Lets first look at the ports these two systems have in common:
Mac Mini Late 2005:
- Ethernet: 10/100BASE-T (RJ-45)
- FireWire: 400 MBit/s
Mac Mini Mid 2010:
- Ethernet: 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45)
- FireWire: - 800 MBit/s
So how can we connect these together? As it turns out you can do either! Each has their own issues.
Lets first work the Ethernet method. Here we would need a 100Base-T hub or switch as that is the common data rate between the systems, or we could just use an Ethernet cable back to back! (not using any hub or switch). You’ll need to get a Ethernet crossover cable to connect the two systems back to back. Here’s one source: 7' ft Foot Gray RJ45 Ethernet Network Cat6 Crossover Cable Cord
For FireWire we have two different connectors between the FireWire 400 and the FireWire 800 interfaces. The data rate can only go 400 MBit/s as thats the common rate. Again we just connect the two systems back to back. Here’s the needed cable FireWire 800 9-Pin To FireWire 400 6-Pin Cable
So once you have the connections you need to think how to get the systems to communicate over the connection. The easiest is to use the built-in Target Disk Mode. To do this you alter one system into a slave device (looks like an external drive) Restart the system holding the T key. And lastly, you can even leverage Migration Assistant to move your user accounts, apps & data over. Here’s more on that How to move your content to a new Mac
Reference: Mac startup key combinations
crwdns2934105:0crwdne2934105:0
crwdns2934113:0crwdne2934113:0
crwdns2915270:0crwdne2915270:0
crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0
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