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Q
& A:
Power
Mac G4 Q & A:
Storage & Peripherals
How
can I transfer files from my existing Mac to my
Power Mac G4?
You have many options for transferring files from your existing Mac to your Power Mac G4. The easiest way may be to network your older Mac and Power Macintosh G4 together for easy file transfer. If your older Mac has Ethernet built in, like all Power Macs and some Quadras, you usually will just need a simple crossover cable or standard Ethernet cables and a hub to connect two Macs together. You can look up your Mac or MacOS-Compatible here on EveryMac.com to see if your Mac has Ethernet pre-installed. The excellent Mac networking site, Three Macs & A Printer, covers basic types of networking in-depth.
All Power Macintosh G4 models released prior to August 13, 2002, ship with the option of an internal Zip drive, and have the internal connectors to add one later as well. If your older Mac already has a Zip drive, one easy way might be to purchase a Power Macintosh G4 with an internal Zip drive (models released before August 13, 2002) or an external Zip drive (models released after August 13, 2002) and transfer all of your files from your older Mac to your new one via Zip cartridges. If your older Mac has a CD-R/CD-RW drive, it may be even easier, and less expensive, to copy files to CD, and then transfer them to your Power Macintosh G4. Or, if you have an abundance of old floppy disks and your older Mac has a floppy drive, you simply can add an external floppy drive to your Power Macintosh G4, such as the Imation USB SuperDisk, which reads and writes standard 1.44 MB disks and 120 MB SuperDisks.
If neither networking or removable storage transfer are feasible, but both Macs have modems (most Power Macintosh G4 models shipped with one pre-installed, and all currently shipping models have one), an easy way to transfer files is to stuff and binhex the files you wish to transfer using Aladdin Systems' StuffIt. Just go online with the older Mac, log onto a server, and upload the files. Then log off with the older Mac, log onto the server with the new Mac and download your files. Translate and decompress the files using StuffIt Expander, and you're ready to go. Obviously, this type of file transfer is intended to be somewhat secure as long as it is encrypted and password protected, but you still shouldn't transmit any sensitive information.
If server space is not readily available, you can sign up with a website that provides free server space intended for file transfer. Alternately, you can stuff and binhex files on your older Mac and e-mail them to yourself, and then check your e-mail on the new Mac to download them. This works best for files that are only a couple of megabytes in size, and keep in mind that e-mail transmissions are not secure.
All models in the Power Macintosh G4 series can also be connected to another FireWire-equipped Mac, by using "FireWire Target Disk Mode". In this mode, the other computer simply will appear as a second hard drive on the desktop of the Power Mac G4. According to Apple "to use Target Disk Mode, simply connect the computers using a FireWire cable, then start the second computer while holding down the "T" key on its keyboard." For additional information, please refer to Apple Support Document #58583.
What removable storage options are available for the Power Macintosh G4 series?
Originally, for immediate removable storage, the Power Macintosh G4 series could be configured with an internal Zip 100 drive or an internal DVD-RAM drive. Systems released on January 9, 2001 could be equipped with an internal Zip 250 drive and either a CD-RW drive or a CD-RW/DVD-R SuperDrive, depending on the model. Both the original "Quicksilver" systems, introduced on July 18, 2001 and discontinued on January 28, 2002, and the "Quicksilver" systems introduced on January 28, 2002 and discontinued on August 13, 2002, could be equipped with an internal Zip 250 drive and either a CD-RW drive, a hybrid CD-RW/DVD-ROM "Combo" drive, or a hybrid CD-RW/DVD-R "SuperDrive", depending on the model. On August 13, 2002, Apple dropped the internal Zip option, but added the option of pre-installing one or two CD-RW drives, hybrid CD-RW/DVD-ROM "Combo" drives, or hybrid CD-RW/DVD-R "SuperDrives". For the default configurations, please refer to the appropriate specs page for the model of interest.
External USB-based and FireWire-based removable storage can be added to any model quickly and easily. You can also use SCSI-based devices by adding a SCSI card to the Power Macintosh G4.
What ports are provided by the Power Mac G4 series?
