Tech-Ease: Files and Sharing Questions and Answers

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How do I connect two Macs to share files using a Firewire cable?

If you have an iSight camera, you can use the FireWire cable that comes with your iSight camera to connect your computer to another Mac to transfer files. To do this, you will need to boot one of the computers in Target mode by rebooting that system and holding down the T key while it reboots. The screen on that laptop will show the FireWire icon to let you know it is in Target mode. A Firewire connection is an easy and fast way to transfer files.

Once you have connected the two computers, the one in Target mode (the target computer) will be displayed as a drive icon on the desktop of the one you booted up in normal mode (also known as the host machine).

Target Drive Icon on Desktop

To copy files, open the drive icon by double-clicking on it and locate the files you want to copy on the target computer's hard drive. You can then drag those files over to your computer (the host computer). When you're finished copying files, you must eject the Target computer by dragging the icon for its drive to the Trash. The Trash will change to an eject icon as you drag. You can also open a Finder window and use the eject button next to the drive's icon.

Eject buttons in Finder window

Once you have ejected the Target drive, you can unplug the Firewire cable and reboot the other computer to bring it up in normal mode.

Additional Websites

Mac 101: The Grand Tour

Mac OS X Hints

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: Basics of Working with OS X

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Tech-Ease for Mac is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Windows site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse. Funding for Tech-Ease content development has been provided by the USF College of Education and various grants from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2009 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.

			Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	FILES FAQ	SEARCH
How do I connect two Macs to share files using a Firewire cable? If you have an iSight camera, you can use the FireWire cable that comes with your iSight camera to connect your computer to another Mac to transfer files. To do this, you will need to boot one of the computers in Target mode by rebooting that system and holding down the T key while it reboots. The screen on that laptop will show the FireWire icon to let you know it is in Target mode. A Firewire connection is an easy and fast way to transfer files. Once you have connected the two computers, the one in Target mode (the target computer) will be displayed as a drive icon on the desktop of the one you booted up in normal mode (also known as the host machine). To copy files, open the drive icon by double-clicking on it and locate the files you want to copy on the target computer's hard drive. You can then drag those files over to your computer (the host computer). When you're finished copying files, you must eject the Target computer by dragging the icon for its drive to the Trash. The Trash will change to an eject icon as you drag. You can also open a Finder window and use the eject button next to the drive's icon. Once you have ejected the Target drive, you can unplug the Firewire cable and reboot the other computer to bring it up in normal mode.			Additional Websites Mac 101: The Grand Tour Mac OS X Hints University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: Basics of Working with OS X
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	FILES FAQ	SEARCH
Site Map \| Submit a Question \| About Tech-Ease \| Privacy Policy \| ETC Home Tech-Ease for Mac is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Windows site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse. Funding for Tech-Ease content development has been provided by the USF College of Education and various grants from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2009 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.