PB will only start in target disc mode, please help

On normal start up, I get the "You need to restart your computer......" message with start symbol behind the writing. every time I try to restart the same thing happens. I've tried all the keys on start up tricks and the only ones that work are option/startup where I can choose Hard Drive, OS Disc, or Hardware tools. If I choose Hard Drive, it goes back to the kernal panic screen with "you need to .....". If I choose OS Disc, it goes to a light gray screen with the apple symbol in the middle and just stays there (also does this if I try to startup holding C with startup disc). If I choose Hardware Tools, it lets me test the hard drive and everything checks out fine but when I restart back to the "You need to restart.....". It will also startup in target disc mode hooked up to my iMac. All of my apps and files were there so I transfered everything, whew! I can then insert the startup disc into the PB and it comes up on my iMac in target disc mode. I then try to open and reinstall OS 10.4 but it tells me I have to restart to start the process and I can't do this in target disc mode. I just ant to be able to erase everything on my PB and reinstall OS 10.4 with the PB start discs. Is this possible? thanks....
J.R.

Seems to me you have made all the right conclusions yourself: your HDD checks out fine, you were able to retrieve all your other files in Target mode, so it must be some corrupt OS files.
You just need to startup from your 10.4 install CD#1. To do this, just put the cd ready in its slot, push the power button while pushing the C key at the same time, and gently push in the CD whenever the system is ready (hold the C key while doing this and for as long as needed to hear the PB starting up from CD). If this works, you'll be duly prompted for the rest of the install process.
Before restoring your backup, it may be a good idea to restart in target mode and recheck the hard drive in Disc Utility or preferably Techtool (run a surface analysis to make sure the disc has no bad blocks). If you find any bad blocks, discard the harddisc: it will have caused your OS to be corrupt, and is not to be trusted anymore.
Good luck!

Similar Messages

Can only start up in Safe Mode, please help!

Hi friends, I need your help!
I woke up this morning and my iMac G5 (w/ Leopard) was frozen. I restarted it manually, but it would freeze on a blue screen without loading the OS. It can start up fine in safe mode, but that's it! I've tried repairing permissions and zapping the PRAM - any other ideas?
What can I do in Safe Mode that might fix my comp? I haven't recently installed any applications, and I have all "open at login" items turned off.
Thanks for your help!
Ellis

Are you able to start with your install disc? If so, use Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.
You might also try running Preferential Treatment to see if you have corrupt preferences.
Please let us know how you get on,

Macbook Pro 15" will only boot up in Safe Mode - Please help!

My Macbook Pro will not boot up normally. It goes past the screen with the apple and the wheel and then just stays white. Also on the screen there are little rectangular blocks going across diagonally. In Safe Mode, it boots up but with little square blocks going across the screen. Can anyone help please?

Firstly, see this article: Mac OS X- What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? and this one: Gray screen appears during startup.
Secondly, try the following:
Delete caches to resolve some startup problems:
Boot into single-user mode. After startup is completed you will be in command line mode and should see a prompt with a cursor positioned after it. At the prompt enter the following then press RETURN after each commandline:
/sbin/fsck -fy
If you receive a message that says "***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****" then re-run the command until you receive a message that says "** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK." If you re-run the command more than seven times and do not get the OK message, then the drive cannot be repaired this way.
If you were successful then enter:
/sbin/mount -uw /
rm -rf /System/Library/Caches/*
rm -rf /Library/Caches/*
reboot
I suggest you print out the above to be sure you do not make any errors when entering the commands. When in single-user mode you have 'root' access, so it's important that you not make any mistakes.
Lastly, reinstall Snow Leopard if the above doesn't help. This will not erase the drive.

Logic 8 will only open with old XS Key-PLEASE HELP!!!

Hi all,
I have just installed logic studio (upgrade) on my new mac.
For some reason it needs my logic 6 xs key to start up every time.
I have used it on my other macbook pro with no problems at all!
I have tried the directions given here;
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1106
But it still doesn't work.
Any suggestions???
Is it a 10.5 issue??? It has always worked on my older macbook pro with 10.4!

