I own a Macintosh G4 with two hard discs running OS 9.2.2  I plan to
buy a high-end Macintosh G5 running OS10.3.  Give me a step-by-step set
of operations for transfering my files, including data, from the G4 to
the G5.  Any additional hints for doing this with relatively small
pain would be appreciated.

Hi David,
  
This site gives clear step-by-step instructions on how to backup your OS 9 files:
http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/Backup/backup_mac9_to_x.html
  
And here, you'll also find step-by-step instructions on how to restore
your backed-up files onto a Macintosh with OS X:
http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/Backup/restore_mac9_to_x.html
  
OPTIONAL:
if you wanted to, you could repartition the G5's hard drive and
install OS 9 and X on separate partitions. This option is discussed
here:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20021014054815580%20
   
I hope the transer goes smoothly!
   
If anything is unclear, feel free to ask for clarification before
rating my answer and I'l be glad to assist further.
   
best wishes,
JACKBURTON-ga
  
  
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Search terms: [ transfer "os 9 files" "os x" ]

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Request for Answer Clarification by david_j_kaplan-ga on 14 Dec 2003 11:24 PST

On the two hard disks there resides about 50 Gb of  used memory.  I
had hoped that your answer would use cables of some sorr between the
G4 and G5.  Perhaps you could modify your answer to include this
situation

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Clarification of Answer by jackburton-ga on 14 Dec 2003 14:35 PST

Thank you for requesting clarification.

Transferring your files via Firewire is probably the simplest solution.
  
  
Transferring files via Firewire
  
"...if you just want to transfer files between two computers, you can
use FireWire to connect your computer to another computer and then
have it appear as an external hard disk on the other computer.
  
IMPORTANT: The computer you want to connect your computer to must have
FireWire version 2.3.3 or later installed. Use Apple System Profiler,
available in the Apple menu, to check the version of FireWire
installed. If you have an older version, check the Apple FireWire Web
site.
  
To connect your computer in FireWire disk mode:
1	Make sure that your computer is shut down and the power adapter is plugged in.
2	Use a FireWire cable with a standard 6-pin connector on each end to
connect your computer to another FireWire-equipped computer.
3	Start up your computer [preferably the G5] and immediately hold down the T key.
Your computer display shows the FireWire disk mode indicator. An icon
for your computer's internal hard disk appears on the desktop of the
other computer.
4	When you are finished transferring files, drag the hard disk icon of
your computer to the Trash.
5	Press the Power button on your computer to shut it down and then
disconnect the FireWire cable."
http://akagi.usask.ca/~syk573/eq/pgs/eqFwTDM.htm
  
Transfer files via Firewire
http://www.macmerc.com/articles/Troubleshooting_Tuesday/121
  
    
ALTERNATIVELY,
you can also transfer your files via Ethernet using an Ethernet
Crossover cable. Both the G4 and G5 have built in Ethernet. Plug each
end of the cable into the ethernet port.
    
The ethernet port looks like this: 
http://charm.cs.uiuc.edu/users/olawlor/ref/mac_ports/eth_10t.jpg
    
Once that's done, 
  
1 On the G4 computer, open the File Sharing Control Panel and then on
sharing, and note the owner name and the computer name in the network
identity field. I suggest leaving the owner password box blank, but if
you insist on a password, note it as well.
2.	Start up File Sharing, and make sure that the ?Enable file sharing
clients to connect over TCP/IP? box is checked. Make sure Ethernet is
selected in the AppleTalk control panel.
3.	On the G5 computer, pull down the Go menu in the Finder, and select
Connect to Server.
4.	When the dialog box opens, check on AppleTalk in the left-field,
and the name of your G4 computer should show up in the right field.
Click on the name to highlight it.
5.	Click Connect. A dialog box will appear asking for your identity.
Type the owner name the you entered in the OS 9 computer?s File
Sharing Control Panel, and the password if necessary. Another dialog
box will appear showing the hard-drive and/or other volumes and
partitions of the OS 9 machine. Select the volumes of you want to
access, and click OK.
6.	Icons for the selected volumes should appear on the OS X computer?s Desktop.
  
The Help Menu on each machine also has instructions. 
  
I hope this helps!
  
regards,
JACKBURTON-ga

Probably the easiest way to transfer the files is to connect a
firewire cable to both computers and with the G5 on and the G4 off,
start up the G4 with the "t" key down until you see the firewire logo
on the G4's screen. Its hard drive will mount on the G5 as if you
plugged a firewire drive in.