Zero Erase time frame via target mode?

Hi,
I am currently doing a zero pass erase on my old iMac. It's video card died a death a while ago and I am intending on selling it for parts. It has a 750GB HD with about 500GB of data.
I have it connected up in firewire target mode to my new iMac and am doing it via that so that I can see what I am doing.
My question is, it has been running for about five hours now and it is forecast to take another 32 hours. Is this duration to be expected?

How are you doing this security erase? Are you following this procedure:
Extended Hard Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your 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.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
If it's still estimating such a long completion time then it must be caused by doing it in TDM via Firewire.

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Can I install to G4 iBook via Target mode from a MacBook Pro?

Can I install to G4 iBook via Target mode from a MacBook Pro? I have a non functioning iBook DVD Drive but want to do a clean install. Can I use the FW/Target mode to install? If not what can I do to install w/o the OD not working?

was this a std size disc or a funky shape / small cd of some type?
you will have to pull the machine apart, pull the slot drive, & take all the brackets / slot cover off the front of it (where you put the disc in). you can they try pushing down on the mechanical works (holding the drive as it sits in the ibook & face into the slot where you would put the disc in).
otherwise, you will have to take the drive itself apart, usually taking all the screws off around the outside & pulling the metal cover off will get you in to where you can force or pull the disc out.

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My iMac 10.6.7 freezes at startup
How large is your HD & how much space do you have left on it?
it spits out the discs that came with it...any ideas?
Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000 Mac doesn't start up from install disc
*** Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***
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Use Software Update or the OS 10.6.8 combo update to update your OS. Also, update everything SU has to offer for your computer. When done, repair permissions and restart your computer.

Transferring files via Target Mode

Hello,
I just got my Mac Pro and I'm trying to transfer some files and programs from my existing G4... I have heard about using the "Target Mode" to do this, but when I tried no luck. Here's what I attempted to do:
attmept #1. G4 is connected to my display. I booted the G4 holding down the "T" key. I see the firewire symbol on the screen, so I connected a firewire cable from the G4 to the Pro and turned on the Pro. Nothing happened. Should I have connected the display cable to the Pro too? I don't need 2 displays to do this action, right?
attempt #2. Mac Pro is connected to the display. I boot the Pro and follow instructions via "Migration Assistant". So I connected the firewire from the Pro to the G4 (while Pro is still running) and booted the G4 while holding down the "T" key and still nothing happens.
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Hi hscarr;
Transferring programs from a G4, which is PowerPC architecture, to a Mac Pro, which is Intel architecture, is a know method of creating problems.
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Backup w/ Time Machine via Target Disk Mode?

So here's my situation, my computer is stuck on the grey screen of death, but it mounts fine in Target Disk Mode. Its been about 2 weeks since my last Time Machine backup, so I would like to recover the last two weeks of files. If I can do that, then I'll just wipe the HD and start with a fresh install, however, since I can't get it to start up, is it possible to backup my computer to my Time Machine backup using Target Disk Mode through my wife's computer? Any help is appreciated.
(If not, then is it possible to run a time machine backup from single user mode?)
Here's basically what I'm talking about:
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That may work, but you'll get a whole new, full backup, identified as belonging to the MacBook (since that's where TM would run, and the MBP would look like an external HD.) Unless you exclude it, you'd also get the internal HD on the MacBook. So it will require a lot of space and time.
There's no way to fool it into making an incremental backup.
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Time machine backup via target disc mode?

My MBP is stuck at the grey screen on start up and the only way to access it is via target mode.
Is there a way to do a time machine back up through target mode or maybe a migration assist back up onto my external, through target mode.
So that once I have formatted my drive and reinstalled lion I can just restore from time machine or migration assit?
Any help or other solutions are greatly appreciated.

I would not attempt a Time Machine backup that way. Carbon Copy Cloner to an second external hard drive would be better. That way you can extract the exact elements that got corrupted.
If the target machine is not visible, you may need to follow these directions:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1689

Target mode question

Hi,
I have a G4 ibook that was damaged and the screen is busted. The computer powers up fine but I cannot see anything due to the cracked screen. I have a new macbook and wanted to know if there is a way i can hook up the two computers via target mode and erase all my important information off my g4 ibook so I can sell it for parts... can this be done or any other suggestions???? Thanks in advance

Connect the computers with a FireWire cable, start up the iBook with the T key held down, and use the Disk Utility in the /Applications/Utilities/ folder of the MacBook to securely erase it. This will not work with a MacBook Air.
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Target Mode causes new computer to freeze/hang up

