Trying to network iBook (OS9) w/ G4 running 10.3.9

Question

Some of the other threads on here helped me with the set up but when I make the connecting from the G4 it asks which disk I'd like to mount but gives me no choices. My G4 does not have Classic installed. Is that the reason it can't get anywhere with the iBook? Does anyone have a way that I can connect the two so I can get files off the iBook?
Thanks!
Erin

Answer 1

Hi Erin. You don't need Classic, although connecting OS 9 to OS 9 is way smoother and easier.
First you have to start up sharing on both machines: the Tenner in System Preferences>Sharing and the Niner in the FileSharing Control Panel, be sure to check "Enable clients to connect over TCP/IP" on the Niner.
Next you have to allow selected users to connect: When you're having troubles getting set up, it's easiest to allow a user to connect with no Password until you're setup's OK. Alternatively, make both machine's Owner/User and Owner/User's Password exactly (emphasizing "exactly") the same. Later you can change to whatever security complexity gives you comfort. On the Niner this is done in the Users and Groups part of the FileSharing CP: enable Guest or create a User to match a User on the Tenner. On the Tenner in System Prefs>Accounts do the same, but don't create one called Guest UNIX as that would mess up UNIX's existing 'guest' user.
One more thing FWIW: on the Tenner, find Directory Access in Utilities and make sure AppleTalk access is enabled. Ditto in the confusing Network Pane of System Prefs, where you must also make sure you have your internet and ethernet settings enabled.
Finally: make sure you have a functioning physical (OK, wireless will do but you're adding more things for Murphy's Law to act on) connection between the machines. Best would be ethernet wired to a router connected to the internet, and it's what you should aim for in your dream world. That way if each machine can surf da' Weeb, you know the wiring is OK, and Bonus! each will have a static IP address assigned by the router. Once each machine knows its opposite's number, connection's almost easy, and since the IP numbers are static, so is re-connecting
Next best is both separately but simultaneously on the internet. In that case each will have an IP assigned by your internet service provider (usually using DHCP). You can read the Niner's IP addy in the TCP/IP Control Panel and the Tenner's in System Prefs>Network (which is where, if all else fails, you actually turn on AppleTalk) and enable Ethernet (On the Niner that's in AppleTalkCP Connect via: Ethernet)
If you must use AppleTalk because one or both machine lacks an IP addy, be warned that the Tenner hates AT, and that there's really no tinkering I can suggest. It can be made to work; I've done it; I haven't any notion how.
So now: restart both machines, just to make the whole thing a bigger deal, and when they're both up and proven by internet connection, use Chooser (click on AppleShare) or NetworkBrowser (in your Apple Menu) from the Niner and the the Tenner's Finder>Go>Network or Go>Connect to server… menu to see and connect to the other. The usual double clicking on the other puter's icon should make it happen. If it doesn't you may have to enter the target box's IP addy in the appropriate place in Chooser or Servers windows.
Once you have made a connection, you'll find that even having one owner's name and p-word for both doesn't get you clear of X's owner/permissions swamp. The Shared and dropbox folders are the only ones I'd count on being able to access. But you can certainly alter ownerships and such at you own risk. Going the other way, the Owner is the owner, those are your files on the Niner. But any Guests or other Users will need to have access set in the Get info… window of each volume, file or folder using the Sharing drop down. I was once warned never to "…copy these privileges to all enclosed" but I can't say why and I've never felt the need to.
Once you're connected, make aliases of the Tenner's target files on the Niner. Double clicking them later will bring up the connection dialogue window like magic. Sadly, it's positively dangersous to try the operation going the other way as the Tenner will freeze for quite while, searching the known universe for its OS9 buddy, before it tells you there's no such machine known.
If you were bootable in OS 9 on both machines, I'd very strongly urge you to do your transfer that way. Nine was filesharing "for the rest of us", but if this is going to be an ongoing thing (as X most certainly is) then you might as well start tasting the raw computerese the PCPeople have grown up with which is Networking in X. If you can't make it work, I'd suggest a follow-up post in that branch of the Forums, but with the caveat that straight crossposting's not done.
Hope this helps, I had no idea I would run so long. FWIW many have told me 10.2 (Jaguar's) networking was as easy as OS9's used to be, but that 10.3 broke it. So do not give up to soon, many others have shared your frustration.