]

Ok, I still cant get this system to cooperate....

Ive completely turned the machine back to standard running just the startup disc which has all my files and there is no difference

The machine wont shut down properly, I had this problem before when I first started using my logitech wireless mouse, so ive now gone back to a wired mouse and deleted all the logitech files (using the spotlight search to find them)
I then started up on the install disk and repaired/verified the HDD

Since doing this it wont bring up the open firmware page (as earlier) when I try to restart in TDM, instead it makes a rather loud 'click' and attempts to restart until I release the 'T' key and will then start up as normal

[TETENAL]

Don't you have a Firewire case for external hard disks where you could put the drive of your old Mac into? Migration Assistant works with that too.

[DanThe]

No I dont, im going to install a new system on a second HDD in the G4 and see if it lets me copy the programs/files over, then see what I get with that system

[DanThe]

Well ive installed a new OS on a second HDD and migrated the old system files/folders over and its crap, open safari and everything seems to work until i hit the bookmarks button, about 3 seconds later the application unexpectedly closes

[DanThe]

Still wont start up in TDM either, taking me to open firmware again

Is there any other way I can transfer all my bookmarks? Would do it manually but I have hundreds! I can transfer all the other files to discs or maybe I should just get an external backup drive?

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by DanThe 

Is there any other way I can transfer all my bookmarks?

/Users/YourUser/Safari/Bookmarks.plist

[Andrew Stephens]

Some G4's will only boot to FWT mode if the drive with the system on it is in the same place on the IDE bus as the factory default. If you have upgraded drives over time and have your system on a drive not in the factory install position the machine will not boot to FW target mode.

[DanThe]

Originally Posted by AKcrab 

/Users/YourUser/Safari/Bookmarks.plist

I cant find this folder

I have got the machine to startup in TDM but only after its been asleep overnight,,, even so, my new mac still wont connect to it

[ibook_steve]

There should be a "Library" in there:

/Users/<username>/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist

Steve

[Chuckit]

You run a Firewire cable from one computer to another and it doesn't show up as a hard drive?

[AKcrab]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

There should be a "Library" in there:

/Users/<username>/Library/Safari/Bookmarks.plist

Steve

Thanks. That was my bad, never went back and looked at it.

[DanThe]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

You run a Firewire cable from one computer to another and it doesn't show up as a hard drive?

Thats right, I tried it with my Powerbook and it connects up no problem. I can get it as far as the firewire symbol to show on screen but it just wont connect.

I will be getting an external disc with a firewire port, im sick of messing now

[DanThe]

Finally got to the bottom of this, I got a HDD case with firewire port and first fitted my old system HDD into it, turning it on the fan started up but the HDD would not connect to another machine, firewire or USB, the light just flickered. With my other HDD it connects no problem.

So for some reason the HDD has chucked it

Fitted it back into the G4 and it fired up no problem, transfered all my files/folders over to the HDD in the case via good old USB 1.......

At least I got all our precious pictures safely accross though.
Will be backing up all that sort of stuff on the external drive as routine now

Bookmarks.plist did the job
Another few things though, Microsoft Messenger settings and Stickies notes, I dropped a b-llock with stickies, tried to copy the old program over and replaced the new program on the iMac, now it doesnt open, can I download the right version from somewhere? Software update wont give me anything for it.

Thanks all

[chris v]

I was just about to say why not start the NEW machine up in Firewire Target disk mode, and mount its drive on the old one, and copy the files that way? I know Migration Assistant won't work, but you can copy stuff manually. (I had this problem once, and it took me three hours to figure out I could boot the other machine in FWTD mode -- it was a "duh" moment.)

[DanThe]

Ive copied all the files now, just the settings im stuck with

I tried that, firewire just wouldnt work with the G4's dodgy drive