Hello,
I recently purchased a IMac G5 (10.4.11) and am trying to transfer my items from a G4 (10.4.11) via target mode/migration assistant. I follow all the steps, the G4 goes into target mode and the target disc icon appears on the new computer. From here on out, at various times, my new computer freezes or I get the spinning beach ball of death. The farthest I got was to check which items I want to transfer but I never actually made it to see the items. Any clues??? There is sufficient space/and memory on both computers if that should make a difference.
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Then if it is OK, ask him to do the target disk mode for you. Let him troubleshoot it for you. While migration from PowerPC to Intel Macs may have trouble your G5 to G4 transfer as suggested should not cause a problem.
It may also need a new clock battery if the machine is older than 4 years. Any Mac that is older than 4 years may need it.
The repair issue which the program covers may affect the ability of Target Mode to work, and so may a clock battery issue do the same.
Message was edited by: a brody

Security issue: Firewire Target Mode

Hi everyone,
I am concerned about the firewire target mode. As handy as it can be, what about security? I have some very confidential files on my computer and I wonder if there is a way to make sure that nobody can access my files via target mode.
Is there a way to disable target mode? Or to set a password for the target mode?
And I have a back-up on an external firewire drive. Is it possible to password-protect an external drive?
Thanks for your help!
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FireWire Target Disk Mode falls under the category of "physical access," and there's an old computer saying that no matter what security you use, once an attacker has direct physical access to the hardware, all bets are off, because of the possibility of simply removing the hard drive and putting it in another case to gain access. Therefore, you should concentrate on avoiding theft or unauthorized access to your laptop, like never leaving it visible in an unattended car. You could also turn on FileVault.
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For the backup, count me as yet another person who keeps backups on encrypted disk images on the external hard drive. It's an extra step to mount it before the backup and dismount it afterwards, but not that much of an obstacle really, and it's pretty safe.

Can't get my AGP G4 into Target Mode

I have a new Intel MacMini I want to use for my home computer, so I tried get my old G4 to startup in Target mode (using lower case "t" at startup) to make file backup and account setup easier.
The G4 will not go into Target mode - I've tried both restarting and powerig-up, both with "t" pressed down from the beginning. Their are the usual power-up sounds, but the monitor screen remains blank - it doesn't progress to the floating-Y Firewire icon or the normal login screen.
I read somewhere about Open Firmware Password, but I don't seem to have that on this machine.
Some info about my G4 - is it a model that supports Target Mode?
Machine Name: Power Mac G4 (AGP graphics)
Machine Model: PowerMac3,1
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.8)
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CPU Speed: 450 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 1.25 GB
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SInce my need is to transfer my accounts from the old G4 to the new Mac Mini, I will drop the hunt for getting Target Mode working on the G4 and use Migration Assistant via Ethernet:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3322
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1752061
Doesn't seem to be an entirely trouble-free process:
http://www.ehmac.ca/mac-ipod-help-troubleshooting/73933-help-migration-assistant .html
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8300945231/m/999006696931
I will mark my question as "Answered".

Running a time machine back-up of a HD in target mode

Hi guys
Wondering if anyone can offer me some advice. My macbook pro won't start up and gets stuck in grey screen with apple logo. I have tried various troubleshooting tips as per apple support documents but cannot get it to start. Before I get to install and archive, and then maybe install and erase I wanted to update the time machine backups. I do try and keep on top of it regurlary and did a full time machine back-up end of August, however there are some things that were updated since then, which is why i want to run one now.
I can access the Macbook HD in target mode using my imac but am unsure how to proceed from here. Can I plug-in the external hard-drive which is used for time machine back ups into the imac and then run a full back up on the Macbook in target mode? If so, I'd be grateful if somebody could point me in the right direction of how to do this.
Thanks

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
OS X can only restore data to the drive where Time Machine backed up files from.
If you want to restore files from the Time Machine backup onto an external drive, your only option is to access to the Time Machine drive manually (open a Finder window and choose your Time Machine drive in the Finder sidebar), navigate through its folders and copy the files you want to the external drive

Back up in target mode on time capsule

This may be something that's been answered before, but here goes:
I have this macbook pro from work that has become unstable. It crashes constantly, but I can reach it in target mode using my own old macbook.
I've got a 2tb time capsule in service as wireless router.
There's a cat 6 network cable in the house.
What I want to do is make a backup of as much as possible onto the time capsule and then do a reinstall of snow leopard and lion on the macbook.
Depending on the outcome I want to restore as much as possible to the revived macbook or have my macbook replaced and do the same.
What would be the best way to do this? Is it just a question of 'plug in and follow the wizard' or is there more to it?
Thanks for taking the time.

