Can I Use My iMac Optical Drive In Place Of Macbook Drive?

So I have a Macbook (late 2008 model), and the optical drive essentially went bye bye. If I put a disc in, it will have trouble recognizing it and then it will eject out. Anyways, last night, I did some maintenance on OnyX and it said that my volume needs to be repaired. Even Disc Utility failed to finish and said that the "filesystem verify or repair failed."
The short of it, I need to put the Leopard disc in there and do a disc repair. However, is there a way, via firewire, where I could actually use my iMac's optical disc drive in place of the Macbook and connect via firewire, then do the disc repair? If so, what would be the specific way to do this?
Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Connect the two with a Firewire cable. Boot the MB into Target Disk Mode. It's drive should mount on your iMac's Desktop. You can then run Disk Utility and try repairing the drive in the MB.
You don't need to use the iMac's optical drive unless you have to install OS X onto the MB.

Similar Messages

  • Can I use my Imac as a monitor for my Macbook Air?

    Can I use my iMac as a monitor for my Macbook Air?

    Without any knowledge of the year machines you have it's impossible to answer that question. iMacs adn MBA's have been around for many years now so we have no idea of the exact specs your machine have. Remember when posting you need to be complete and paint a picture for us as we aren't there to look for ourselves. Your question should be  posted something like:
    " I have a 2011 27" iMac and a 2009 MacBook Air, can I use the iMac as an external display for my MacBook Air?"
    BTW what you are referring to is called Target Display Mode. Apple does support that on some 2009-2011 iMacs. You can find additional information at:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3775

  • Can i use my imac as a monitor for my macbook

    I imac is no longer working for what I need it to anymore because I can no longer be updated. I have the last imac before the intel chip was added. Anyway I have a macbook now and I want to know if I can use the Imac as a monitor for my macbook or is this computer garbage now and I need to just go buy a real monitor? Thanks J.Storm

    Use a product such as ScreenRecycler.
    (63124)

  • Can I use my iMac as a 'display' for my MacBook Pro?

    Hi all, I am really hoping someone can help me here.
    I am wondering if I can use my 24" iMac as a display for my MacBook Pro (both running Snow Leopard).
    It's my father's 80th birthday party in about 24 hours time. I am doing up the music and slideshow (thanks Apple - so easy!).
    My plan was to simply take my iMac and use it. However, I managed to drop the wireless keyboard (darn those dogs) and now my keyboard won't work. I have no backup keyboards here (gave the wired one to Dad to use with his Mac mini). I live in a country area with no access to a Mac store and it will take more than 24 hours to get a new one. Went to my local 'other computer' general store last night: I really don't want to buy an ugly black keyboard..... I have just had a great idea:
    Can I network my MacBook Pro and use it as the source for the slide show and simply use the iMac as a display? I have plenty of DVI adaptors but am just not sure how I would go about the software side of things? Or should I simply buy an ugly PC keyboard (and if I do, will the WIndows button work as an Apple button???)
    Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
    Thanks!

    The imac 24 can't be used as a monitor over a DVI connection or the like, Suzanne, but you may be able to achieve what you want to using "Screen Sharing" by networking the two computers. This lets your MBP effectively control what is running on the iMac.
    See HERE for the basic setup. For information about how to access the "shareable" screen from the MBP see HERE.
    One possible problem may be actually getting this set-up on the iMac if it is not already enabled, however, unless you can borrow a keyboard from someone (your password may have to be entered to enable it). You may be able to get around this, if necessary, using the "keyboard viewer" (which you can place in the menubar using System preferences > Keyboard, if you don't already have it there).
    Cheers
    Rod

  • Can I use my iMac as the display with my MacBook Air?

    Here is the hardware configuration of my iMac:
    Hardware Overview:
      Model Name: iMac
      Model Identifier: iMac9,1
      Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
      Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
      Number Of Processors: 1
      Total Number Of Cores: 2
      L2 Cache: 6 MB
      Memory: 4 GB
      Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
      Boot ROM Version: IM91.008D.B08
      SMC Version (system): 1.36f3
      Serial Number (system): QP9110FF0TH
      Hardware UUID: 27452321-D9B4-5639-8CC0-8BC5543A76CC
    I can't tell from the documents posted about Target Display Mode whether my iMac is properly equipped. Help!

