Installing OSX WITHOUT disc in Target Disc Mode

I have multiple computers that need to be updated- my question is this, once I have one computer fully updated how do I update the other computers in Target Disc mode?
I have attempted "restoring a disc" in Disc utility using the target disc as the destination, the host as the source, with no luck. All I get is the boot-up chime and then it freezes with a big apple icon on the screen. I have also trashed the old OS and drug in the new OS in Target disc mode and had more luck with that, although it took a LONG time. That way at least gave me a flashing question mark folder icon.
FYI- I have all the install discs for each computer, everything is above board, I am just trying to save time downloading update after update after update after update...

I see.
Consider the following:
Different Macs have different limitations regarding upgrading. Some can't go higher than Panther for instance. Whether upgrading to Panther or Tiger, each have minimum system requirements for RAM and hard disk space. Some older models from last decade even need a firmware update before they can take OS X.
So are these multiple computers a mixed bag or all similar? You may need to do some research for each of them.
Second, you say you have all the install disks for each. Are these the original grey disks which incidentally are machine specific, and furthermore will only install the OS that currently exists. Or have you purchased the Black Retail (Panther or Tiger) disks, which is what you will need to upgrade to a higher OS.
Regarding cloning and User's preferences. If there are different users with different preferences and settings these will necessarily be negated if a clone is applied - as the name would suggest an identical copy of one setup would be applied to all.
Is this what you really want?
If it is, and you are satisfied with all of the above considerations, this is how I would do it.
Two points first. A. If you use an external Firewire enabled Hard Drive, there will be no need to use Firewire Target Disk Mode. So you can avoid that complexity.
B. If you have tried to drag and drop an OS onto another disk, that will not work and you will probably have too reinstall that one from scratch, as that is definitely the wrong method.
So, 1. on Computer A use the Install disks to Upgrade using the Archive and Install method. This will preserve all preferences and existing applications.
+Insert the Install Disk 1 into the drive and then select Restart; when you hear the chime hold down C key until the apple logo appears.+
+This will take you to the installation software+
2. After it is installed, connect the external Hard Drive, knowing that is it formatted to HFS+ format and clone a copy of computer A's freshly upgraded OS onto it. I recommend SuperDuper as a good backup application, simply because I use it and it works well.
3. Once the clone is completed Restart the computer, and hold down the Option key to get to *StartUp Manager:*
Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume and select the external drive to test if it successfully boots. If it does, then Restart and just allow the computer to start up normally which will take you back to computer A. Do not disconnect the firewire cable by pulling it out. Once back on Computer A's desktop eject the external drive. Only when ejected may you detach the Firewire cable.
4. Go to computer B , start it, connect the ext. HD and Restart and boot into the External and clone it back onto Computer B.
regards roam
Message was edited by: roam
Message was edited by: roam

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See a brody's user tip "Restoring Mac OS 9 on a bootable Mac".
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Re-install OSX without losing Windows7 partition? (preserving Bootcamp)

Recently my computer stopped booting into mac OS (apparently unfixable, details on that deduction are below).
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Can anyone confirm that losing bootcamp is not a concern?
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here is quick snapshot of what it displayed, when this failed:
http://www.warrenblyth.com/remote/probs/iMacHOME-commandLine_s.jpg
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here is a quick snapshop of results:
http://www.warrenblyth.com/remote/probs/imac-verifyDiskFAIL_s.jpg
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http://www.warrenblyth.com/remote/probs/homeMac-partitions_s.jpg
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#1 You need a more robust program to fix the Mac boot drive like Alsoft Disk Warrior.
I stopped bothering with using Apple First Aid.
#2 You can lose Windows
#3 Try SuperDuper to clone Mac volume to another HFS+ partition.
HFS has its weaknesses. You probably continued using OS X after freezes or other problems.
Ideal is to reformat and restore both.
If there was a bad sector that is something chkdsk could deal with.
If the bad sector is in the hidden partition tables, you have to reformat.
Reformat is the best way going forward.
Even replacing a disk drive is something you can do. You probably want backup drive for each OS though.
And there are 3rd party disk maintenance programs. And should always be backed up and ready to restore a system without exception. Even if possible to doing trial runs to make sure how to.
I would spend the money to fix the directory in Mac OS X rather than the free reinstall of OS X - after making a bootable clone with SuperDuper, and repairing the clone as well first.
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Paragon for Mac
SuperDuper
DiskWarrior

Already installed OSX without updating firmware - a problem?

I’ve just installed Puma on a G3 iMac (slot loading) for a friend, and would like to upgrade to Panther.
Thanks to some helpful types on here today, I’ve realised I need to get the retail version to do this.
However, I didn’t update the firmware when I went from OS9 to OSX
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Is this a problem?
(it didn’t tell me it needed doing when I installed Puma)
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
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After OS Upgrade, Computer will No Longer Boot from Disc, Enter T-Disc Mode

