The Great iMac FireWire Mystery

I'm stumped on this one and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.
A couple of months ago I replaced my mother's mirror door G4 (2x1GHz) with a 20" 2.16GHz Intel iMac (the last of the all-white iMacs). Her G4 had an 80GB and a 60GB internal hard drives, with the 80GB being the boot drive and the 60GB being accessed exclusively by Retrospect to do incremental backups on a nightly basis and a recycle backup once a month. This system worked quite well for the past couple of years.
Her iMac has a 250GB internal drive. I added a Newer Tech miniStack v2 200GB hard drive which I have connected via FireWire. Using the same Retrospect-based system, backups are performed regularly. However, there's a fly in the ointment. Occasionally and for reasons unknown the computer will unmount the FireWire drive all by itself. This happens regardless of whether the computer is idle or in use. Power cycling the drive will remount it and all is well afterwards -- until the next time. It seems to happen about once every 2-3 days. The drive can be connected for 2-3 days at a time without any problems, but then it just disappears. Poof.
Things to remove from the list right off the bat...
1. The miniStack drive is fine, having performed its duties on several other computers in the past and operating flawlessly in the same capacity on other computers (including a MacBook Pro and an aluminum iMac).
2. OS X is set to sleep the drive when it's not in use. Since the incremental backup process takes less than five minutes a day to complete, having the drive spun up 24/7/365 makes little sense. The drive happily spins up when Retrospect does its thing (assuming the drive is still on the desktop at that time, of course) and the drive happily spins down shortly after Retrospect finishes (again, assuming...). A suggestion of "turn drive sleep off" is not acceptable for this reason, and for the fact that the other computers that the drive was attached to also had drive sleep enabled and didn't have this problem.
3. The OS X installation (10.4.10) is very clean, having been installed when the iMac was installed. There are no "haxies" or anything weird like that installed. The only "modification" to the system is enabling the DEBUG menu in Safari. When I put the iMac into target disk mode and boot my wife's MacBook Pro from the iMac's hard drive, the miniStack drive does not show this problem. If the OS X installation was to blame then the MacBook Pro should also have lost the drive.
4. I've also gone the other way, booting the iMac from the MacBook Pro's OS (10.4.8 and 10.4.10) in target disk mode. The problem remains on the iMac.
5. The iMac itself has been checked out by Tekserve and the Apple Store, both in Manhattan, and has been pronounced 100% without error or problem. The iMac also passes the hardware test provided on the Apple CD and the TechTool Pro diagnostic. All other aspects of the computer perform flawlessly.
6. The FireWire cable has been replaced, and both the old and new cables are perfectly functional with all other drives and computers tested.
7. With one exception, other FireWire devices on the iMac seem to work flawlessly in all other regards. I've tried two camcorders, an iSight webcam, a friend's FireWire-to-MIDI box, a DVD burner, and a FireWire CF card adapter. All perform perfectly. The one exception is a 60GB portable FireWire hard drive. This drive performs exactly the same way on the iMac; that is; you can connect it and use it without a problem, but if you keep it connected for 2-3 days it too disappears from the desktop just like the miniStack drive. (I had a 2GB CF card connected to a FireWire CD card adapter, and it was mounted on the desktop as a formatted Mac volume. This card stayed on the desktop for five days without a problem, so the problem seems to be localized to actual hard drives and not just mass storage devices.)
8. The iMac performs perfectly in target disk mode. I had it in TDM connected to the MacBook Pro for several days and it never disappeared.
So, I'm at a loss. My current "fix" is to connect the drive to the iMac via USB and that seems to be working. That seems to indicate that it's a FireWire problem but I've never heard of one so specific to one particular category of hardware before (e.g., hard drives). Regardless, that doesn't solve this mystery. Yes, the drive works under USB....but why not FireWire like it should?

