Use another Mac as superdrive

I have the problems with my Super Drive that a lot of you guys seem to have: not being able to load a DVD.
I wonder if it's possible to use another Mac as an external Super Drive connected with a Firewire cable. I have a MacBook here at home and maybe I could use that one with my MacBook Pro. I wan't to install a software I only have on a DVD.
Is it possible? Or is it a better solution to install software without a functioning Super Drive?
Regards
/Jonas

OF course it's possible, and it's the easiest way to do it!
How to:
1)Put ur macbook (the one with the working superdrive) in target mode, holding the "T" while booting
2)connect ur macbook pro to the macbook with the firewire, and u should have access to all devices connected, like superdrive, external hd, internal hd ecc ecc
3)insert the dvd with software to be installed in ur macbook superdrive
4) run the installation from ur macbook pro, the dvd should just appear on your desktop as it was in ur macbook pro superdrive
it has been a while since when i first did that!
i've a faulty SD too on my macbook pro 4,1! ouch!
Message was edited by: Merak

Similar Messages

  • Can I buy final pro using a Mac in one State and then install it in other State using another Mac?

    Can I buy final cut pro x , using  my mac and then install it in other State using another Mac?

    Yes, as long as both Macs meet the system requirements for it.
    (112783)

  • Can I use another Mac's system restore disc on my Mac?

    Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.
    Q. Can I use the grey coloured System Restore discs that shipped with Mac A to install OS X onto Mac B?
    A. In most cases, due to technical and licensing reasons, the answer is no. The answer is definitely no if any of the following apply:
    Any part of the software on the system restore disc is currently installed or in use on Mac A, or on any other computer1
    The OS on the disc is any version of Leopard (10.5.x), or is any version of Tiger later than 10.4.42
    Either of the two Macs has an Intel processor3
    The system restore discs from Mac A contain an older version of Mac OS X than the version of Mac OS X that was on the install discs that would have shipped with Mac B4
    However, an installation attempt may be successful, and compliant with all OS X licensing terms, if all of the following conditions are met:
    No part of the software on the system restore disc is currently installed or in use on Mac A, or on any other computer1
    The OS on the disc is Tiger 10.4.3 or earlier, or is an earlier version of OS X (10.3.x, 10.2.x, etc)2
    Both Mac A and Mac B have PowerPC processors (G3, G4, or G5)3
    The system restore discs from Mac A contain a newer version of Mac OS X than the version of Mac OS X that was on the install discs that would have shipped with Mac B4
    All terms of the Mac OS X Software License Agreement are followed, particularly sections 2 and 3 regarding permitted usage and transfer.
    Even if all the above conditions are met, software restore discs contain computer-specific releases of Mac OS X, and may not install or work properly on a Mac that has a hardware configuration that is significantly different than the original.
    Notes
    The license agreement for single user copies of all versions of OS X, including all versions that ship on system restore discs, do not permit any part of the software to be installed or used on more than one computer at the same time.
    The provision restricting the use of grey coloured system restore discs to the same Mac with which they shipped was introduced with the 10.4.4 Software License Agreement, and has been carried through to the 10.5 Leopard Software License Agreement. This restriction was not present in the Software License Agreement for earlier versions of Tiger, nor for earlier versions of Mac OS X.
    All Macs with Intel processors shipped with a Mac OS X EULA restricting usage of the software restore discs to that Mac only. The license that shipped with G3, G4, or G5 Macs that shipped with 10.4.3 or earlier permit the transfer of OS X to another Mac, provided that all terms of the license agreement are followed. Furthermore, the architecture of PowerPC and Intel systems are incompatible enough that neither platform's system restore discs will install on the other.
    Mac OS X system software will not properly run on, and may not even install on, any Mac that is newer than it, because the software lacks the hardware drivers to run properly on the newer hardware. Details are in this document: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2186
    Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.

