Target disk mode os install

my girlfriends ibook's hd died so i replaced it today.
i fired up a 10.4 disk and checked the hd with disk utility and it seems fine then i tried installing 10.4 but it seems to be an upgrade dvd and it tells me i need to install 10.3 first. when i put the 10.3 disk in and power-up holding c the apple screen comes up then it goes a bit wonky as this guy also described: http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index.php/t-182319.html
seeing as the 10.4 disk loaded up fine i'm guessing the drive just doesnt like the 10.3 disk so i tried doing it in firewire disk mode from my macbook pro but the dang 10.3 disk wont run at all on it!!!
if i try the firewire method using my friends powerbook do you think i'll be able to install ok?
ta
t

Hi
It depends what "the 10.3 disk" is. You should use either the original OS X install disks that came with the iBook, or a retail copy of OS X which has a version later than that which came with the iBook.
Depending on the model of iBook, this version will differ - some were installed with 10.3.0, some 10.3.3 or 10.3.5, and the last model (1.33/1.42) came with 10.4.2. You will not be able to install a version earlier than this since it won't have support for your hardware. This will result in the corrupt Apple logo that the other thread describes.
For similar reasons, you won't be able to load a 10.3 disk into a Macbook Pro, whether you're attempting an install into the internal or a Firewire drive. As for the Powerbook, again, it depends on the model, and what the computer originally shipped with.
Matt

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Installing over Target Disk Mode using Grey (OEM-type) Discs

I have a set of Tiger grey install discs labeled for use with a Power Mac G5. I would like to use them to upgrade our eMac, but they obviously don't allow this. I have some family who own a G5, and was wondering if it would be possible to connect the eMac to their computer under Target Disk Mode, then install on the eMac by running the installation on the G5. Anyone have any experience trying something smilar?
I know some will probably say doing this would be a violation of the EULA, but I have looked through the license agreement that came with the discs and haven't seen anything that would prohibit such an installation. It is my understanding that starting with version 10.4.4 of OS X, Apple added a clause to the EULA stating that the grey install discs were only permitted for use with the computer they originally shipped with, but prior to this there were no such prohibitions (these discs are labelled as version 10.4.2).
Thanks for any help

Hi sjpetrick, and a warm welcome to the forums!
Physically that would work to install, BUT whether the iMac will Boot/Run thinking it's a G5 is questionable, and even if it does boot, It won't have some needed drivers for the eMac.

Is it possible to install OSX on another computer via Target disk mode?

Hey there...
a friend of mine has an older iBook. the drive on this iBook is broken (snapped off) so there's no way of using it.
is it possible to install OS Panther from another computer (use OS X panther install running on a MacBook, or G4) targeting the iBook via Target Disk mode?
thanks!
-

Hello Again SCHPiLKAS!
As roam posted, you cannot use the Intel MacBook install discs, on the PPC iBook.
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
If the iBook meets the Panther System Requirements, and the Additional Panther System Requirements, and you have a Full Retail Version, of the Panther Install CDs, you can use Firewire Target Disk Mode, to install the system.
The Panther discs should look, exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them.
ali b

Flashing Question Mark Folder after Clean Install in Target Disk Mode

I have an old iBook G4 with a failing optical drive and the need to reformat the hard drive and re-install OS 10.5.4. Since the optical drive is failing and unpredictable, I figured I'd do everything in target disk mode.
So I mounted the hard drive of the iBook to my Mac Pro via Firewire in target disk mode. I was able to successfully format the hard drive of the iBook, zeroing out all the data with 7 passes, and I was also able to successfully install OS 10.5.4 from my original Install DVD, again in target disk mode.
After the install was complete, I went through all the registration process and User Account setup and the iBook booted fine albeit still in target disk mode. So I shut down the Mac Pro, turned off the iBook and unplugged the Firewire cable. My Mac Pro booted up just fine afterward. But the iBook now gives me the flashing question mark/finder folder.
I know this means that the iBook is having trouble located a startup volume, or that the startup volume is corrupt or missing data. How can this be, though, after a reformat and clean install? Did I do something wrong in target disk mode? Or did I neglect to do something necessary?
Thanks for anyone's help on this.

Thanks, Niel.
I don't see APM as an option in Disk Utility when booting from my Mac Pro. I only have Mac OS Extended (Journaled), Mac OS Extended, Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled), Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive), MS-DOS (FAT) and ExFAT.
How do I get my Mac Pro to repartition the iBook properly in target disk mode?