I have been having similar problems with a Mybook FW HD disappearing and remounting at random intervls. I am in the process of replacing it with a Fantom 1000.( I have a 300G Fantom with an Oxford chipsest that has been completley reliable for > 2yrs attached via FW400).
The Fantom 1000 mounted immediately with FW800, but as it was Fat32 formatted I decided to erase and reformat with MacOS extended using disk utility. I haven't been able to mount the final product, although it is recognized and described by the System. Disk utility can't verify or repair due to a formatting error.. I should mention that disk utility never gave any indication that it had finished the formating.. the blue barber pole was still spinning after 12 hrs
How long should it take to format a 1T disk?
Anyway now I am trying using a FW400 port and am about 1 hr into it...... next I will try USB and if that fails I will try to return to FAT 32... I should have quit while I was ahead
My question .... is this a FW problem, a Fantom problem or a formatting (Disk utility probem)

Similar Messages

The Great Hard Drive Mystery

I have a huge mystery and I need help. Two hard drives hang in the balance! Have your attention? okay...here's the story (flash back)...
I have two internal hard drives put into two acomdata external hard drive shells. They've worked for two years. I moved into an apartment with carpet (potentially important info) and got set up. I'd been having power issues even at my old place. The power cord to the drives were not giving them enough juice to spin up. The drives would try, but couldn't. I ended up buying a new power cord on ebay. I got it in the mail and plugged it in. It worked! However, it seemed one of my shells was not starting up, not even lighting up. Whatever though, I let the one shell be my life boat to get the data off these drives.
Before I transfered the data, I opened the casing, but then closed it up again (realizing I should get the data off first before I swap the drives). When I tried transferring the data there was a privacy issue so i set the drive to "read & write". Shortly after, the drive dismounted and did not spin up.
I went and bought a new acomdata external shell thinking that was the cause. To my shock, it was not. The good (yet bad) news here is that both drives are not spinning up. That's potentially good as it could mean there's something beyond the drives that's wrong.
So, what I have in front of me are two functioning acomdata shells, two internal hard drives that aren't spinning up, and one acomdata shell that's simply not working all together. I have no idea what could be the problem yet have suspected static electricity, power supply, and (which is why I post here) Leopard software blockage.
What do you think my Sherlockian friend?

Good point. It just doesn't feel right both drives dying at the same time. And obviously I don't want to come to that conclusion. Yet, I do have to rule that out at some point if no other possibility is working.
I haven't called Acomdata just yet, but I'm certain they won't give me many answers.

The Great GUI Builder Mystery

I am trying to create a GUI Builder using Java. I have searched high and low, low and high, and I have not been able to figure out how to set the design time behaviour of a JavaBean (or any component for that matter). Theoretically (according to the JavaBeans API) this is done using the setDesignTime() method, but how can I apply this to a javax.swing.JButton, for example?
The BDK, and Bean Builder tools accomplish design time behaviour, but I am still unable to figure out how it is done (even after viewing the source code provided). (It appears as though those tools emulate design time behaviour.)
Can someone give me some help or direct me to a place where I can find the help that I need?

Ok.....
Is there any way to make a swing component behave as if it is in design time mode?
If I am completely lost, please give me a hint as to where I can find the information that I need.
Please help!

The great CD drive mystery !!!

I recently decided to upgrade to a DVD writer ............ so I took out the old CD Rom drive and insert the new one (with all the correct settings etc). Started the PC up and everything was fine, games played, music played etc. Powered the PC down and on again a few times and each time it booted perfectly.
Went to install Nero 6, which came with the LG GSA4120B drive, and it crashed half way through, saying that it couldn't copy one of the files. So tried again and it crashed at exactly the same point. Thought it was a bit strange as things normally blow up when you go to run them and not just install them !!
So powered down and left it for the day.
The next day I booted up and everything seemed fine until I double clicked on the CD drive in My Computer ............... and the PC screen went black (as if on standby) ........... and the PC just died. Even the Reset button wouldn't work, I had to use the On/Off button at the back. Again and again it happened. Then it went to the next stage which was as soon as Windows started it did the same thing. I then took the drive out and put the old one back in and the same thing still happened.
The only way that I could get it to boot was to disconnect the CD drive altogether, and the PC runs fine. I've gone through Windows settings and motherboard BIOS settings and can't find anything which I would class as out of the ordinary.
So I thought I would install newer Geforce drivers to see what that would do and it still crashed if the CD drive was connected on the Secondary IDE as a Master. I thought I would try it as a Slave and the PC now boots but the weirdest thing happens ................. you can access the cd drives, play games fine, play music fine (using a CD that was in the PC when it booted) but if eject the CD tray, the PC crashes as before i.e. black screen ??!!!???
I'm at a loss .............. twenty years of PC'ing and for the life of me I can't work out the significance of the what happens when the tray opens for Windows to crash.
Please help someone ................. I been ready your forum for a few days and you guys seem to know your stuff.
PC mobo is MSI 6382e with AMD XP2000+ proc, graphics card MSI 8878 MX420.