    Gray Install Discs are Machine specific, so even if both were Intel iMacs they'd have to be the same Models.
    Leopard 10.5.x is another possible option besides Tiger/10.4.x.
    Tiger Requirements...
    To use Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, your Macintosh needs:
    * A PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor
    * Built-in FireWire
    * At least 256 MB of RAM (I recommend 1GB minimum)
    * DVD drive (DVD-ROM), Combo (CD-RW/DVD-ROM) or SuperDrive (DVD-R) for installation
    * At least 3 GB of free disk space; 4 GB if you install the XCode 2 Developer Tools (I recommend 20GB minimum)
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
    See Tom's, (Texas Mac Man), great info on where/how to find/get Tiger...
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=9755670&#9755670
    Or Ali Brown's great info on where/how to find/get Tiger...
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10381710#10381710
    Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
    minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 2GB at least)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
    You have to call Apple & likely ask for a Product Specialist to get it, if they still have it!

  • Black Screen - Get Chime - Can Boot off HDD using another Mac - iMac 24in.

    Hope someone can help me here, as I'm at my wits end.
    I've got two issues, one with my MacBook Pro 17in, 4GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm (2008) and another with my iMac 24in. 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200rpm (2009).
    Firstly the MBP, left work on Thursday last week, got home, powered up the MBP and got a black screen!!! Tried resetting PRAM, SMC, booting in safe mode, removing and re-installing RAM, removing battery and mains power and leaving off overnight etc etc, yet nothing happens. Benn all over the forums and have not found any solution to get my beloved MBP working on it's own. I can boot off the HDD using another MBP 15in, re-install Snow Leopard and as far as I can tell the HDD is fine, as I have run disk utility and it tells me the HDD is OK.
    I can't figure this out and it's doing my head in, as I use this laptop for business use and just can't afford to go out and buy another Mac. I should point out that this MBP never had any issues when running on Leopard, but ever since I upgraded to Snow Leopard, I have had nothing, but trouble. I did a clean install, in fact I have done it at least twice, even erasing the HDD securely, both at 7pass and 35pass, yet I have had permissions issues regularly and on the odd occasion, I have also had the problem of the HDD not being recognised.
    The iMac is nearly the same, but the screen is working, although the iMac doesn't see the HDD no matter what way I do, again, reset PRAM, SMC, safe boot etc etc. In truth the iMac has been a lot more unreliable, but with the screen working, if I can get any solutions here, then I'll be working to work on that without the need or hassle of working via another.
    I think that the MBP is only just still under warranty, but the iMac definitely is, but I need at least one working for business use, so really only want to let Apple have one at a time to look at/repair etc.
    Ideally, as the HDD is working in the MBP, if I could get a solution to the black screen issue, then I could do without the iMac for whatever time it takes, so if there is anyone out there that can help, I'd be so grateful.
    One last thing, when I bought the iMac 24in., I also bought an iMac 20in., but I never upgraded the 20in. to Snow Leopard and to this day, it has worked flawlessly, without a single issue ever.
    Perhaps, I'm getting paranoid here, but there seems to me to be a link between the ongoing and regularly occurring problems with both Macs ant the upgrade to Snow Leopard. Why also, or is it just pure unadulterated coincidence that both the MBP and the iMac 24in have failed at pretty much the same time??!!!!
    I'm going mental here, so I hope someone out there has a better fix, then me overdosing on Prozac!!
    PS
    I'm not a mac expert, not good with a soldering iron either, but I'm capable of following good instructions.

    Using Snow Leopard forum is probably your best bet.
    I don't care if someone has 20+ yrs, I still like having a good troubleshooting book/manual handy.
    Mac: can't get by without bootable backups, even if you use TimeMachine, clone your system. Save you all this fuss and work.
    Then invest in high quality disk repair and maintenance program.
    Disk Warrior / TechTool Pro 5 / Drive Genius 3 - top 3 probably
    There are always going to be normal items you just ignore with Repair Permissions. Useful to do once in a while but not magic. Same with SMC and the rest. Running disk repair is one of those things that it seems should be done before there is trouble, not after, and a weakness in HFS file system and disk directory.
    Apple Support is a good place to start looking and then hardware category.
    http://www.apple.com/support
    http://www.apple.com/support/imac /macbookpro etc
    Make sure all your software is current, don't install anything you are unsure of or can do without.
    Run Apple Hardware Test off your OEM DVD specific to the Mac.
    Now, have you Googled for this?
    have you looked at reports about 500GB drives used in some Macs that had issues and were offered firmware update for the drive?
    Considered just using another drive connected to iMac?
    You can overheat a hard drive with needlessly running 7 and 35-write pass, besides which the best way to map out bad blocks is not Disk Utility.
    http://www.bing.com/search?q=imacblackscreen
    http://www.bing.com/search?q=AppleiMac+firmwareupdate
    I'd direct your replies to iMac and MacBook Pro as well as to Using OS X Snow Leopard areas.

