pc to mac - firewire question

mmoin · Jan 13, 2003, 09:09 AM

Alright, at the moment I've got a 1ghz Dell laptop (inspiron 8000), and I'll be getting an 800mhz iBook in the next few days. I'm trying to figure out how to transfer files between the two, and I've already thought about using AIM, FTP, or my external firewire drive, but I have an idea.

Would it be possible to use a 4-pin (the dell's firewire port is 4-pin) to 6-pin firewire cable to connect the two computers, then use either the dell or the ibook as a firewire HD, so I could then easily move files between the two? If so, how would I do this?

Thanks, Andrew

Sepulchre · Jan 13, 2003, 09:31 AM

I use my OS 10.2 Desktop Mac and a Sony Vaio running XP Pro connected across my home 100 Base-T Network, I'm able to move files around no problem with this setup.

You could achieve the same thing with a simple cross over cable linking the two network ports (I presume the PC has an ethernet port btw).

Not sure about the firewire option though, maybe someone else can offer advice here?

Rich

primalman · Jan 13, 2003, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sepulchre
I use my OS 10.2 Desktop Mac and a Sony Vaio running XP Pro connected across my home 100 Base-T Network, I'm able to move files around no problem with this setup.

You could achieve the same thing with a simple cross over cable linking the two network ports (I presume the PC has an ethernet port btw).

Not sure about the firewire option though, maybe someone else can offer advice here?

Rich

The PowerBook has a sensing Ethernet port, which allows it to know if it is on a switch or hub, or just plugged into another computer. If you take any old Cat5 cable and plug it into the PB and the PC, you should be able to directly network with little problems. Otherwise, use a home network and you will be golden as well.

Sepulchre · Jan 13, 2003, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by primalman

The PowerBook has a sensing Ethernet port.

True, I forgot about that

mmoin · Jan 13, 2003, 02:34 PM

Really appreciate the help, guys. Just got off the phone with apple, and my ibook should be shipping today via fedex overnight, so it looks like I'll be getting it tomorrow. So I'll just use a regular ethernet cable between my Dell laptop and iBook, and it should work fine, I hope.

benixau · Jan 13, 2003, 02:38 PM

oh, ok. anyways just in case. you can turn your mac to firewire target disk mode. that makes it appear as an external firewire disk to all OS's that support them natively (<win98).

to do this when you mac boots up, press and hold T.

it should appear on your pc. to get out of this mode, just reboot your mac.

good luck.

Billicus · Jan 13, 2003, 08:09 PM

I didn't think Pc's could read HFS+ volumes...

Billicus · Jan 13, 2003, 08:10 PM

Rather own a Mac than a Dell

Only time can define the sanity remaining - J. Koke

Apple for Life

You're finally going to get to... Hope you have a good Mac experience.

primalman · Jan 14, 2003, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Billicus
I didn't think Pc's could read HFS+ volumes...

On OSX.2, when Windows File Sharing is turned on [SMB], Windows machines can see and write to Macs. They appear in the Windows Workgroup as any other Windows Machine.

Otherwise, in x.2, the Mac can see Windows Workgroups and Windows machines, and can connect to thier share points and read and write as normal.

It works pretty well, too!

Warning though!! If you are on a regular corporate type [Windows] network, beware opf leaving Windows File Sharing on on your Mac. The SMB services in X.2 will always attempt to become the browsemaster and screw up all the Windows boxes on your subnet. Contact Apple Support pages about this, there is a fix, but you have to go into terminal and edit the smb.config file. Ick!

gerror · Jan 15, 2003, 05:11 PM

I'm not sure but I heard once connecting 2 computers with a firewire cable would blow up at least one of them

iJon · Jan 15, 2003, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by benixau
oh, ok. anyways just in case. you can turn your mac to firewire target disk mode. that makes it appear as an external firewire disk to all OS's that support them natively (<win98).

to do this when you mac boots up, press and hold T.

it should appear on your pc. to get out of this mode, just reboot your mac.

good luck.

i wanna think that is a mac only thing.

iJon

primalman · Jan 15, 2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gerror
I'm not sure but I heard once connecting 2 computers with a firewire cable would blow up at least one of them

WTF?? That is crazy talk. I can tell you that does not happen, we do it quite often where I work.

Again, crazy talk.

iJon · Jan 15, 2003, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gerror
I'm not sure but I heard once connecting 2 computers with a firewire cable would blow up at least one of them

I think some people were saying that would happen with apples newly released IPoverFirwire.

iJon

gerror · Jan 15, 2003, 05:42 PM

Well, thanx for correcting me. I was damn sure about it.

Quote:

WTF?? That is crazy talk. I can tell you that does not happen, we do it quite often where I work.

Again, crazy talk.

Jan 13, 2003, 09:09 AM	#1
mmoin macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2001	pc to mac - firewire question Alright, at the moment I've got a 1ghz Dell laptop (inspiron 8000), and I'll be getting an 800mhz iBook in the next few days. I'm trying to figure out how to transfer files between the two, and I've already thought about using AIM, FTP, or my external firewire drive, but I have an idea. Would it be possible to use a 4-pin (the dell's firewire port is 4-pin) to 6-pin firewire cable to connect the two computers, then use either the dell or the ibook as a firewire HD, so I could then easily move files between the two? If so, how would I do this? Thanks, Andrew

Jan 13, 2003, 02:34 PM	#5
mmoin Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2001	Awesome Really appreciate the help, guys. Just got off the phone with apple, and my ibook should be shipping today via fedex overnight, so it looks like I'll be getting it tomorrow. So I'll just use a regular ethernet cable between my Dell laptop and iBook, and it should work fine, I hope.

Jan 13, 2003, 02:38 PM	#6
benixau macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia	oh, ok. anyways just in case. you can turn your mac to firewire target disk mode. that makes it appear as an external firewire disk to all OS's that support them natively (<win98). to do this when you mac boots up, press and hold T. it should appear on your pc. to get out of this mode, just reboot your mac. good luck. __________________ Rather own a Mac than a Dell

Jan 13, 2003, 08:09 PM	#7
Billicus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Charles City, Iowa	I didn't think Pc's could read HFS+ volumes... __________________ "...I know it's hard when you're up to your armpits in alligators to remember you came here to drain the swamp." - Ronald Reagan February 10, 1982

Jan 13, 2003, 08:10 PM	#8
Billicus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Charles City, Iowa	Rather own a Mac than a Dell Only time can define the sanity remaining - J. Koke Apple for Life You're finally going to get to... Hope you have a good Mac experience. __________________ "...I know it's hard when you're up to your armpits in alligators to remember you came here to drain the swamp." - Ronald Reagan February 10, 1982

Jan 13, 2003, 09:31 AM	#2
Sepulchre macrumors member Join Date: May 2002 Location: UK	I use my OS 10.2 Desktop Mac and a Sony Vaio running XP Pro connected across my home 100 Base-T Network, I'm able to move files around no problem with this setup. You could achieve the same thing with a simple cross over cable linking the two network ports (I presume the PC has an ethernet port btw). Not sure about the firewire option though, maybe someone else can offer advice here? Rich

Jan 15, 2003, 05:11 PM	#10
gerror macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Netherlands	I'm not sure but I heard once connecting 2 computers with a firewire cable would blow up at least one of them __________________ 'Every disadvantage has it's advantage'

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