If you search the MS knowledgebase I think you'll find how to restore the last good version of the Win98SE registry. Basically it goes like this:
1. Registry comprises 2 files which are something like system.dat & user.dat & you'll find them if you make Explorer display hidden & system files (in the root of C: I think but if not then search)
2. You should also find the same files with .bak extensions.
3. You need to reboot in DOS mode, rename the .dat files to e.g. .old, rename the .bak files to . dat & restart.
If you don't like what you get you can reverse the .old files back to .dat fiels and you are back to where you were.
All this may be too late if you have successfully booted with these problems because you will have overwritten the backups. I would suggest try a repair install of your OS, assuming you still have the CD.

Can I use firewire to transfer everything from my Macbook Pro (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.25 GHz) to the new iMac (2.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5)?

I have a MacBook Pro to use at work. It has everything (all genuine softwares, server connection etc). The company is using a contract IT company so connecting to the server and setting email is real issue with me as this IT people can't configure Mac. Last time it took them 1 week to set up everything for me ( me one the phone with them as they aren't coming to our office - they only use QuickViewer to get access to my laptop).
Now the company is buying me an iMac so that I can use the laptop at home. Can I use firewire to transfer everything to the new iMac so that I don't waste my time installing softwares & calling this IT people to set up my email and connection to the server again? If it works do I have to enter serial numbers in again for all the softwares or I have to buy new softwares (I know with Adobe CS - I can only install in one computer)?
Thanks in advance.

If you want to use the adobe suite on the imac you will have to deactivate it on the MBP or it will show up as being used. That is if you can only install it on one computer. Some licenses you can install it on 2 computers but it has to say that on the cd key tag.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the contractors. It is not that hard to get stuff like that up and running on the mac.

How do I transfer music and photos from my Power Mac G5 to my new iMac. Have an old FireWire but it does not fit the new iMac

I am trying to transfer photos, music, etc from my Power Mac G5 to my new iMac. The Power Mac is too old for the migration assistant to help. I have an old Firewire but it does not fit the new iMac. Any suggestions? If a Firewire is the best option which one do I need? Thanks.

You need a Firewire 800 to 400 adapter or cable or a external USB 2/3 drive (self powered) it can default to the old USB the G5 uses 1 or 2.
Format the drive info here.
Backup and restore info
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

How can a video editor use an NTSC studio monitor on the new iMac without a Firewire 400 port?

Looking at the new iMacs (hungrily) and wondering how I will be able to continue using my Sony DSR-11 and NTSC monitor in the absence of any Firewire 400 port. I suppose there may be cables that will allow me to use the Firewire 800 port and am thinking they may be difficult to locate.

No they're not - they're available from many sources; i.e. I bought a FW 400 > 800 cable when I bought my iMac last August (at an authorized local reseller). Just google Firewire 400 > 800 and you'll get plenty of results. You can also opt for an adapter if you prefer. Both are also available at the Apple store online.

HVX-200 can't mount using the iMac Firewire 800?

My specs are Mac OS X 10.6.6 , iMac 2.8 i5 with 12GB of ram.
I'm trying to mount an HVX-200 Panasonic using P2 cards on my new computer via the iMac's Firewire.
Each time I connect, load up the camera. It always gives me a disconnect message on the camera. I can't mount my camera at all! I tried this using a Firewire 400 setup on a friends older machine, no problem.
Btw, I had to by a $40+ 9-pin to 4-pin Firewire cable on the Apple store and pay shipping just to find out all this is not working...
Any suggestions here?

That cable is fine with the iMac - I am more concerned with your camcorder; see page 10 of the FAQ:
+Does 24PN have a IEEE 1394 (Firewire) mode?+
+No, 24PN (and 30PN) modes do not transmit data over the IEEE 1394 (“firewire”) interface. The P2 HD camcorders only transmit SMPTE-compliant data streams over the 1394 interface, and 24PN/30PN recordings are unique modes that do not comply to established streaming protocols. Accordingly, 1394 output is disabled when using a Native mode.+
As I said, I know nothing about your camcorder, but I think it is time for you to contact the mfr and/or the store where you bought it and ask questions about these data streams and FW compliance. In the link I sent previously (description of such a cable) it said that both devices must be compliant and, according to these FAQs, it may not?

