HT1661: How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode

Learn about How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode
cherylfromvenice
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Target disc mode not working

My target disc (Macbook Pro) shows the firewire icon but nothing shows up on the host (PowerMac). I've tried several different ways and enabled it to show up in preferences. I don't have any other firewire device plugged in. I'm using a brand new cable. Thanks

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 22, 2012 2:13 PM

Close
cherylfromvenice

Q: Target disc mode not working

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by tjk,

    tjk tjk May 22, 2012 2:54 PM in response to cherylfromvenice
    Level 7 (24,244 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 22, 2012 2:54 PM in response to cherylfromvenice

    Hi c,

     

    The icon of the MBP's HD can show up anywhere on the PM's desktop. Have you closed all windows so there's nothing it might be "hiding" behind?

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul May 22, 2012 3:10 PM in response to cherylfromvenice
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    May 22, 2012 3:10 PM in response to cherylfromvenice

    Never tried it while my PowerBook and my MacBook were still in use, but I would hope that the older OS would understand the newer MacOS X Extended Journaled + GUID format of the MBP's drive. Besides looking all over the desktop (and making sure that external drives are set to be visible in the Finder preferences, as in Lion), have you tried running Disk Utility?

     

    The MBP's drive, in target mode, should appear in DU's list of devices and volumes.

  • by cherylfromvenice,

    cherylfromvenice cherylfromvenice May 22, 2012 5:05 PM in response to tjk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 22, 2012 5:05 PM in response to tjk

    Closed everything and it's not there. Also looked in the disc utility. The cord was a very inexpensive one I got on Amazon. Could that be it? Also, there is only about 4MB of storage left on the host hard drive, though that shouldn't keep the target drive from showing up. I'm running 10.4.11 on the host and Snow Leopard on the target. The target is so full it won't show me anything but Safari, not even the finder, but it is going into target mode every time no problem.

  • by tjk,

    tjk tjk May 22, 2012 6:44 PM in response to cherylfromvenice
    Level 7 (24,244 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 22, 2012 6:44 PM in response to cherylfromvenice

    cherylfromvenice wrote:

     

    The cord was a very inexpensive one I got on Amazon. Could that be it?

     

    It's certainly possible. Anything else you could try it on?

     

     

    Also, there is only about 4MB of storage left on the host hard drive, though that shouldn't keep the target drive from showing up.

     

    4MB??? I've never seen a situation like this, but I suspect it could indeed prevent the Target from showing up. The Host needs some overhead to make things work.

     

     

    I'm running 10.4.11 on the host and Snow Leopard on the target.

     

    I was going to suggest running Software Update on the Host, but with only 4MB of space, it couldn't install anything anyway.

     

     

    The target is so full it won't show me anything but Safari, not even the finder, but it is going into target mode every time no problem.

     

    Well, that kills my other idea. I was going to suggest switching Host and Target around.

     

    At this point, I'd suggest getting some external storage so you can offload at least 10-15GBs (ideally, you never want to go under 15% free space available). Then try again.

  • by cherylfromvenice,

    cherylfromvenice cherylfromvenice May 22, 2012 8:08 PM in response to tjk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 22, 2012 8:08 PM in response to tjk

    Thanks for your detailed response. I tried it with my husband's laptop as the host and still nothing. I'm suspecting it must be the cable.

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul May 22, 2012 8:39 PM in response to cherylfromvenice
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    May 22, 2012 8:39 PM in response to cherylfromvenice

    If no device corresponding to the MBP appeared in the hosting Mac's Disk Utility's list, it will concurr with the bad cable assessment. Cause the volume may not manage to mount, given the reduced resources available, but at least the device should show up.