The Power Macintosh G4 series includes two FireWire ports (three, including one FireWire "800" port after January 28, 2003), two USB ports (dual-channel in AGP-based models), a 10/100Base-T Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T after July 19, 2000), an optional modem port, sound in/out (no microphone between January 9, 2001 and August 13, 2002), a security port, "hard" and "soft" power (no "soft" power after January 9, 2001), and a standard VGA port that is provided by a video card in either the AGP slot, in AGP-based models, or in the fourth PCI slot, in PCI-based models.
Different graphics cards pre-installed after July 19, 2000 add the ADC (Apple Display Connector), which carries analog and digital video signals, USB data, and power in the same cable to reduce clutter.
Other connection types can be added with PCI cards.
What is the difference between the Apple speaker minijack and the headphone jack?
From Apple's own Power Macintosh G4 "Quicksilver" FAQ, but relevant for Power Macintosh G4 "MDD" systems as well: "Headphones or externally powered speakers connect to the standard headphone jack. The Apple speaker minijack is designed specifically for use with the Apple Pro Speakers--it connects to a powerful amplifier built into the Power Mac G4."
How can a microphone be connected to the Power Macintosh G4?
Power Macintosh G4 models shipped between January 9, 2001 and August 13, 2002, including the "Quicksilver" models, do not have an analog microphone port, and as such you will need to either use a USB-based microphone, or an analog-to-USB adapter to use a traditional analog mic with these systems. The Power Macintosh G4 "MDD" series re-introduced an analog stereo line in port.
What is meant by "dual-channel" USB ports?
Unlike some earlier USB-based Macs, which have two USB ports on a single 12-megabits-per-second channel, AGP-based Power Macintosh G4 models have two USB ports each with an independent 12-megabits-per-second channel. This means that USB-based peripherals have twice the bandwidth available, which should improve the performance significantly.
Can external SCSI be added to the Power Mac G4 series?
Yes. An Adaptec SCSI card can be added at the time of purchase or added after the sale so that SCSI-based devices can be used. It should be noted that the Adaptec SCSI card 2906 that is available as a pre-installed option does not support "booting", limiting usefulness for emergency uses. Numerous SCSI cards from other companies are also available.
Apple mentions that almost every peripheral that is SCSI-based is now also available with either USB or FireWire support, and USB and FireWire are "hot-swappable" and easier-to-use than SCSI-based products. While this is true, if you already own several relatively expensive SCSI-based devices, a SCSI card can be a valuable investment.
What adapters are available for "legacy" devices?
Various companies are busy manufacturing adapters that will allow ADB, SCSI, and serial-based devices work with USB and FireWire.
An ADB-to-USB adapter available from Griffin Technology, dubbed the iMate, will allow you to hook up ADB-based keyboards, mice, joysticks, trackballs, scanners, and such to the Power Macintosh G4.
Many companies are producing Serial-to-USB adapters that will make some serial devices work with Power Macintosh G4 models, including Momentum's uConnect device.
Although a SCSI-to-USB adapter is slow, as USB cannot handle the transfer speeds that SCSI can, Momentum has released a SCSI-to-USB adapter that gets the job done in a pinch. SCSI-to-FireWire adapters are also available.
Is the iMac keyboard and mouse standard with the Power Mac G4 series?
Originally, Apple decided to use the standard iMac keyboard and mouse with the Power Macintosh G4 series. This proved to be annoying for those with larger hands or those used to a full-sized keyboard.
Fortunately, Apple listened to the grumbling of the crowd and released a much better Apple "Pro" keyboard and ergonomic optical mouse. The "Pro" keyboard and mouse were provided standard with all models shipped after July 19, 2000, but can also be purchased independently from Apple.
Are alternate keyboards and input devices available? Color-compatible?
USB-based "replacement" keyboards and mice from MacAlly, and other companies, are available in the graphite and ice color scheme of early systems in the Power Macintosh G4 series, in addition to other colors.
All models in the Power Macintosh G4 series shipped after July 19, 2000 include an excellent color-matched extended keyboard and optical mouse, so "replacement" is no longer a "requirement" for most users, but third-party keyboards, mice, trackballs, and the like are still available.
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