Am I correct that none of the latest iMac's have a DVD Drive or Firewire port?

Am I correct that none of the latest iMac's have a DVD Drive or Firewire port?

I actually use an external optical drive as all of my family and friends (including the ones in other countries) prefer to get the movies I produce on a DVD they can put in their DVD player and watch on a big screen TV, so I will be using that technology for some time to come. I also prefer not to upload anything as most everyone thinks everything is free to download (steal) other people's content. I've used an external burner for years because the super slim vertically installed drives in iMacs were less than reliable and any media could shift by 1/100th of an inch.
My current (new) external burner is from OWC:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MR3F82SD24S/
(they have others, including bluray). Mine is quiet, sturdy, and offers several plugin possibilities.

How will it be possible to to use a firewire external with the new iMac

I see the new iMac has four USB 3 ports and two Thunderbolt ports.
I have numerous FW 800 externals I use for back up, Time Machine and so forth (many are less than a year old and were not inexpensive).
When I get a new iMac, what will be the process or procedure to use one or more of those Firewire externals with the new iMac?

Try http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD464ZM/A
This Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter should do it for you.
Allan

Should I have waited for the thunderbolt imac?

This year, a few weeks before the 2011 imac came out I bought a new imac 2010. I loved using my new imac compared to old macintoshes. (imac g3 mouse night mare). I then heard that a few weeks after the purchase of my new imac that a new imac came out-with thunderbolt.
As a video editor for my show I was wondering if thunderbolt is important. Do I absolutely need to have thunderbolt? Will every device require thunderbolt?
As you can't modify or add internal hardware to an imac, I'm wondering if should I will regret my decision to buy a new imac just before a new version came out. But then again, I feel like everytime I buy something from my favourite IT company Apple is great when you first use it, but feels like an expensive paperweight when a new apple product comes out. (think apple ipods). So, should I have waited?

At least for now there are no Thunderbolt peripherals available. And the first ones that will come will most likely cost more then any USB/FireWire variant they have now.
So Thunderbolt will become (hopefully) more important in about 1/2 years from now. Unless you want to be one of the firsts and prepared to the premium price.
For instance Lacie announced a Thunderbolt diskdrive. But to make sure that the disk can also write/read at the massive speeds that Thunderbolt is promising, they realized that this disk must be SSD. Of course an SSD disk is not bad at all, but it still very expensive.

My cannon HV 20 camcorder is not recognized in the new imac

Hi,
I bought the new imac, my Cannon HV 20 HD camcorder is not getting recognized, i have the new Firewire 800 to 4 pin DV connection and imovie9
i tried it on another mac at the apple store - still would not recognize.
I have tried most of the suggestions given in this discussion forum except,
- checking my camera DV port
- imac FW 800 port
- replace another cable
can anyone suggest where to turn this filevault on/off?
welcoming other solutions.

Hi
can anyone suggest where to turn this filevault on/off?
Under the Apple menu (top left hand corner of screen) - down to System preferences
Here one icon looks like a Safe - name (not sure) Sweden = Säkerhet = Safety but
most probably should be File Vault.
Your Camera
a. Has it worked OK via FireWire on other Mac ?
b. Can You test it with old FW400-4-pin and on an old Mac ?
Just to rule out that Your Camera is OK.
With the old FW400 connector one could/might insert it 180 deg wrongly into Mac
Yes it needed some force - but on my Mac the connector was on the back so I didn't feel this.
RESULT: Disasterous - A/D-Chip in Camera burned - A hard to get problem though
everything else but just Camera <-> Mac was affected. Expencive repair.
Here is my list on this.
*NO CAMERA or A/D-box*
Cable
• Sure that You use the FireWire - USB will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toogle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK eg recording and playback to TV)
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minmum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
*Other ways to import Your miniDV tape*
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About../More..
under Firewire.. what do you read..?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choise / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After uninstalling Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
*No Camera or bad import*
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that halps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
Yours Bengt W

I am about to upgrade my eMac to the latest iMac. What can I do to transfer PPC software so the iMac can use my data such as email contacts, safari bookmarks, etc.?