  • Is it possible to boot Bootcamp's Windows through another Mac's Superdrive?

    Hello
    I have a 2011 Imac with a broken Superdrive ( like many Imacs before this one since this known problem keeps being unadressed ), and I was wondering if I could connect my Imac to my Macbook Pro that has a working superdrive, through remote device to be able to boot my Windows CD through that Superdrive. I know I can connect the Macbook's Superdrive through wireless network to this Imac, I'm just not sure if I it stays connected when I start up my computer and use it to boot.
    Since my Imac doesn't let me use a USB bootable drive with Windows on it because it has an optical drive ( which I find extremely stupid ), and since my Imac's optical drive has the infamous malfunction of suddenly not being able to read DVD's, I am sadly left with apparentely no other option to install Windows 7 on my IMac.
    Thank you very much !

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities
    To install Windows through Boot Camp, you have to use your Mac's disc drive or a USB drive if your Mac didn't come with a disc drive. You have two options:
    1. Replace your Mac's disc drive, or;
    2. Get Windows as an ISO file and install it in a virtual machine through VMware Fusion, Parallels or VirtualBox.

  • How to back up one mac to an external using another mac

    I want to back up my old MacBook Pro onto an external hard drive. The old MacBook Pro is bad shape, hard to use in normal mode. The apple store genius told me I could use my new MacBook Air as a conduit for this back up. I purchased a FireWire cable with a Thunderbolt adapter for this purpose. I was attempting to use Migration Assistant to accomplish this back up, putting the old MacBook Pro in Target Disk mode, but from what I've read on these forums, mainly this article: Mac OS X v10.6: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac, it doesn't seem possible to back up onto an external given the options I am given in the process. So my question is (A) how do I back up one macbook in target disk mode onto an external using a second macbook as a conduit, and (B) is it possible to simply back up the old MacBook Pro while in Target Disk or Safe modes? Thanks so much for any help.

    I've not tried using Migration Assistant before so i'm not sure on that. But if you put the old Mac in Target Disk mode and connect the working Mac to that it should show as an external drive, then connect your external HDD to the working Mac, open both drives and simply copy the data over or use your favourite backup software to do it.

  • Content disappear  when use another  mac to charge iPod

    I am a new user of iPod, I loaded my ipod shuffle from a desktop Mac, then try to charge the iPod battery using a MacBook, then the content of all loaded songs disappear from iPod, I suspect it try to automatically sync with the songs in MacBook, but there is none in the MacBook.
    If so, how can I stop this from happen, if not, does it mean that I can not connect my iPod to another computer to charge t?

    As recommended, in Settings in iTunes, I UNchecked "Open Itunes when this iPod is connected" in both computers and click "Apply". but then when I connected it to MBP, the indicator amber light is blinking constantly, and I have to open the iTune, and then the light turns green, but the content was wiped out, the option for :"Open itunes when this iPod is connected" is indeed unchecked. so I am back to square one.
    so I have to use decktop mac to load the music again. by the way, the reason I need to use MBP to charge the battry, is that the iPod when connected to desktop Mac has constant blinking amber light unless I plug it to MBP first, but then the content disappear.

  • Problem start when I use another mac!!

    As my mac has down.....I have moved my hard disk to another mac for working.
    But when I use the new mac.....the Adobe has notice for me!!
    How to solve this problem??
    Anyone can help me??

    You should uninstall and reinstall the software. 