    Target Display Mode- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    iMac- How to use your iMac as a Target Display Mode display
    Target Display Mode 2009 & 2010 iMacs

  • Can I use my iMac as Monitor for "dead" iBook Screen

    Help
    My severely aged iBook G3 seems to have lost its visuals. The screen is dead. I hear the hd spool up and everything seems to be working I just can't see... I have a G5 iMac. Can i use the iMac as a monitor so that I can see to back up my iBook HD or can i share so that my iMac can see the iBook??? My banking/scheduling are on the iBook so I'm a bit stressed. HELP!

    That's a terrible way to do an emergency shutdown, and it could cause hard drive damage. The proper way to do a forced shutdown is to hold down the power button for 5 to 10 seconds. Even that can cause problems for the hard drive.
    If the Host computer has the same or newer operating system as the iBook, use Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility) to select the hard drive of the iBook and repair it. Then open Disk Utility from the hard drive of the iBook and repair permissions on the iBook's hard drive.
    If the Host computer has an older operating system than the iBook, use the Host's computer optical drive and Disk Utility from the Install disc for the OS of the iBook in order to repair the hard drive. Then open Disk Utility from the hard drive of the iBook and repair permissions on the iBook's hard drive.

  • Can I use a mini CD-R in my PowerBook CD Drive?

    Can I use a mini CD-R in my PowerBook cd drive? I wanted to transfer some photo's to the Sony Mini CD-R that came with a PSP to then put on the PSP.
    But the Mini CD-R is so small I'm afraid to try to slide it into the PowerBook cd slot and not get it out.
    Thanks

    Can I use a mini CD-R in my PowerBook cd drive?
    No.
    ... the Mini CD-R is so small I'm afraid to try to slide it into the PowerBook cd slot and not get it out.
    That's exactly what can happen.
    Apple says don't do it.

  • Can i use my time capsule to wirelessly backup my macbook and its external hard drive, which up until now was it's time machine and storage? How?

    Can i use my time capsule to wirelessly backup my macbook and its external hard drive, which up until now was it's time machine and storage? How?

    The external drive must be connected to the Mac using either USB or FireWire
    You must remove the external hard drive from the list of items that are "excluded" from backups in Time Machine Preferences.
    Here's how:
    Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
    Open Time Machine
    Click Options
    Look for the name of the hard drive in the list of "excluded" items and click on it to highlight it
    Click the -- (minus) button at the bottom of the list to remove the hard drive from the list of "excluded" items....so it will now be backed up
    Strongly recommend that you do the first backup using Ethenret from your computer to the Time Capsule since the entire contents of the external drive will be copied on the first pass. Ethernet will be 3-5 faster than wireless.
    Once you have the first backup done, you can use wireless for subsequent backups since they will nornally be much smaller....unless you add large files to the external drive.

  • Can i use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a backe up?? im thinking for music and photos

    Can I use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a back up?  I'm thinking for music and photos

    Nickles96 wrote:
    Hello friends.. I have a similar question, in that I would like to purchase the 2TB TC for use as a NAS device, in addition to taking advantage of the Air Port extreme.. Then I could dump my Linksys router.
    I was originally looking at a Synology NAS solution, but the TC seems like it can meet my needs.
    I have a Synology NAS as well as the Time Capsule.  If you look at the 3.2 beta program, the Synology actually attempts to replicate TC functionality in that you can use it with Time Machine on your Mac.
    I must say, Airport on the TC is definitely a nice feature!
    Nickles96 wrote:
    In addition to the obvious feature of the backup, can I indeed also use the TC as a NAS drive to access from remote locations (example from the office)?
    I'm surprised more people aren't using the TC as a dedicated NAS deviced.. I've searched high and low on forums around the web, and don't seem to see many people trying to use it as I've outlined.
    I can't see why this wouldn't fufill my needs, and take the place of a separate NAS solution (like the Synology, or iOmega, Seagate, etc....)
    Has anyone used this TC as such?
    Yes, you can do this and it's something I've been trying to do, but I'm currently having issues.  I have another thread stating I consistently get "connection failed" messages.  I'm basically storing my music/photo/video files on the TC and keeping my Mac hard drive fairly lean.  In terms of NAS functionality, the TC is very basic.  Synology/QNAP and others have a lot more features so don't rule them out.

  • How can i use the airport time capsule as a external hard drive?

    how can i use the airport time capsule as a external hard drive?

