User profile for user: Ayjona
Ayjona Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

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?

MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz Intel Duo Core, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 2 GB of RAM, X1600 256mb, 120 GB 5400 RPM harddrive,

Posted on Oct 29, 2007 9:34 AM

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17 replies
User profile for user: Michel Corbin
Michel Corbin
User level: Level 1
34 points

Nov 2, 2007 10:47 AM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

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.
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User profile for user: Michel Corbin
Michel Corbin
User level: Level 1
34 points

Nov 2, 2007 12:37 PM in response to a brody

I don't know about Hedi's case, but in mine, the drive is not broken. This is a fairly well documented issue with MBs, MBPs and some iMacs not being able to read a perfectly fine Leopard install disk. Several people have reported that using a different disk did not make a difference. My DVD drive works fine for all other disks, just not for this one. The Target Disk mode has been suggested as a way to load Leopard on the computer. Some people have been succesful by burning a copy of the install disk, but for that you need a drive that can burn dual layer.
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User profile for user: eschw95458
eschw95458
User level: Level 2
235 points

Nov 2, 2007 1:05 PM in response to Hedi ®

Put the disk in the mbp, restart the mbp and right after the startup chime press and hold t. wait until the target screen comes up. I am assuming at this point that both machines are running, MBP in target mode and g5 in ? 10.4. Connect firewire from g5 to MBP open finder On g5 find the os x install disk open it and click on install Os X.
G5 should now restart and take you to the installer.
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Installing Leopard from a PowerPC mac to an Intel mac via Target Disk mode

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