  • Hello Community...Macbook w 10.6.8 and I need printing help. Using three canon photo printers of same model and need them to print individually. They are older and NOT network-able. Currently using another Mac to print to 2nd printer. 3 is idle.

    Is there software available where all I have to do is hit print and any of the 4x6 printers will print? Once I get this issue settled, I'll get a second larger format. I have to get this rectified because of time and ease. As mentioned, I have a second mac that I share screens with so my assistant can find pics for customers while I'm shooting. So, I can print through that mac to the printer. (ie....print to canon@##%#@Mac 2) I don't want to bring a third computer just to print to three of the same model printer. (That's what I've been doing) BTW....I totally know there are faster dye-sub printers out there but I'm about 4 more events from purchasing one...($$$) Some print under 10 seconds. I would appreciate any answers out there. Thank you.

    I don't have that printer and I'm not on Mac, so someone else has to step in there. Generally a green/magenta cast indicates none/double printer color management. But then I don't know what you mean by "slight".
    The Spyders aren't the most consistent and reliable calibrators out there. I had a Spyder 3 sensor that I just threw away because it gave a distinct red cast (I have several other calibrators, so there was no doubt). Another potential problem is that with most calibrators you can only adjust the white point along the blue/yellow Kelvin scale, but not on the green/magenta scale. This is often necessary to get a good white point color. In this case you need to use the monitor's OSD controls, and if possible the "pre-calibration" function in the calibrator to measure and monitor it - if that function exists. And I don't know if this is possible with an iMac.
    This is basically a question of getting the white point right, both on the blue/yellow and the green/magenta axis (and luminance of course). The goal is to get a visual match to paper white on screen. With the white point properly set, neutral color balance relates to that, and the rest more or less follows by itself. (In addition you should set the proper black point/contrast for full control, but that's not the issue here).

  • Can i use another mac as a time machine backup?

    HI,
    I was just wondering if i can connect two macs via ethernet or firewire and use of of them to do a time machine backup of the other mac.

    The two machines are connected by Ethernet via an 100BaseT hub and are on a local network. The server has a static IP address and my primary machine uses DHCP. I don't know if this would work for IP over FireWire.
    Truthfully if I were you I would just go ahead and spring for a good FireWire 800 hard drive (and cable of course) to use for your back-ups. I have the server because I use it for a lot of other things - it is available for Time Machine backups for our whole group of computers and I serve a small web site from it for internal use.

  • Running Win7 on my Macbook Air Smoothly...but how do I load a program using another Mac's dvd drive?

    Hi,
    Any ideas on how to get dvd sharing running between two macs when your goal is to get the program loaded onto a macbook air running win7? I can't find an equivalent to the mac-mac disc sharing that I have on the OSX partition.
    Thanks,
    Hanz

    i wish that was the answer....it only works if you are running OSX and targeting another OSX drive, or running OSX targeting a PC drive. 
    My macbook air is running win7, so I am interested in running Win7 and targeting an OSX drive. Unfortunately, remote disc does not run on windows.
    Does anyone have a solution to this problem?
    Thanks
    HB

  • How to look at a Mac hard drive using another Mac

    The motherboard in my G5 iMac recently bit the dust, so I removed the hard drive and installed it in my external inclosure. When I access the old hard drive from a newer Mac to retrieve the information I didn't have backed up, it sends me to the file on the "new" Mac, {If I try to go to "Documents" on the old hard drive, it takes me to "Documents" on the new Mac} If I click on the External "Mac HD" in Finder, then select "Applications" - it deselects the External "Mac HD" & shows the "Applications" folder on the external hard drive {I have some apps on the old one that aren't on the new one} but when I click on iPhoto, it takes me to iPhoto on the new Mac - How do I access the files on the old hard drive?

    If you have an external hard drive connected to your Mac, it should show up in the sidebar of your Finder window, just like a mounted server on a network. So if you select that external drive, it should show you the contents of the drive, including all folders and files that aren't normally invisible. From that starting point, you should be able to navigate to whatever folder or file you want on the external drive.
    Don't be fooled into thinking you can click on the folders or files listed in the normal Finder window and expect them to take you where you want to go, or do what you want to do.

