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mountainmama · May 31, 2008, 12:17 PM

Hi - I have a new iMac computer. Previously, I was using a Mac G4, but stopped using it last year when we installed cable into the house. (No one could figure out how to get it online.) Anyway, I had been a graphic artist up until 5 years ago. I have a lot of data that I'd like to retrieve, both from my old hard drive, and from many zip disks, as well. No one seems to be able to help me - can you?
Thanks

vingogly · May 31, 2008, 01:19 PM

It's very easy. You need a Firewire cable; connect the two Macs, then go to Applications>Utilities and run Migration Assistant. You can use it to select & move the files over. Since you have a lot of data, I definitely recommend using Firewire for the speed.

I'm assuming by "zip disks" you mean Iomega Zip Drive disks? If so, I'm not sure what problems you're having reading them. If not, explain what you mean by "zip disks" and I can help you further.

mountainmama · May 31, 2008, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by vingogly

It's very easy. You need a Firewire cable; connect the two Macs, then go to Applications>Utilities and run Migration Assistant. You can use it to select & move the files over. Since you have a lot of data, I definitely recommend using Firewire for the speed.

I'm assuming by "zip disks" you mean Iomega Zip Drive disks? If so, I'm not sure what problems you're having reading them. if not, explain what you mean by "zip disks" and I can help you further.

Many thanks for your response. I am not sure how much a Firewire cable is, but I will look into it immediately. In response to your question, I do mean Iomega Zip disks... the problem, once again, is that there is no USB port on the zip drive (it's pretty old), and Apple told me that a new zip drive wouldn't be able to read my old zip disks. Or I guess that if I get this Firewire I may just have to connect the zip drive to the old computer, and run it all through the old computer. I was hoping, in addition to retreiving data from the old computer, to just hook a zip drive into the new iMac, and then copy my old info. Onto CD's, if poss.

Thanks again for any advice.

vingogly · May 31, 2008, 04:49 PM

You should be able to get a converter cable that will convert whatever I/O port is on the Zip Drive to USB for maybe $20. If you tell me the port type, I can look it up for you. You can get a FireWire cable for around the same amount at your local computer store (or online at a place like MacMall).

Do you have an Apple Store near you? I'd take the Zip Drive there and ask them to fix you up with a cable to convert the output to USB. They'll have Firewire cables, too.