So if you have followed that article completely and it still doesn't work you may have an issue with your file system. Delete your current System ID and then use Disk Utility (Located in /Applications/Utilities) to Repair Permissions on your system volume and also use the Verify Disk feature as well to determine whether the volume needs repairing. For info on how to repair an OS X volume see here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
Once permissions are repaired and or volume verified/repaired try serializing Logic again.
Also if you did not, be sure that the software gets installed using the installation discs and not dragged over from another system. Also here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2375 is instructions on reinstalling Logic Pro if the above steps do not resolve your issue. See bottom of article.
Cheers

Help, can't startup PB except by target disc mode

On normal start up, I get the "You need to restart your computer......" message with start symbol behind the writing. every time I try to restart the same thing happens. I've tried all the keys on start up tricks and the only ones that work are option/startup where I can choose Hard Drive, OS Disc, or Hardware tools. If I choose Hard Drive, it goes back to the kernal panic screen with "you need to .....". If I choose OS Disc, it goes to a light gray screen with the apple symbol in the middle and just stays there (also does this if I try to startup holding C with startup disc). If I choose Hardware Tools, it lets me test the hard drive and everything checks out fine but when I restart back to the "You need to restart.....". It will also startup in target disc mode hooked up to my iMac. All of my apps and files were there so I transfered everything, whew! I can then insert the startup disc into the PB and it comes up on my iMac in target disc mode. I then try to open and reinstall OS 10.4 but it tells me I have to restart to start the process and I can't do this in target disc mode. I just ant to be able to erase everything on my PB and reinstall OS 10.4 with the PB start discs. Is this possible? thanks....
J.R.

Kernel panics are usually caused by a hardware problem – frequently RAM, a USB device or a Firewire device. What external devices do you have connected? When trying to troubleshoot problems, disconnect all external devices except your monitor, keyboard and mouse. Do you experience the same problems?
Have you recently added RAM?
May be a solution on one of these links.
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ
Resolving Kernel Panics
Avoiding and eliminating Kernel panics
12-Step Program to Isolate Freezes and/or Kernel Panics
You should be able to erase your PB (in target disc mode) hard drive while it is connected to the iMac. Use Disc Utility on the iMac. You can even install Tiger on the PB while it is connected to the iMac via TDM.
 Cheers, Tom

Using target disc mode to access a broken laptop

I'm using a 1.33 15" PB with 10.3.9
and broken early 12" still on 10.2.8
During an attempted repair of the 12" DC in jack, also replacing the broken CD/DVD Drive with a SD using a replacement lower case and screen that still had the screen control? and dc in jack in it, broke the connection for the screen control on the 12" logic board, Thought I had it effectively soldered back on, but appears not. Screen won't light up, But appears to powering up, get the dong and hard drive spins up.
Was told to connect the two units together with firewire and use the Target disc mode to access the data on the broken machine. (which normally needs to be logged into on start up normally, but can't, not being able see the screen)
With the 12" powered up, I restarted the 15" holding the "T" key down and get a screen that has a Yellow "Y" like icon that moves around the screen, "O" with 3 extensions off it, 1 solid and other 2 dashes.
After a minute or so, shut it down, now sure if it was eventually going to work or should have waited longer. or done something else?, Was expecting the normal desktop to show up with some kind of icon for the other computer, then maybe figure out from there how to transfer the data to the new unit.
Have no idea what to do next or what the problem might be, if I'm doing something wrong, or have to change settings somewhere on the 15" before doing it?
This a used unit, with a fresh 10.3 install and upgraded to 10.3.9 Haven't even gone into the system preferences yet and don't know what most of it's for anyway, (Just did the initial set up) or if the 12" has hardware problems still, etc,
Have a USB external HD adapter and can take the HD out of the 12" instead and see If that'll work? But still not sure if I'm going to encounter something else again that's not easy to figure out in order to get the data off it. Transfer it to the 15" or be able to use it on the external drive
Thanks in advance, And hopefully simple instructions....