    Why do you recommend not place things like iTunes libraries or photo libraries on the drive? It was what I am looking for...
    I suggest that you ask the experts over in the iPhoto Support Community about their opinions on placing an iPhoto or Aperture library on the Time Capsule....even if you plan to use a wired connection for your Mac and the Time Capsule.
    But, if Terrence Devlin answers, be prepared for a lecture about why you should not ever do this.
    If you place the iTunes library on the Time Capsule, be prepared for iTunes to give you messages about not being able to find the library.
    In addtion, LaPastenague has the answer for you in a nutshell......corruption problems.
    Bottom line....the Time Capsule is for your backups.....not "everyday" files and especially not libraries.

  • Can I use my iMac Install Disc on Macbook Pro?

    Hi, all.  I was given a friend's old Macbook Pro and I'd like to put Boot Camp on it, but the Boot Camp instructions say I need an OSX Leopard install disc to do it.  Naturally, I just recently purged my own software binder and threw away all of my OSX discs except the one that came with iMac I recently purchased.  "Why would I need them any more?" said I.  Doh.
    I have no idea what cat Apple is up to now, but the Macbook is running 10.5.8 and the install disc from my iMac is 10.6.7.  My questions:
    1) Can I use my iMac install disc on my Macbook Pro, which is about 3-4 years old?
    2) Does OS 10.6.7 qualify as Leopard?  If not, will it work for what I'm trying to do?
    3) Do I need to update the Macbook OS to 10.6.7 to be able to use that disc for the Boot Camp install?
    Any information or advice would be appreciated.  Thanks!

    The only thing I'd add to this is that at one point in time you could go to an Apple store and purchase Lion on a USB stick.
    If your MBP was compatible and you could find one of those you could boot to it, install from it then setup bootcamp.
    Also if you are thinking bootcamp, also consider VMWare Fusion or Parallels which allow you to run Windows while still in OS X.

  • I cant seem to scan from my hp photosmart 7520 printer to my iMac but can scan using the iMac? photosmart cant see the iMac.

    I cant seem to scan from my hp photosmart 7520 printer to my iMac but can scan using the iMac? Photosmart cant see the iMac. Mac is wired to the router printer over wi fi.

    Hi Shlomi
    It worked!!! Thanks so much, I've been messing about with this for hours.
    As you are so good I do have another problem. I have another 2 pc's on the network that show on the iMac but iMac cannot conect to. One is XP and the other is Vista both with Norton fire wall installed.
    Any thoughts you have would be much appriciated
    Rob

  • I want to install a new hard drive on my 2008 MacBook but do not have the instillation discs that came with my computer.  Can I use instillation discs from a 2009 or 2010 MacBook?

    I want to install a new hard drive on my 2008 MacBook but do not have the instillation discs that came with my computer.  Can I use instillation discs from a 2009 or 2010 MacBook?  The hard drive I am planning to install is a WD Scorpio Black 500GB SATA 2.5'' internal hard drive.

    Sometimes they do work - i've done it before.  I have a late 2008 Macbook Uni and used the install dvd of my 2009 Macbook White and it worked.
    Why not just clone your hard drive?  It'll save you a lot of time doing a clone rather than doing a clean install.
    Unless you're having issues with your old set up or  your old hard drive is dead.
    You can download Carbon Copy Cloner - install your new hard drive in a external usb enclosure (around $10) and clone fromt here then test it before you install it in your Macbook.
    Once you've done the swap, you can install your old hard drive in the USB enclosure and use it as a backup drive.
    Good luck

  • Can I use time machine to back up via a hard drive connected by USB to a HomeHub router?

    Can I use time machine to back up via a hard drive connected by USB to a BT HomeHub router? Is there a better way to back up and store files than via the USB port on my new MacBook Pro? I'd like storage to be accessible from my earlier version MacBook too.

    I think you want to make backups without connecting a hard disk via USB. In other words, you want to have the data storage be shared in your home wirelessly.
    If this is the case, I recommend using a Time Capsule.
    Time Capsule works great with Time Machine. You can set up all your devices to automatically make backups on the Time Capsule wirelessly and effortlessly.

  • Can I use my Imac (mac os x 10.6.8 2.8 ghz intel core duo) as a second monitor for my mac book pro?

    Can I use my Imac (mac os x 10.6.8 2.8 ghz intel core duo) as a second monitor for my mac book pro?

    Click here and follow the instructions, or use a product such as ScreenRecycler over a network.
    (126809)

Maybe you are looking for