# Transferring files from PowerBook G4 to MacBook Pro **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 29, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508 "2012-12-29T19:34:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/1 "2012-12-29T19:34:42Z")
Please explain as if I am a three-year-old. I got my old PowerBook G4 back from the shop. I want to transfer my documents and pictures from it to my MacBook Pro. I’ve turned Sharing on, on both computers. When I open Finder, I see the other computer. On each computer I see [My] Public Folder. When I click on that, I see Drop box. I cannot open Dro box on either computer because it says I don’t have permission, and there is no where to give myself permission. (I’ve never used Drop box on any computer, so I don’t know how it’s supposed to work.) This is what I want to do: [ul][li]Create a folder on the MacBook desktop. (Which I’ve done.)[/li][li]Get all of my documents and photos from the old computer and put them in the new folder[/ul][/li]How do I do this? I do not want to connect with a cable and start the PowerBook in Target mode. It should be much simpler than that. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/2 "2012-12-29T19:45:25Z")
What are your OSX versions? Some quick googling indicates that there are various kinds of permission errors, including the problem of the files being transferred but you’re unable to access them. Have you tried repairing your disk permissions? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/3 "2012-12-29T19:54:08Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > How do I do this? I do not want to connect with a cable and start the PowerBook in Target mode. It should be much simpler than that. I can’t imagine how anything could possibly be simpler than using target mode. Seriously, you hold down “t” while starting the PowerBook, and you instantly have the world’s most expensive external drive. No network connections to set up, no file permissions issues, just drag the files you want and you’re done. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/4 "2012-12-29T19:55:20Z")
10.7.5 on the MacBook Pro, 10.5.8 on the PowerBook G4. Repairing permissions now. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/5 "2012-12-29T19:56:24Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > I can’t imagine how anything could possibly be simpler than using target mode. Something like, selecting the files on the old computer and dragging them over to the new computer – without connecting a cable or rebooting in Target mode. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/6 "2012-12-29T19:59:23Z")
In System Preferences, in the Sharing section, there should be a section for File Sharing that lets you specify which folders are shared. If you just turn File Sharing on but don’t actually share any folders, the only shared folder is that Public Folder one, which doesn’t have anything in it. (Ignore Dropbox; it will not help you if you haven’t got it set up.) Add the folder you want to share to the File Sharing section, and that should do it. I would give more specific instructions but you and I are on different OS versions. Edit: Actually [this MacWorld article](http://www.macworld.com/article/1132002/mobilemac2503.html) has specific instructions for setting up file sharing in Leopard, which is what your PowerBook is running. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/7 "2012-12-29T20:26:13Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Edit: Actually [this MacWorld article](http://www.macworld.com/article/1132002/mobilemac2503.html) has specific instructions for setting up file sharing in Leopard, which is what your PowerBook is running. I’m not getting it. > [@](#): > > Once you’ve set up file sharing, other users can access your Mac by selecting it from the Shared list in the Finder. OK, this is what I have: [ul][li] **MacBook** : File sharing is checked. File Sharing: On[/li][li] **PowerBook** : File sharing, printer sharing, Web sharing, Remote Login, Remote management, all on. File Sharing: On[/li][li] **MacBook Finder** : Shared: [My] PowerBook G4[/li][li] **PowerBook Finder** : Shared: [My] MacBook Pro[/ul][/li]Click on each computer in the Shared device in Finder. In the files section: [ul][li] **MacBook** (i.e., the window on the MacBook): [My] Public Folder[/li][li] **PowerBook** (i.e., the window on the PowerBook): [My] Public Folder[/ul][/li]Clicking on the Public Folder or either computer brings up Drop Box. And that’s where it ends. There doesn’t appear to be any way for me to look at the PowerBook from the MacBook, and choose files to drag to the MacBook; nor is there a way to look at the MacBook from the PowerBook, and choose files to drag to the MacBook. EDIT: I mean, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be able to select files on the PowerBook and just drag them to the (shared) MacBook. . ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/8 "2012-12-29T20:35:59Z")
I don’t know anything about the PowerBook G4, but this is what I do when I’m on my Laptop and want to navigate to my desktop: Open up a finder window. Click on the computer I want to access in my “Shared” column on the left. Click on “Connect As…” Type in the user name and password for my target computer. Voila, I’m in and can access all my files. I only have Intel Macs here, so I don’t know if the PowerPCs have some other way of doing things. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/9 "2012-12-29T20:36:54Z")
Ah-ha. OK, this is confusing and I can’t believe there hasn’t been a lawsuit about this. When you said “Dropbox” I assumed (and I think you meant) the online cloud storage service called Dropbox. That is not what is showing up on your Macs. Your Macs have a public folder called a Drop Box, which you can easily drop things into so that you can access them via file sharing. So go ahead and try that. Alternatively, you can create any folder you like to use as your shared folder and then just go into the File Sharing settings and specify that folder to be shared. (Click the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the section where it says Shared Folders to add a new one. Make sure that under Users, “Everyone” is set to Read & Write access, OR add your own user name and password to be able to access it.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/10 "2012-12-29T20:41:16Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Open up a finder window. > > Click on the computer I want to access in my “Shared” column on the left. > > Click on “Connect As…” > > Type in the user name and password for my target computer. > > Voila, I’m in and can access all my files. I’m not entirely sure how to do that. I haven’t seen ‘connect as’. > [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Ah-ha. OK, this is confusing and I can’t believe there hasn’t been a lawsuit about this. When you said “Dropbox” I assumed (and I think you meant) the online cloud storage service called Dropbox. > > That is not what is showing up on your Macs. Your Macs have a public folder called a Drop Box, which you can easily drop things into so that you can access them via file sharing. So go ahead and try that. > > Alternatively, you can create any folder you like to use as your shared folder and then just go into the File Sharing settings and specify that folder to be shared. (Click the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the section where it says Shared Folders to add a new one. Make sure that under Users, “Everyone” is set to Read & Write access, OR add your own user name and password to be able to access it.) I don’t have access to Drop Box on either computer, and I don’t know how to give myself access. I did add the HD using the + button, and it looks like it’s ‘preparing’ to copy an increasing number of files. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/11 "2012-12-29T20:44:32Z")