Thanks, That eventually worked, Oddly produced an open OS 9 Virtual PC 3 Application folder on the 15" desktop that I installed on the 12" long ago and never used before the external drive icon as I named it for the 12" showed up
Clicking on the external hard drive icon had it open the 15" system folder? Hard drive content window (the os 10.3.9 having a different format than what I'm used to seeing)
All the familiar folders from the 12" were there, but the couple times I tried to open one of them, the external hard drive icon and related entire open desktop window, (Hard drive content) disappeared and produced an error message to properly eject the item, But there nothing there to eject anymore, subsequent attempts to get it back failing, But eventually got it up again.
But can't open the 12" mail application to retrieve my old emails and can't seem to find the file to rebuild the 15" mailbox into what I had in my 12" or save/find those emails, but not sure where to look, must be files somewhere for them.
Every time I click on the mail app in the 12" file, it pops down into application bar and disappears. Tried dragging it into the 15"s icon and that not doing anything either. Also dragging it into the app tool bar and trying to open it and it doing nothing, Presume unable to in the later os.
Will this still happen if I take the HD out? and connect with my USB adapter? Need to boot from this? (have no idea how to do that)
Any suggestions on where to find my old mailbox files? Tried opening a number of odd files in the system folder and found nothing in some of them.
I'm presuming this isn't working because it's still an OS X 10.2.8 application But all the other files appear to still be there and think I found the mail before at one time.
Also got an error in iphoto, Can't open it because it needs to be opened in the later version. But found the 12" iphoto file and dragged it to the desktop and took a bit to transfer, so presume I should move it or specific files in it into the 15" iphoto 15" file to retreive the photo's. (and also moved my camera app to reinstall) Same with my itunes which only had a few cd's in it.
The 12" desktop also took a bit to find, but moved that file to the 15" desk top and those files took a little while to transfer. Some of those are MS Word files so also moved the MS Word app and expect to need to reinstall it before trying to open any of those word doc's.
Still wonder why it produced that os 9 as an open folder which was a virtual pc 3 program I never got around to using,

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

Target Disc Mode to copy library

Can someone explain how to use the Target Disc Mode to copy a iphoto library complete from one computer to another to another computer. I plan to use fire wire 8oo. The library is 30 GB (6000 pics) It would be Great if it were step by step, I still have the Training Wheels on! Thanks