koebeen wrote:
I have this macbook pro from work that has become unstable.
Do you know why? If the HD is failing, or the file system on it is compromised, you may not be able to do much with it.
If it's not a hardware problem, your best bet will be to try to fix it, rather than take the "nuclear" option first.
What I want to do is make a backup of as much as possible onto the time capsule
I take it you've not been backing the MBP up to the TC? Do you have any other backups of it? If so, what?
That can be done, but it's a bit tricky, and Time Machine may not be your best bet.
Since Target disk mode makes the MBP look like an external HD to your MacBook, you should be able to use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper (or the Restore tab of Disk Utility) to make a "bootable clone" of the "external HD" to an actual external HD.
(In theory, and depending on what version of OSX both Macs are running, you could use Migration Assistant to transfer 3rd-party apps, user accounts and data directly to the MacBook, but since there's some sort of trouble, you'd probably be safer trying to do a one-shot copy to a known good drive.)
then do a reinstall of snow leopard and lion on the macbook. Depending on the outcome I want to restore as much as possible to the revived macbook
Do you want the MacBook set up exactly like the old MBP? If so, and if the MBP was running Snow Leopard or earlier, start the MacBook up from the Snow Leoaprd disc, erase the MacBook's internal HD, install Snow Leopard, then use Setup Assistant when it starts up to transfer everything from the external (see Using Setup Assistant on Snow Leopard or Leopard for details).
Make sure everything's there and working right, and backed-up, before upgrading to Lion.
Once this is all done, you can use the Time Capsule for Time Machine backups, and the external HD for "secondary" backups with CCC or SD.
If you really want to use Time Machine, or if the MBP is running Lion, post back. That will be a bit more complicated. Incude the version of OSX each Mac is running, too.

Using target mode and g4 to restore my time machine on my imac? help

I have a imac 27" intel 10.6 that became stuck on grey screen, Tried everything.
problem dont have original cd install cd snow Leopard 10.6...
so I used target mode from a g4 10.4 mac and erased data on my imac
then went into the disk utility and draged the time machine drive (which was greyed out) into the section that says drive you wish to restore.
I could not run the scan disk image because the time machine drive was not avaliable.
so then i draged my new imac drive to the location to be restored part, hit restore and it says its copying
its been a day and a half and only copied 50g out of 280g
can i safley stop this?
is this even going to work?
Can disk utility restore my time machine back onto my reformatted hfs ext drive on my imac?
Imac 27", Mac OS X (10.6.4)

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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.

Help: Windows XP on MacBook Pro Boot Camp Partition via Target Disk Mode

Firstly, let me lay out my situation. I have an old MacBook Pro (2,2) with a broken disk drive. It was dropped in its youth and can no longer read from or write to CDs or DVDs of any kind. I have just recently bought a new MacBook Pro to replace it (6,2) and am currently trying to convert the old computer into an XP machine through Boot Camp. I'd like to be able to do so without having to buy an external disk drive.
After a clean install of OS X (10.6.3) onto the old machine, I successfully partition 85GB of space (although I previously attempted the same with a 32GB file system to no avail as well) for XP to be installed upon. Because I cannot boot my XP install disk directly from the broken disk drive, I then close Boot Camp Assistant and shut down the computer. I start it up in Target Disk Mode to be accessed from the new MacBook (6,2).
Once the old MacBook is connected, I insert my XP install disk into the new MacBook (6,2) and boot from the disk. After allowing the XP (Professional) boot to load the install files, I arrow-key down to my 85GB partition (FAT32, named standard as "BOOTCAMP") on the old MacBook (2,2)'s hard drive and select it as the partition I would like to install to. This is where I am directed to a new boot window that tells me in a series of paragraphs that the XP installer cannot reach the selected partition for what seems to be a number of reasons. What it seems to be trying to say to me is that it cannot do a remote install of XP on a Target Disk Mode-connected machine, while not "knowing" that I am trying to do so. It's a similar message to the one that Boot Camp Assistant shows when one tries to create a Boot Camp partition on a machine that is being accessed via Target Disk Mode (Apple puts it much more clearly than Microsoft).
I'd be perfectly content, albiet slightly vexed, to conclude here that it is not possible, shuttle over to the nearest Best Buy, and purchase an external disk drive if it weren't for one thing: I tried the same thing two weeks ago with Ubuntu 10.10 and it installed perfectly on the Boot Camp partition I had created then (I have since wiped all and installed OS X cleanly on the laptop).
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If the Ubuntu boot disk can access the partition, why can't the XP boot disk?
Is there some way to convince the boot system that the drive is local, rather than being accessed via Target Disk Mode?
Is there an easy solution that doesn't even require that, and will allow me to install to the disk over a firewire connection?
If anyone's knowledgeable and/or brave enough to tackle this one, I'll be eternally grateful. Heck, I'll be grateful if anyone even attempts to tackle it.
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Windows XP will only install from the optical drive. Target Disk Mode does not work with Windows volumes. Windows will not install from any external device.

Zero Erase time frame via target mode?

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