Here are the relavent screen shots: [First screen.](http://www.pawinskiphotography.com/public/firstshot.png) See on the left there my shared computer called Mac Desktop? I click on that and get what you see on the right. Note the “Screen Sharing” and “Connect As” buttons on the top right. Do you at least get the “Connect As” button? If so, click it. You then should see the following: [Second screen.](http://www.pawinskiphotography.com/public/connectas.png) Enter the credentials for your G4 and you should be able to browse normally. Like I said, I don’t know if this is specific to the Macs and operating systems I have, but I’ve been connecting this way since having OS X. ETA: And, yes, I know my name is revealed in these screen shots, but my real name is public here in my profile through my website address, so I don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![ed\_anger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbce88/32.png) [@ed\_anger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ed_anger)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/12 "2012-12-29T20:45:51Z")
the “simplest” thing to do is connect an external hard drive to the first computer, copy, then connect the drive to the second computer. unless you want to keep fucking around with OSX settings. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/13 "2012-12-29T20:48:56Z")
> [@ed\_anger](#): > > the “simplest” thing to do is connect an external hard drive to the first computer, copy, then connect the drive to the second computer. unless you want to keep fucking around with OSX settings. I usually use Migration Assistant myself, but dragging and dropping in the way I outlined above works fine, albeit a bit slowly. I transfer files wireless between my laptop and desktop all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/14 "2012-12-29T21:01:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I usually use Migration Assistant myself, but dragging and dropping in the way I outlined above works fine, albeit a bit slowly. I transfer files wireless between my laptop and desktop all the time. Hm. I do see Migration Assistant. It won’t run while anything else is open. I still have the box open saying it’s preparing to transfer. 60,000+ files so far… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/15 "2012-12-29T21:14:57Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Hm. I do see Migration Assistant. It won’t run while anything else is open. I still have the box open saying it’s preparing to transfer. 60,000+ files so far… Out of curiosity, with the screen shots I linked to above, are those options just not available on your computer? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/16 "2012-12-29T21:20:49Z")
For example: If I just click the computer on the left, I will get the public folder, which is very limited to what I can see and do. You generally cannot see into a shared computer’s Drop Box–you can only “drop” things there, and the other computer can see what’s going on. So, if I wanted to transfer from your G4 to your MBP, I would go into the G4, navigate to the Drop Box on the MBP, and drop the folders I want into it. Then, on the MBP, when I navigate to the MBP’s own Drop Box, I should be able to pull them off. It’s basically functioning like a mail slot. You can put things in, but you have to be the owner of the mailbox to take things out. Drop Box is meant to be a mail slot where other users can drop things off on your shared computer, but don’t have access beyond that, which is a good thing when you’re networking. Or, you could just “Connect As…” and drag and drop normally. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/17 "2012-12-29T22:13:19Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Out of curiosity, with the screen shots I linked to above, are those options just not available on your computer? I’ve been using Migration Assistant, which will not allow anything else to be open. OK… It looks like files have been transferred. Only it looks like everything went into ‘All My Files’, as there was no option to transfer to a specific place. Also, it looks like it may have transferred Applications but not Documents. Kind of a mess. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/18 "2012-12-29T22:23:22Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’ve been using Migration Assistant, which will not allow anything else to be open. > > OK… It looks like files have been transferred. Only it looks like everything went into ‘All My Files’, as there was no option to transfer to a specific place. Also, it looks like it may have transferred Applications but not Documents. Kind of a mess. “All my files” is just all your files - it’s a smart folder, not a real one. If you used Migration Assistant, your files got transferred to the same directories they were in. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/19 "2012-12-29T23:02:04Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > “All my files” is just all your files - it’s a smart folder, not a real one. If you used Migration Assistant, your files got transferred to the same directories they were in. After transferring, I searched for a random file and couldn’t find it. I ended up just using the cable and booting the G4 in Target mode. Got the files I wanted, and it was a lot faster than using Migration Assistant; but I wish there was an easier way to drag-and-drop. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508/20 "2012-12-29T23:05:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > After transferring, I searched for a random file and couldn’t find it. > > I ended up just using the cable and booting the G4 in Target mode. Got the files I wanted, and it was a lot faster than using Migration Assistant; but I wish there was an easier way to drag-and-drop. Spotlight probably wasn’t done indexing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transferring-files-from-powerbook-g4-to-macbook-pro/645508.md?page=2)