Google is your friend
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode
Summary
Learn how to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode.
Products Affected
Desktop Computers, Mac OS, Portable Computers
FireWire target disk mode allows a Macintosh computer with a FireWire port (the target computer) to be used as an external hard disk connected to another computer (the host). Once a target computer is started up as a FireWire hard disk and is available to the host computer, you can copy files to or from that volume.
Host computer requirements
Host computers must meet these requirements:
Built-in FireWire port or a FireWire port on a PC card
FireWire 2.3.3 or later
Mac OS 8.6 or later
Target computers
These models can be used as target computers:
iMac (Slot Loading) with Firmware version 2.4 or later
iMac (Summer 2000) and all models introduced after July 2000
eMac (all models)
Mac mini (all models)
Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) with ATA drive
Power Mac G4 Cube
Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) and all models introduced after July 2000
Power Mac G5 (all models)
Mac Pro (all models)
iBook (FireWire) and all models introduced after September 2000
PowerBook G3 (FireWire)
PowerBook G4 (all models)
MacBook Pro (all models)
MacBook models introduced before October 2008
Read more about FireWire Ports and Specifications.Note: FireWire Target Disk Mode works on internal PATA or SATA drives only. Target Disk Mode only connects to the master PATA drive on the Ultra ATA bus. It will not connect to Slave ATA, ATAPI, or SCSI drives.Before attempting FireWire target disk mode, check these items:
Make sure your software and firmware are up to date.
Disconnect all other FireWire devices from both computers before you use FireWire target disk mode. Do not connect any FireWire devices until after you have disconnected the two computers from each other or have stopped using target disk mode.
If "Open Firmware Password" has been enabled the computer will not go into Target Disk mode. More information on Open Firmware Password is available in the "What to do if your Mac doesn't enter FireWire Target Disk Mode" section of this article.
If you will be transferring FileVault-protected home directories (Mac OS X v10.3 or later only), log in as the FileVault-protected user and temporarily turn off FileVault. After transferring home directory contents to the target computer, enable FileVault protection again if you like.
To use FireWire target disk mode
Make sure that the target computer is turned off.
If you are using an Apple portable computer such as a PowerBook or MacBook as the target computer, plug in its AC power adapter.
Use a FireWire cable to connect the target computer to a host computer. The host computer can be powered on.
Start up the target computer and immediately press and hold down the T key until the FireWire icon appears. The hard disk of the target computer should become available to the host computer and will likely appear on desktop. (If the target computer is running Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, you can also open System Preferences, choose Startup Disk, and click Target Disk Mode. Restart the computer and it will start up in Target Disk Mode.)
When you are finished copying files, locate the target computer's hard disk icon on the desktop of the host computer and drag it to the Trash or choose Eject (or Put Away) from the File menu.
Press the target computer's power button to turn it off.
Unplug the FireWire cable.
Tips for using target disk mode with Intel-based Mac computers
If you attempt to mount an Intel-based Mac in target disk mode on a Macintosh running Mac OS X v10.3.9 or earlier, you'll see an alert message. For more information, see Intel-based Macs: "You have inserted a disk containing no volumes that Mac OS X can read" alert message.If your Intel-based Mac is becoming unresponsive while in Target Disk Mode, refer to Intel-based Mac may become unresponsive in target disk mode.What to do if your Mac doesn't enter FireWire target disk modeIf your computer does not enter FireWire target disk mode when you hold down the T key at startup and instead starts up into Mac OS, try these steps:
Make sure the FireWire cable is good, and check the connection.
Make sure no other FireWire devices are connected.
Make sure you are starting up the computer while pressing and holding down the T key.
Check the keyboard connection. Make sure the keyboard is connected directly to the computer and not through a display or hub. Whenever possible use an Apple wired or wireless keyboard.
Make sure that Open Firmware Password has not been enabled on this computer. Depending your OS version you may need to download the Open Firmware Password software. For more information on Open Firmware passwords, review Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X.
LN

Installing tiger on an ibook w/o dvd, but using target disc mode?

so here is the problem. i bought tiger for my ibook (g3 500mhz 312 mb airport cd drive...) so i found out the hard way that i can not install tiger dvd on my ibook (it has a cd drive.) so i was thinking and booted it up in target disc mode on my g4 tower running 10.2.8 the hard drive came up on the g4 and i installed sucessfully tiger on to the ibook! i was really excited that it worked. (i really didn;t want to order the cd set from apple)
so i went to start and download updates and it didn't connect. so i went to configure the airport and had a ton of problems. it just won't! airport will not recgonize any networks, and i have done it all to configure it. the ibook sees the card too!
so i took the card out of the ibook and installe dit in tehg4 tower and bravo it works just fine, so the problem is not the card at all.
i then took the ibiik to firsttech (an apple store) and they booted it up in network mode and the card worked just fine! they think that because i installed tiger fro a computer that was not running an airport network that it did not install that part of the software. this i do not believe becaust all of the airport stuff is there to configure, the problem is it just won't.
so to make things more interesting the screen will freeze. and after that when i reboot the ibook the screen is dead. and it stays dead for a while so this is just a pain. i try to reboot it in target disc mode but the icon does not show up on the host computer. i can run system profiler and the g4 will see the ibook as a firewire device in target disc mode, but i just can't see it on the desktop. i can hear the hard drive running, and i get the chime so i know it is on.
so i know that the problem is probably tiger as i know that there have some problems with it. but i just don't get it. b4 i reinstall 10.2 can anyone give me any help fixing tiger?
THANKS!
SEAN
g4 tower Mac OS X (10.4.8) ibook! g3 too
g4 tower Mac OS X (10.4.8) ibook! g3 too