How-To: Install Bundled Apps to another MacBook Pro using Target Disk Mode

Recently, I replaced the dead hard drive on my wife's computer. All the data was previously backed-up so all I needed to do was reinstall the original OS. Oops! Those disks disappeared over two years ago...perfect, right? No poblem, I already had the boxed install DVD for Snow Leopard and installed the core OS. But what about those bundled applications? Aha! That is the marketing coup Apple doesn't really talk much about. You see, you get the entire suite of Apple branded apps with the original install disks but not with a boxed OS install disk. It's just something that you have to find out for yourself...the hard way.
My requirement: restore all the iPhoto data to the reimaged machine running Snow Leopard. But that data has no application that can read it. Solution - Reinstall iPhoto from another source.
So I developed this workaround I hope the rest of you find amusingly simple, wildly helpful
Here's how I restored iPhoto on my wife's computer:
1) Get two Laptops side by side. In our case we both have macbook pro 2008 computers (Wife's and Mine)
2) Power both down and direct connect a firewire 400 cable (or 800 if you have it) between the two
3) Start the Wife's laptop in Target Disk Mode: Press "T" immediately after engagin the power button, hold it down until you see the "fanned" firewire symbol floating across a grey screen - it's quite large, about the size of your hand making a "stop" gesture
4) No start the Mine laptop by pressing the "option" key (two keys to the left of the space bar)
5) You will presented with a pair of hard disks to boot from, choose the Wife's laptop hard drive
5a) you'll notice now that the Mine laptop is booting the OS system files of the Wife's laptop (Her desktop, her preferences, etc...)
6) On the Mine laptop, insert the original Mac OS Install Disk (#1) that came with the Mine laptop (usually any OEM install disk will work, though)
7) Double-click on the DVD icon on the desktop when it mounts and look for a shortcut that reads, "Install Bundled Applications Only"...launch it
8) Now choose install bundled applications but make sure to press the "Customize" button in order to specifically choose which OEM software you want. In our case, just iPhoto
9) Follow the installer prompts all the through to completion and exit (you will be prompted to insert disk #2 along the way).
10) Remove the install disks, power down
11) Power down the Wife's laptop too
12) Disconnect the Firewire cables from both laptops
13) Power up the Wife's laptop normally
14) Launch the FInder and drill down to Applications. Look for iPhoto and launch it
15) iPhoto will either pickup the "iPhoto Library" that was previously restored after reimaging with Snow Leopard or you may be prompted to manually associate a library with iPhoto.
16) Once complete, you'll se all the restored pictures and data from when before the original hard drive crashed. Wife will be pleased and you'll look like a Genius
This is a really handy trick for troubleshooting a lot of install and restore related issues.
Hopefully you'll find other uses for it too.
Good Luck,
TheHighSierras

I think the problem is that you can't install an older OS X version onto a system running a newer OS X version. So I would try the following:
     1. have an external disk or create another partition on an internal drive to use for the Mountain Lion install (you might have to shrink an existing partition to make room for another)
     2. Create an external bootable USB thumb drive with the Mountain Lion OS on it (do a search on the web for this - for example see http://www.macworld.com/article/1167857/how_to_make_a_bootable_mountain_lion_ins tall_drive.html
     3. Reboot Yosemite and then boot from the USB thumb drive by holding down the option key
     4. run the mountain lion installer and install on the new disk/partition you created in step 1 - it will also create another recovery partition from this same part of the disk
Now your Mac system will have both a Mountain Lion install as well as the Yosemite install. You won't be able to use Migration Assistant to move things from Yosemite to Mountain Lion because it will see that you're "going backwards" and won't allow you to.
Have a good backup of everything before starting in case there are problems.
Good luck...

Can you install tiger on a power mac g4 with out a DVD drive if so how, I do have have a 2011 iMac can I use that in target disk mode with a FireWire cable any help would be appreciated

Can you install tiger on a power mac g4 with out a DVD drive if so how, I do have have a 2011 iMac can I use that in target disk mode with a FireWire cable any help would be appreciated

Hello,
You need to put the Tiger Install Disc in the 2011 iMac, boot the 2011 uMac into Target mode...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Boot the G4 holding the Option or alt key, hopefully the Install Disc in the 2011 iMac will show as a boot choice.
We just want to use the 2011 iMac as a big expensive FW Optical drive, it cannot be installed osing the 2011 iMac itself.

Can I install FROM a working iMac TO an iMac in Target Disk Mode?