I am about to upgrade from my eMac to the latest iMac. The eMac has given up the ghost at 10 years of age.
I have a full backup of my eMac so could use old email and safari contact/bookmarks,etc.
What is simplest way to do this?
Will the iMac distinguish between old PPC software and new Intel if I try to do a migration from old to new?
Can I use a flash drive to copy and paste required items from old to new?
All advice gratefully received.

A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
The Knowledgebase article Intel-based Mac: Some migrated applications may need to be updated refers to methods of dealing with migrating from PowerPC chips to Intel with the Migration Assistant safely. The authors of this tip have not had a chance to verify this works in all instances, or that it avoids the 10.6.1 and earlier Guest Account bug that caused account information to get deleted upon use of the Migration/Setup Assistant. However, a well backed up source that includes at least two backups of all the data that are not connected to your machine will help you avoid potential issues, should they arise. In event it does not work, follow the steps below.
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
1. Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
2. Screensavers written for the PowerPC System Preference add-ons
3. All Unsanity Haxies Browser and other plug-ins
4. Contextual Menu Items
5. Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5 Kernel extensions
6. Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior, TechTool Pro , SuperDuper , and Drive Genius work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
1. Intel In Macs
2. Apple Guide to Universal Applications
3. MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
4. MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
5. MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
6. Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
7. OS X Lion: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs. The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode. It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire.
If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.
2. Backup your data. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake
      or there's some other problem.
3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
4. Startup your old Mac in Transferring files between two computers using FireWire.
5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and
       registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your
       desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)
1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.
2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
a. MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch,
      Late 2008) - What to do if migration is unsuccessful;
b. MacBook Air - Migration Tips and Tricks;
c. MacBook Air - Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and
      wireless 802.11n networks.
Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder) /Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder) /Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder) /Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder) /Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder) /Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder) /Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist /Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft.
Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.Revised 5/21/2011

Will I be able to keep my old imac info if I upgrade to the new imac? I run 10.5.8

I want to buy one of the new iMacs but want to keep my old software/files from my old iMac which currently runs 10.5.8.
Is this possible? My Mac is quite old as i purchased it in 2004.
Thanks

A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
The Knowledgebase article Intel-based Mac: Some migrated applications may need to be updated refers to methods of dealing with migrating from PowerPC chips to Intel with the Migration Assistant safely. The authors of this tip have not had a chance to verify this works in all instances, or that it avoids the 10.6.1 and earlier Guest Account bug that caused account information to get deleted upon use of the Migration/Setup Assistant. However, a well backed up source that includes at least two backups of all the data that are not connected to your machine will help you avoid potential issues, should they arise. In event it does not work, follow the steps below.
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
1. Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
2. Screensavers written for the PowerPC System Preference add-ons
3. All Unsanity Haxies Browser and other plug-ins
4. Contextual Menu Items
5. Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5 Kernel extensions
6. Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior, TechTool Pro , SuperDuper , and Drive Genius work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
1. Intel In Macs
2. Apple Guide to Universal Applications
3. MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
4. MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
5. MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
6. Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
7. OS X Lion: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs. The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode. It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire.
If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:
1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.
2. Backup your data. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake
      or there's some other problem.
3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
4. Startup your old Mac in Transferring files between two computers using FireWire.
5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and
       registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your
       desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)
1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.
2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
a. MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch,
      Late 2008) - What to do if migration is unsuccessful;
b. MacBook Air - Migration Tips and Tricks;
c. MacBook Air - Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and
      wireless 802.11n networks.
Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder) /Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder) /Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder) /Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder) /Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder) /Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder) /Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist /Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft.
Credit goes to Macjack for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.Revised 5/21/2011

Using the new imac keyboard on the macbook pro

is there a software update that allows the use of the new features of the imac keyboard when hooked up to a Macbook pro (core2duo) It would be great if the screen brightness, dashboard keys, etc would function as they are labeled.

I suppose you're thinking of the 27" iMac that might be used as an ext screen and/or the 24" LED.
Both come with a MiniDisplayPort input - that will work with current MBpros. If you want to connect an older MacBookPro with only a DVI connector you'll need an additional DVI to MiniDP converter.
Such animals exist and cost approx 100 Euro like this one: http://www.atlona.com/Atlona-DVI-to-Mini-DisplayPort-Converter-p-17859.html
tot ziens

The Great iMac FireWire Mystery

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for