Hi sean,
first of all: WELCOME TO THE DISCUSSIONS!
You probably did the target-disk install the wrong way round. If you booted the G4 from the install DVD and from there installed Tiger to the G3 iBook you have installed the G4 hardware drivers which are not compatible with the iBook.
You have to do it this way:
Insert the install DVD into the G4. Start the G4 into target disk mode by holding down the t-key during boot. Connect the G4 to the iBook using a firewire cable. Now boot the iBook while holding down the option-key. This will bring you into the boot manager where you can select the install DVD as boot-volume.
Once the installer has started perform an Archive&Install to the iBook hard disk. This should solve your problem.
Remember: Repair permissions before and after an update!
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

Target Disc Mode doesn't Work - what do I do?

So my old Apple (2004 G4 Powerbook) went out on me. It will start it up but it won't advance past the start up screen. So I bought a new Apple. I have followed the instructions on how to transfer data from the old one to the new one using the Target Disc Mode, and the Migration Assistant. I can start my old one up in Target Disc Mode (the FireWire icon shows up on the screen). However, my new computer won't recognize it. In the migration mode, all it says is "searching for disc". It doesn't show up on my desktop either (my understanding that it should when in that mode). Any ideas of what I can do? I really want to be able to transfer that data over...Thanks in advance!

Hi and Welcome to Apple Discussions ...
Sounds like the drive in the PBookG4 has failed but I never say die. If by chance you use Airport and have a wireless network set up, you might be able to access the PBook drive with the new Mac. On the new Mac, make sure Airport is turned on. Open a Finder window, select Network in the Sidebar on the left and then click Network.
On the PBookG4. You say it starts up but not past the start up screen. Have you tried using the restore disk that came with the PBook and using Disk Utility to possibly repair the drive? If not, and you have the restore disk, post back and I'll give you the instructions to do this.
Carolyn
Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

Target Disc Mode via Firewire PC Card

I am unable to boot my PowerBook Ti in firewire disc mode as my firewire port died. Since i've been using a PC card with 3 firewire ports on it. When attempting to reboot in firewire disc mode with another mac it just restarts.
I surmise the issue lies in the boot order? Does the PC card load later than when an internal firewire port would become available?
Thanks!

Hello Nathan,
I believe the reason you can not use firewire disc mode is because you need to use the built-in firewire ports for target disc mode to work. The device information for the built-in firewire ports are loaded with Open Firmware as the computer starts up. I'm guessing that the PCMCIA card slot device information isn't loaded until after Open Firmware has loaded, thus making it unavailable for firewire target disc mode.
Hope this helps!
Hi O,
In my experience, the superdrives are reliable and i wouldn't worry about it breaking. That being said, all drives will die eventually, but the superdrives seem to be well built and usually last a long time. Replacing an optical drive on a 12" AL powerbook is actually quite a pain. You basically have to remove everything, including the logic board, to replace it. I wouldn't recommend replacing it yourself unless you have the proper experience and tools required.
Hope this helps!
Brian Cometa (ACHDS)
www.briancometa.com

Target Disc Mode + Disc Mounting issues

I hope this is a suitable forum for this topic.
Anyway, I recently posted a question concerning the connection of 2 Mac's (one disabled), in order to save the contents of the disabled MBP.
I have since obtained a 6 pin to 9 pin cable (to connect my MB's FireWire 400 to MBP's Firewire 800), and have tried to access the MBPs hdd via Firewire/Target Disc Mode.
I have no problems booting the MBP to Target D. Mode, but the disc will not mount on my Macbook.
The main problem that I have noticed is the S.M.A.R.T status on the MBP's internal drive is saying "not supported". From what I have read this is a common status message for 3rd-party installed harddrives, but my internal is the factory installed drive.
Im pretty sure I know the answer: The drive is dead, ie. get a new one. But I just thought I would ask the you guys if there is some way to "fix" the SMART status so that it will mount.
Also, (and this is what makes me 99.9% sure the drive is dead) when linking the 2 computers in Target Disc Mode, the Leopard Install disc that was in the optical drive of the MBP was read on my Macbook, so I know the Firewire cable/both ports are in working order.
Hope this makes sense, as I tend to ramble!
Thanks for any help or suggestions,
Matt