Hi.
I have a distressed iMac - it's in Target Disk Mode (the Firewire logo is on its screen), and it's hooked up to another iMac. I can see and navigate to the distressed Mac's hard drive via the good one. Can I insert the SL install disk on the good mac and install it on the bad one? I've tried the other way...but the distressed iMac stalls out when booting the install disk visa-versa.
The distressed iMac's internal optical drive is dead, and for some reason it WILL NOT recognized an external firewire/usb optical drive.
Thanks.

Sure, the working mac should see the other one as a firewire connected hard drive, nothing more - so long as the working one is an intel, and the target drive is partitioned suitably; 10.6 ought to install no problem.

Need Help Installing Snow Leopard onto a blank HD via Target Disk Mode

Hey everyone.
Recently I had the HD on my Black Macbook crash due to a mechanical failure. I have just purchased a new Hard Drive for my Macbook. It is completely blank other than the fact that I connected it to my girlfriend's White Macbook earlier today to create 2 partitions. I have a new copy of Snow Leopard that I want to install on it and was hoping someone could guide me through the process.
What I have with me as of now is:
One Black Macbook (UK bought) w/ Partitioned Blank HD and a non-functional Superdrive
One White Macbook (US bought) running Tiger w/ working Superdrive that mounts the SL DVD
FireWire Cable
New Snow Leopard DVD
My first attempt at this failed. I connected the two Macs with the FW cable and started up the Black Macbook in Target Disk mode. Both my HD partitions showed up on the White Macbook. I inserted the SL DVD into the White Macbook and when it mounted I clicked on install. Of course, now it thinks that I want to install SL on the White Macbook whereas I want to install it on the Black Macbook.
I'm a college student without a working computer and with my finals coming up, I'm in deep trouble. I want to mention that my Black Macbook's Superdrive spits out _everything except for Movie DVDs and My Leopard Startup Disk._ It spins the SL DVD for a few seconds and spits it out as well. I'm wondering whether this might be an issue with the DVD region code on the SL DVD though I don't think that's it. My region code is currently set to Region 1 (US) where I purchased the Snow Leopard DVD off Amazon. I initially thought there was a problem with the DVD and CD lens in the drive and I bought a DVD/CD Lens Cleaner CD but I can't run it because the Superdrive spits that out too. I'm out of warranty on the Black Macbook so fixing the Superdrive is pretty much out of the question. I was under the impression that I would be able to install SL via Target Disk Mode without any hassles but boy was I ever so wrong.
Is there any way that I can do this? I'm hoping someone here can help me out. Please do if you find the time to.

By other computer, do you mean the White Macbook? So I should basically put the SL DVD in the White Macbook, restart with the C key held down? Is that right?
Please pardon me if I'm being stupid.

Firewire target disk mode install leopard

Does anyone know if it is possible to install Leo via dvd to another computer booted in target disk mode?
My work computer somehow lost some important OS files during an system update, and now I can't get past single user mode, nor can I seem to boot from CD (although I haven't tried in awhile, may not have had a bootable disk at the time). What I want to do is wipe the HDD, and install the OS.

Leopard OS Disks are universal (ppc and intel), so it was irrelevant to include that information.
No it wasn't. I see many posts where people are trying to use installer discs that come with another computer to install the OS on a second model. TDM is a popular way of trying that. Since you did not provide full information in your question as to which discs you had I could not rule this out.
You also don't say anything about the computer models, which would help in answering your questions. The question immediately comes to mind, why don't you just boot from the installer DVD?
Anyway, put the newer computer into TDM with the two connected, you should hopefully be able to see the DVD in the drive on the TDM computer and select it as a startup disk on the older computer. Another way is to hold down the option key while booting, but some computers don't have that capability.
Message was edited by: Limnos

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.

How do you install Tiger using target disk mode?

Hi guys,
I have an old Powerbook G4 that seems to have a dead DVD drive, so i am now trying to install Tiger using target disk mode from my Macbook Pro.
I successfully mounted the G4 using target disk mode and the Tiger install DVD but when I double click the install icon, I get an error message saying: "Mac OS X 10.4 cannot be installed on this machine"
Okay, fine but i want to install the OS on the G4. How do I go about selecting the G4 for installation?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Nichola,
Have you tried a search on the support site with the error messages you are receiving? (Maybe your computer doesn't meet the minimum requirements to run Tiger.)
To re-initialize your disk, go into disk utilities, select 'Erase' and follow the instructions. This will erase and format your disk. Hopefully this helps, but I'm not sure if it will solve your kernel panic problem - maybe that's a different issue all together??
Hopefully, you've already backed up your important data, but you should try to use target disk mode to do that if you are still unable to boot up the G4 using Tiger. Good luck - hope this is helpful.

