How can I boot from an external drive?

I am unsuccessful trying to have the external backup drive to boot the Powerbook. I tried first a USB Lacie Mobile Disk, then thinking USB was the problem I got a FireWire Little Disk of the same brand. None will boot even if the disk appears in the startup disk control panel. When I boot with option key, the choice is no longer there. Maybe they require a power supply other than the USB power lead? Any experience?

USB drives are not bootable for PowerBooks. FireWire drive usually needs to be used with the power supply since it consumes more power than the USB
Right! So there is no way to boot from an external without a power source.
Thanks Arnie.

Similar Messages

  • How do I boot from an external drive?

    I've just Carbon Cloned my 60GB drive to a firewire external drive. I'm about to replace the 60GB with a 160GB drive and the CCC instructions say boot from the external drive I'd just created once the new disk is installed. Then CCC the cloned drive back to the new hard drive.
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    Dick

    Thanks DWB. Being the rash impetuous guy I am I didn't wait for replies and just switched on the macbook after installing the new disk (which was so easy it was unbelievable - had to go and buy a a little torx bit though) to see what would happen.
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    When I went to CCC the external drive back to the new hard drive it didn't give show me the new hard drive so I guessed I'd have to do something to format (?) the hard drive.
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    Basically very impressive all round. Piece of proverbial to replace the disk and CCC made life so easy.
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  • Can I boot from an external drive with a "Virtual CD"

    I just purchased a Hitachi LifeStudio external hard drive for use as my Time Machine backup. When I plugged it in to my MacBook running 10.6.4, I realized that it had one of those "Virtual CDs" that contained the manufacturers crapware, similar to Western Digital's MyWare or whatever its called. It shows up in disk utility as an actual separate disk and not just another partition that can be wiped.
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    Yes, it's a known issue. You've already referred to the issue with WD systems. WD has a long list of products that are either not compatible with Macs or won't boot a Mac.
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  • How do you boot from an external drive when internal drive is dead?

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    Hold down the Option key when booting the computer.
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    G4 tower   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

  • Can I boot from an external drive

    Can I run snow leopard from an external drive? If so, would my user directory need to be moved to it?
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    I don't want to use the same OS. I need to go back to Tiger for a specific app.
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  • How do i boot from an external drive on my imac G4?

    ive have tried to press option to boot Leopard from a USB external drive. This does not work, it just takes me back to Tiger..
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    thanks

    jamesfromcanogapark wrote:
    ive have tried to press option to boot Leopard from a USB external drive. This does not work, it just takes me back to Tiger..
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    thanks
    First you say you have an iMac G4. Then at the end of your message you state specs that say Intel Core Duo.
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  • How can I boot from an external HDD that has an OS install on it?

    Hello,
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    Read Starting from an external USB storage device (Intel-based Macs)

  • Booting From An External Drive in OS 9.2?

    I have a G4 with a bad internal ROM drive. I am currently running OS 9.2.
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    O.

    Welcome to Apple Discussions!
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    And then you'll be able to install Mac OS X. Follow these precautions on my FAQ before doing so:
    http://www.macmaps.com/upgradefaq.html
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    Hi,
    Have you read the Windows7 Upgrade Guide for dv6000/dv9000 models so generously written and provided to the community by Expert member Daniel_Potyrala?
    Have you checked in the Device Manager to asee if all devices have drivers loaded?
    Have you tried the Microsoft Fixit for DVD/CD drives?
    ****Please click on Accept As Solution if a suggestion solves your problem. It helps others facing the same problem to find a solution easily****
    2015 Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience Consumer

  • How do I boot from an external hard drive if my MacBook Pro only recognizes the internal drive?

    Hi there, I recently got the white screen of death (w/ circle slash) on my 13" 2009 MacBook Pro. Most people are saying that it is hard drive failure, so I am trying to boot it from an external hard drive to save some of my data before having it repaired. Unfortunately, every time I press "option" while it boots, it only shows the internal drive on the grey screen. I have my external drive connected, but it won't recognize it. What should I do?
    Thanks!

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
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  • How Do I Always Boot From An External Drive

    I successfully installed Mac OS X 10.4.8 on an external hard drive. It boots successfully into OS X, but only if you press option on boot and select the drive or if you boot from the drive inside my Mac Mini and go to startup disk and select the external. Is there any way to just always boot from the external drive without doing anything? Thanks in advance for all of your help.
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    If booting from a cold start doesn't work but restarting after selecting the drive does work, then most likely the drive isn't ready when the Mac is doing the cold boot.
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  • Elitebook 8440p - recovery disc creation & booting from an external drive

    I have a brand new Elitebook 8440p & I have a couple of issues that I cannot seem to resolve.
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    Hi, Rich:
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    Here is how you order them:
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    2. Call HP at 1-800-952-7689, option 1 (ordering restore disks is part of the list in the option).
    3. Provide the info asked by the rep that answers the phone. Some just ask for the serial #, some want both, or they will just want the serial number and type of computer (8440p).
    4. Have a Master Card or Visa ready for purchasing. They don't take Discover. You will be charged $10.00.
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    Sorry, I can't answer your second question. I assume you have already tried hitting the F9 key at the HP splash screen to select the device to boot from?
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  • OSX 10.4 not booting from an external drive..

    I have an 1 Ghz G4 iMac that is causing some major headaches.
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    In order to sort out the problem I decided to install a fresh copy of OSX on an external firewire drive.
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    E.

    Since your machine crashed while running from the install disc, it sounds like there is a problem not related to the Operating System on your drive. Have you installed any ram, other than that which came with your iMac? If so, remove it and try to boot from your firewire drive again. (The installation onto that drive was sucessful, right?)If you're successful in booting the computer and it runs with more stablility minus any extra ram, you have a bad ram stick.
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    Original Information
    OS: 10.4.x
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    Okay just clarifying my INTERNAL hard drive is most likely dead, I am looking to install and boot from my external hard drive. According to this AHT article
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    Before starting AHT, be sure to disconnect all external devices except the keyboard, mouse, display, and Ethernet adapter. Also disconnect any external optical drives.
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