If the drive does not mount and is otherwise inaccessible then booting into Target Disk Mode isn't going to help you. A drive's SMART status is not reported over FireWire or USB. The SMART status is only reported for the internal drive, locally. SMART has nothing to do with whether the drive is working or not. It is merely an information report.
All that you can hope to accomplish might be to purchase recovery software, boot the computer from the recovery software DVD, and hope something is recoverable. Or you can send the drive to one of the many disk recovery businesses to see if anything can be recovered from the dead drive.
File Recovery Software
Data Rescue
File Salvage
TechTool Pro.
The first two have demos you can download. The demo will indicate what if anything is recoverable, but until you pay for the software and get a serial number you cannot recover anything. You would also need the bootable DVD. This will not work if the drive's motor is dead or if the drive's interface board is no longer functioning. Both of these render the drive inaccessible. In this case recovery would have to be through a data recovery service like Drive Savers.
Each of the preceding comes on bootable CD.
Message was edited by: Kappy

Spotlight and target disc mode

One of the schools I work at has an iMac that I've adopted. It's
relatively new and, therefore, snappier than my aging but much loved
Power Book. I have taken to starting the latter in target disc mode and
hitching it up to the former so the PB is effectively a HDD. This is
good becasue I don't want to leave my files on the iMac. Thing is,
every time I connect these two, Spotlight decides it needs to reindex
the target disc (ie the laptop). I've let it finish doing this several
times but the next day it insists on doing it all again. I know I can
exclude the laptop's drive by adding it to the iMac's privacy setting
in spotlight's prefs, but it is actually quite useful to have the thing
indexed so I can find those files I've forgotten the names of. Is there
a way to make the indexing stick? And will such a solution interfere
with the laptop's own spotlight performance when it is not a target disc?

I don't believe that there is a solution to your problem, everytime that the comp is plugged in the comp sees it differently so it reindexes it

Automate Firewire Target disc mode?

I'm thinking of getting a Mac Mini as a backup machine (both as a data back up and also in the sense that if the G5 blows up I'll have a machine to work on whilst it's repaired). In order for this to be effective, I want to automate backing up to the mac mini, say once a day. But I don't want to leave it on all the time, nor do i wish to connect a keyboard to the mini.
What I want is to have it set to boot up in Firewire Target Disc mode at a certain time, receive the backup data, and then shut down. The start up and shut down times I can set up easily enough, and the backup is easy to synchronise with those times, but I want a way to let the Mini boot in Target mode WITHOUT me having to hold down the T key (as there will be no keyboard).
Is this possible?

Hi, Nick. You can't put a Powerbook into Target Disk Mode by connecting to another computer while it's running and then using the Restart command. It has to be in a cold shutdown when you make the connection.
This article describes the whole procedure and tells which Mac models it can be used with.

Using thunderbolt to firewire adapter for target disc mode

I need to transfer several GB of data from a 2011 iMac running OS 10.6 to a new Mac Mini running OS 10.9. Can I connect the older iMac to the newer Mini with a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter and boot the iMac into Target Disc Mode and transfer the data to the new Mac Mini? I've used TDM with two Firewire machines, but not with a newer Thunderbolt to Firewire Machine using an adapter.
Thanks for any input.
--SL

Hi Salnews,
I've done quite a bit of research on this, as this is what I plan to do (only from a MBP on 10.9, but I don't think your situation would be any different) and everything I've read says the answer is yes.
EDIT: I see you're on 10.6.7. You should update to 10.6.8 first.

PB will only start in target disc mode, please help

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