Target disk mode with external hard drive?

Hi all,

I have a very annoying problem. I've just bought a new Mac Mini, previously I had an iBook G4 600 (about 6 years old). My Mac mini works perfectly, but...

1) I don't want to copy everything over from the iBook with Migration Assistant, I'd rather pick and choose what to copy. Is buying a firewire cable and using Target Disk mode the only quick way to do this?

2) I was intending to transfer files using my external HD. But the Mini doesn't recognise my poor old external drive. However, all my iTunes music is on the external HD. It seems by far the fastest way to get the music off (as long as I can't get the mini to recognise the HD)would be to boot the iBook in Target Disk mode then somehow be able to read from the external HD as well. Is this possible? If not, what on earth can I do??

Thanks in advance,
Suz

Message was edited by: Suz

iBook 600, new Mac Mini (intel), Mac OS X (10.5.7), Freecom Classic SL external HD

Posted on Jun 17, 2009 3:08 AM

33 replies

Suz Author

Level 1

67 points

Jun 19, 2009 2:29 PM in response to bphendri

And...after a mad dash around town trying to find the right cable before the shops shut (thank you, Maplin!)...

Duh, duh, duh...It works! A miracle! bphendri, you are my saviour! Or at least, I set it up with TDM in reverse, as you suggested, and it's currently copying off the hard drive onto the target-disked Mini. Hopefully all those files will appear when I start up the Mini properly again.

Thanks very much 😀

bphendri

Level 1

119 points

Jun 20, 2009 5:59 AM in response to Suz

Very happy to have been of service.

I can not believe I did not think of it sooner, but I have been so busy and stressed preparing for my fist Apple certification exam (10.5 Support Essentials.), that i just didn't even dawn on me..

I passed BTW. 94% 🙂 Now all's I have to do is get a job again..

Well that and start studying for 10.5 server essentials exam..

Enjoy your new Mac.

Suz Author

Level 1

67 points

Jun 21, 2009 11:20 AM in response to bphendri

Well done you! And just to confirm, it all works on my new Mini now. Thank God!

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Target disk mode with external hard drive?