Installing Leopard from a PowerPC mac to an Intel mac via Target Disk mode

I've just purchased Leopard, but thanks to the common and very annoying faulty MacBook Pro disk drive, I cannot even read the DVD, much less install from it. Before, the disk drive error never affected purchased DVDs, only the ability to read and burn to empty DVDs, but now, apparently, I can't even read Apples own disks.
As the new system disk is Universal, would it be possible to start the installer form the cd on my sister's PowerPC mac (12' Powerbook), and install the system on my MacBook Pro's harddrive, mounted as a firewire drive, or would the installer automatically choose the PowerPC version, since it is launched on a PowerPC computer?
And, if so, is there any way to tell the installer to install the Intel version of Leopard if I run it on a PowerPC computer?

well, looks like I'll have to install Leopard through the Firewire Target Disk mode as my MacBook can't read the DVD. I would appreciate if someone could review the steps below to let me know if I am on the right track. The MacBook is the computer on which I want to load 10.5 and the iMac G5 (PowerPC chip) is the computer on which I will insert the DVD.
- First question: Am I correct (see above) in saying that the MacBook is the Target computer?
- Insert DVD in Host computer
- Connect Target to Host using FW cable
- Turn on Target computer press and hold T to launch in target mode
- select DVD drive from disk options
- this is where I get fuzzy, would I simply click the Install icon? And then what? Will the MacBook know to reboot in Target Mode or do I have to hold down T again?
- anything else I am missing?
Thanks.

Installing in Firewire Target Disk mode

I know this is a kind of silly question, but is it advisable to install OS X on my iMac when it's booted into Firewire Target disk mode? I mean, would it get funky stuff in there that the iMac doesn't need if i install from, say, my PowerMac? I know it's quite possible to do this, as I used to do it when I had two identical iMacs. But those were, of course, identical, so the target machine had the same specs as the one that was installing.
Any thoughts?
Oh, and let me say a quick "hi" to all the regulars. I haven't really been on this baord too much the past year or so. Who's still around?

Hi, Trey.
I installed Tiger via Target Disk Mode, but my G3 has been having kernel panics in the couple weeks since the upgrade. On another post someone said that they'd heard that the Target Disc Mode can be a problem. So I'm checking the posts to find out more.
My G3 has a CD-R/W drive, so I didn't have an alternative, other than to buy an external drive, or to send Apple my commercial Tiger DVDs and pay them MORE to convert it to CDs. I just paid big bucks for the G5 a month before they came out with a cheaper upgraded version, which I am unhappy about. Of course those Tiger disks are for G5 ONLY, so I couldn't install to my G3 from them, so I coughed up the cash for the DVDs. I couldn't fathom giving them even more for a CD transfer.
Of course, if the G3 keeps crashing, and I hear from others that a direct install from CD may cure the problem, what choice will I have? As much as I've loved Apple over the years, there's starting to be a more corporate (and dare I say it, Gates-like) vibe from their method of doing business. Now the kid wants an iPod for Christmas, and I have to check those boards to see how they're performing. As helpful and fun as all this technology is, it is also quite stress-inducing...
Good luck with your upgrade! --kat
iMac G5 20" (ALS); 2G RAM | iMac G3 500MHz slot-load CD-R/W CRT; 1G RAM Mac OS X (10.4.3) Using Apple since IIe, and Macs since 1984
iMac G5 20" (ALS); 2G RAM | iMac G3 500MHz; slot-load CD-RW; 1G RAM Mac OS X (10.4.3) Using Apple since IIe, and Macs since 1984

Instal OS 10.4 trough target disk mode

Hello, this is my first question here.
I am trying to install os 10.4 on a computer with no DVD player using the target disk mode as described in de apple website. I have connected a computer with DVD player in target mode to the computer with only te cd player, but only the hard disk of the computer in target disk mode appears on the desktop, not the DVD
Is the any way to get this to appear?
Thanks

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Make sure you are using the Tiger retail disc which looks like this picture
It doesn't always work right, and if you have trouble, I strongly recommend getting an external DVD drive that can boot Mac OS X such as those sold by http://www.macsales.com/ or http://www.lacie.com/ or get the Tiger Media Exchange program that gives you CD version on http://www.apple.com/befr/macosx/mediaexchange/

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.

Target disk mode os install

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