Migration problem - ethernet not given as an option

[annk]

We're trying to migrate from a MB running 10.5.8 to a brand new MBP. I've understood that wifi is hopelessly slow, so we'd like to do it by connecting the computers directly to each other via an ethernet cable.

Problem is that ethernet is not listed as an option. The new MBP tells us that in order to migrate from the MB, both computers must be online. No other options are listed.

This migration is happening as part of the setup process for the MBP. Should we go ahead and set up the new machine without migration, then migrate afterwards?

Any ideas?

 

[Comeagain?]

I believe if you have wifi off, and have both computers connected to the network, it will use Ethernet. That should be enough.

 

[annk]

I believe if you have wifi off, and have both computers connected to the network, it will use Ethernet. That should be enough.

That may well work. We were hoping to be able to connect them directly via an ethernet cable, since we know that's supposed to be an option, but we can try to connect them with ethernet cables via the router with wifi turned off. Thanks!

 

[Comeagain?]

That may well work. We were hoping to be able to connect them directly via an ethernet cable, since we know that's supposed to be an option, but we can try to connect them with ethernet cables via the router with wifi turned off. Thanks!

Let us know if that works.

 

[annk]

Let us know if that works.

Unfortunately, the router is in a room at the place we're staying where an ill individual has his bedroom (or adjacent to it, anyway). There was no good time to get in there to do what we needed to do, so we ended up using an external HD I have with me to let him (my son) create a Time Machine backup of the Macbook. We'll use that in migration assistant later today.

I'm still puzzled as to why using an Ethernet cable directly between the two machines wasn't possible. I found lots of instructions for migration assistent online that mentioned it as a possibility.

 

[S.B.G]

I'm still puzzled as to why using an Ethernet cable directly between the two machines wasn't possible. I found lots of instructions for migration assistent online that mentioned it as a possibility.

If I'm following this conversation correctly, you wanted to connect two computers directly together via Ethernet right? In that case, you cannot use a regular Ethernet cable, but must use a cross-over Ethernet cable.

But then, I don't know if MA is setup to use Ethernet [cross-over] or not.

 

[annk]

If I'm following this conversation correctly, you wanted to connect two computers directly together via Ethernet right? In that case, you cannot use a regular Ethernet cable, but must use a cross-over Ethernet cable.

But then, I don't know if MA is setup to use Ethernet [cross-over] or not.

At least one of the set of instructions I found stated that a cross-over cable wasn't necessary, but if you're right, that could be the reason it didn't work. And I suppose it might also be the reason Ethernet wasn't given as an option during the process.

We had updated the software on both laptops first, and I also downloaded the Leopard to Lion migration update.

 

[S.B.G]

At least one of the set of instructions I found stated that a cross-over cable wasn't necessary, but if you're right, that could be the reason it didn't work. And I suppose it might also be the reason Ethernet wasn't given as an option during the process.

We had updated the software on both laptops first, and I also downloaded the Leopard to Lion migration update.

Yep, any time you connect two computers directly together, a cross-over is required. The only other way is to use a router, switch or hub between them with regular straight-through cables.

I've never tried the MA via Ethernet and always used FireWire or USB.

 

[velocityg4]

If I'm following this conversation correctly, you wanted to connect two computers directly together via Ethernet right? In that case, you cannot use a regular Ethernet cable, but must use a cross-over Ethernet cable.

But then, I don't know if MA is setup to use Ethernet [cross-over] or not.

Pretty much any computer made in the last ten years can automatically make the needed adjustments making the crossover cable unnecessary. I think every Mac has been able to since at least the G4.

 

[S.B.G]

Pretty much any computer made in the last ten years can automatically make the needed adjustments making the crossover cable unnecessary. I think every Mac has been able to since at least the G4.

This is the first I've heard of that. Can you provide a link with documentation on that?

 

[BrianBaughn]

I did this two days ago. Set up internet sharing on one of the computers, sharing the wifi connection via ethernet. This will create a subnet through which the two computers can communicate the migration.

Be sure to turn the sharing off when you're done.

 

[annk]

I did this two days ago. Set up internet sharing on one of the computers, sharing the wifi connection via ethernet. This will create a subnet through which the two computers can communicate the migration.

Be sure to turn the sharing off when you're done.

I saw that possibility in one of the instructions I found. How long did it take, and how many gigs did you transfer?

As I mentioned, we ended up going with a TM backup, but for another time I'm curious if this was a fairly fast (= that is, not 30 hours) solution.

 

[Gav2k]

This is the first I've heard of that. Can you provide a link with documentation on that?

It is true I use a standard patch cable no x-over always auto negotiates.

Op- connect both macs before powering up and skip the wifi selection it should offer the Ethernet connection. If it doesn't then wifi off.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4413

 

[aristobrat]

This is the first I've heard of that. Can you provide a link with documentation on that?

Products that do not require a crossover cable:

All Intel-based Macintosh computers
iMac (17-inch 1GHz) and later
eMac (ATI Graphics) and later
iBook (Dual USB) and later
Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) and later
Xserve and later
Power Mac G5 and later
PowerBook G4 and later
Mac mini
AirPort Base Station (Dual Ethernet)
AirPort Extreme Base Station
AirPort Express
Time Capsule

Products that require a crossover cable if connecting to another product from this list:

Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
Power Mac G4 Cube
iMac
iMac (Slot Loading)
iMac (Summer 2000) (See Note)
iMac (Early 2001)
iMac (Summer 2001) (See Note)
iMac (Flat Panel)
iMac (17-inch Flat Panel)
eMac
PowerBook G3 Series (Bronze Keyboard)
PowerBook (FireWire)
iBook
iBook (FireWire)
AirPort Base Station (Graphite)
Apple TV

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2274

 

[annk]

...

Op- connect both macs before powering up and skip the wifi selection it should offer the Ethernet connection. If it doesn't then wifi off.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4413

We tried that, just as you describe. Only option we were given was wifi transfer.

 

[S.B.G]

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2274

Thank you; this was something I was not aware of of. Learning has occurred.

 

[annk]

Update: Finally migrated successfully via a Time Machine backup. Took a while for the MBP to recognise that there was a TM backup on the Western Digital My Passport, but when it finally did, the whole process only took 20 minutes.

 

[velocityg4]

This is the first I've heard of that. Can you provide a link with documentation on that?

It is Autosensing MDI/MDI-x. It started with Gigabit Ethernet but found it's way into newer 10/100 devices. I read about it in a computer magazine a long time ago. The only online source I can find that is considered legitamite would be a very brief overview by PC World.

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,1237,t=MDI+port&i=46692,00.asp

Apple products that do not require a crossover cable. Which are products with gigabit Ethernet. Which is pretty early on with the gigabit Ethernet PowerMac G4.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2274

Although Wikipedia is not always a reliable source. The article on MDI/MDI-X does have some good but brief references. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-MDIX#Auto-MDIX