  • Do I have to start-up using another Mac?

    Just got an iPad via the college I teach for; my iMac at home has an older version of iTunes that the iPad won't accept.
    I think my PC at work has a more updated version, but all my "good stuff" is on the Mac's iTunes.
    Can I transfer my "good stuff" from the Mac to the PC at work & then connect the iPad to the work PC to retrieve all my crap?
    Ideas?
    (p.s. I have Tiger - OS 14.11 - on the iMac which is why I can't upgrade my iTunes to 10 yet - still at iTunes 9.
    Any tips on upgrading Tiger, etc. without breaking the bank?)
    THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

    Installing Snow Leopard isn't required, but having Leopard installed is required - 10.5.8 or later to be exact. And unless the OP has an Intel Mac, Snow Leopard cannot be installed.
    And what productive contribution can come from listing all Apple software that is compatible with Tiger but not with Leopard or Snow Leopard, plenty, especially when you say "all those applications compatible with that system (Tiger) will no longer open" or work. If you mean a particular app version such as iTunes 9.2, sure, but that is a not a factor in this regard since that iTunes version is not supported with the iPad - 10.2 or later is recommended. And what does iTunes 9.2 provide that iTunes 10.2 or later does not? I venture to say the other iLife app versions that shipped with Tiger are compatible with Leopard and Snow Leopard, and the same for the iWorks version running on Tiger if available. Since your statement indicates there is some long list of Apple software or software versions that runs under Tiger but not under Leopard or Snow Leopard, I think it would be very productive to provide the OP and anyone else that reads this thread who is in the same situation the list of all the Apple software or software versions that run under Tiger but not under Leopard or Snow Leopard.
    And the ability to reinstall a previous OS X version a Mac was running after upgrading to a newer OS X version IS NOT a simply a matter of opinion. There are steps provided here for those who upgraded to Lion from Snow Leopard to reinstall Snow Leopard. There is nothing included with an OS X update that prevents a previous OS X version from being reinstalled. It will involve an erase an install, but saying this is impossible is flat out wrong.   

  • Using another Mac with my Touch 2G

    Last week I got very upset as my Powerbook finally gave up the ghost with the hard drive packing up. Its overdue I suppose, its been constantly used for the last 6 years. I brought a touch 2G a few months back, and have obviously loaded my itunes library onto it along with purchasing games such as Crash Bandicoot. What I'm concerned about i that if I connect the Touch to my brothers iMac will it reset my iPod, as I was informed when I plugged my old nano into my Powerbook many years ago. I don't want to loose my current music and I dont want to loose my current application purchases etc. Is there any way of connecting my iPod to the iMac without this occurring? Whilst adding any new songs that I may purchase.

    You don't want to use your brother's computer unless you plan on continuing to do so.
    Once you get your new computer look through http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/copying-music-from-ipod-to-co mputer/ for information on recovering your files

  • OS X Mavericks: Use another Mac as a display

    Try to setup the old iMac as external display for my new MacBook Pro. Manage to buy Thunderbolt to thunderbolt from Apple. After follow the instruction provided by Apple, I somehow can not get it work.  By pressing Command-F2 at target monitor (my iMac), there is nothing happened at all. What's wrong with that?. My OS is Maverick on both and my iMac is late 2009 while Macbook Pro is 2013.
    Please advise. Thanks!.

    Well which size iMac do you have? If it is a 21" then TDM is not an option with that size. It states so in the Apple article I posted.
    What are the requirements for TDM?
    A Mac notebook or desktop with a Mini DisplayPort or ThunderBolt connection
    A ThunderBolt or Mini DisplayPort cable 
    A supported iMac with OS X 10.6.1 or later. The table below shows iMac computers that support TDM, the required cables, and the port of the computer to which you are connecting the iMac.
    iMac Model
    Cable Supported
    Port on Source Computer
    iMac (27-inch Late 2009)
    Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort
    Mini DisplayPort or Thunderbolt
    Do you have a 2009 27" iMac or not?

Maybe you are looking for