I purchased the Leopard update about a week ago and proceeded to install it (upgrade option) on my MacBook Pro previously running Tiger. After this update, I no longer seem to be able to boot from a disc(c on startup), enter target disc mode(t on startup), enter single user mode(command s on startup), basically anything that requires hitting a key on boot. In short, the operating system seems to override any of those commands and just loads regardless of what I press.
How can I fix this?? I fear that if my mac suddenly dies, I won't be able to fix it with archive and install via the CD, since I can't boot from it. I also won't be able to recover my files with target disc mode or anything.
For more in-depth details:
-My hard drive does have an open firmware password- it was recommended as part of the undercover anti-theft program that I use. Although I can tell putting the password on was a mistake, since I've read that single user mode is no longer accessible with this password active. I don't think this is affecting my inability to boot from disc or target disc mode though, as I was always able to do this with Tiger, even with the firmware password active.
-I have tried booting from other discs, like my old tiger OS disc that came with the laptop- that fails too.
-My Leopard installation was not clean. Like many others, I used the upgrade option and it appeared to work ok- until restart, where I was faced with the blue screen. Since I was unable to boot to single user mode and try removing potential APE files, I let the computer sit for an hour on the blue screen until it finally loaded. Upon getting in, I found that I did not even have APE's installed. I proceeded to reinstall the operating system via an Archive & Install. Upon boot after this reinstall, I still received a blue screen that lasted a long time, and the OS loaded very slow. It did this for a few additional boots afterwards, and has appeared to smooth itself out now, a week later. The OS now loads fine and works alright (from what I can see), but I still can not boot from disc or anything else.
If anyone at all knows a solution for this, it would be much appreciated. I wanted to suspect something like the disc drive going bad, but being that things like the target-disc mode aren't working either- I'm hesitant to believe its just the disc drive. Being that it also happened just as I upgraded to Leopard and faced issues, I have more of a hunch that its something to do with Leopard.
I apologize if this has been answered before, but I've looked all over the site, google, everywhere I could think of and came up with no answer.
Thanks ~Brian

Hi, I have been having the exact same problem with a late 2011 MBP 15 inch. I replaced the hard drive with a samsung SSD 1.5 years ago, along with a samsung SSD in the optical drive. It worked great until the Yosemite upgrade. The MBP seemed to work reasonably well for a few days after the upgrade, but then it started stalling on various programs (spinning beach ball on Mail, Safari, etc). Start-ups were also longer and had a loading bar each time, which was new since the upgrade. I left the MBP to sleep last night and when opening it, it crashed and tried to restart. On restart it loads to the login screen, then after I enter the password it partially loads (based on the loading bar), then shuts off. I removed the SSD and plugged it in with a USG, but that didn't change anything. Here is a picture after using CMD-V before it shuts off.

Can I Erase/Install In Target Disk Mode?

I need to reinstall my Mac OS on my 13" MacBook Pro (Early 2011) but I'm having some issues. This began after a restart and I got the grey Apple Hardware Test Screen. The tests ran, and my hardware "appears to be OK". I haven't been able to start successfully in any of the ways that I normally would.
When I try to start from my hard drive, I get the Apple Logo and a progress bar. The progress bar goes about a third of the way and then my machine turns itself off. Doesn't matter if I hold down the shift key to start in safe mode.
When I try to start from my Mac OS X Snow Leopard CD I get the Apple Logo screen then a black box stating "You need to restart your computer" etc.
When I boot the hard drive in Target Disk Mode, I'm told Disk Utilities can't repair my disk, and I'll have to format my Hard Drive. (Hardly a surprise given the above)
I have the original disks that came with my computer and Mac OS Snow Leopard. I was going to install the OS using the original disks then update to Mac OS Snow Leopard. This leads me to three questions:
Can I erase/install the OS while in Target Disk Mode by inserting the Mac OS CDs into my desktop then selecting my laptop as the disk to install on.
Because I can still access all of the contents of my hard drive in Target Disk Mode, should I just drag and drop everything into the external hard drive I just bought or is there some sort of disk image-y something or other I should be creating. If so, how do I create the Disk Image?
In all likely hood is my internal hard drive just dead?

Easy solution is this: Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery. Update your firmware if needed. Then:
Install OS X Using Internet Recovery
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
To answer the question about Target Disk Mode, the answer is if you can connect two Macs that both have Firewire ports, then you can treat your MBP to TDM so its drive will mount on the other Mac's Desktop. If you can boot the other drive from your Leopard disc, then you can do a clean install of Leopard on your MBP from the other computer.

Unable to Install via Firewire Target Disk Mode

I'm having problems with installing Leopard 10.5 via Target Disk Mode. The 2 Macs I am using are a eMac 1.0GHz with 1GB RAM Running OS X 10.4.11 and a PowerMac QuickSilver 933MHz 896MB RAM Running OS X Server 10.4.11.
The eMac's Combo Drive has gone south and won't read DVDs so I am putting the install DVD into the QuickSilver. If I start the QuickSilver in Target Mode I only see the QuickSilver's harddrive on the eMac and can't access the install DVD. If I put the eMac in Target Mode and boot up the QuickSilver using the Install DVD after I get through the language selection it says the QuickSilver isn't capable of installing it.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks

Then, you're out of luck if the QS can't run Leopard. My G4 does. You might look at
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20071214143723301
http://www.tidbits.com/webx?14@@.3cb6ddd5/5 and
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=371302
to see how you can work around it. Alternatively, use another machine or ext burner to boot the eMac with the DVD. With the QS in TDM, only the master disk is available.

Installing OSX WITHOUT disc in Target Disc Mode

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