I'm trying to boot a Mac G5 running OS X 10.4 into Target Disk Mode..

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Level 1

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I'm trying to boot a Mac G5 running OS X 10.4 into Target Disk Mode..

Machine works fine otherwise but will not go into TDM and I'm dreading having to transfer everything to a new MacPro manually! Anybody give me some pointers? Holding 'T' down on startup but machine always does a normal boot. Tried with and without new firewire cable attached, changed keyboards and mouse... and to prove the point I started up the old Quicksilver G4 in TDM (same OS) no problem. Can anybody tell me *** gives?

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), G5 Tower

Posted on Oct 25, 2012 11:27 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,219 points

Oct 25, 2012 11:34 PM in response to mikehenden

Hi Mike,

Is it possible you have Firmware password protection in Mac OS X ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

It would block usage of all the startup keys, like C, N, T, D, CMD+s, CMD+Option+p+r, CMD +v, Option, and Shift, as well as booting from anything but the Hard Drive.

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Answer 2

mikehenden Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 25, 2012 11:39 PM in response to BDAqua

Don't think I ever downloaded this firmware or enabled it. How would I be able to tell? Is there a control panel or anything that I can turn off if this has been enabled?

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,219 points

Oct 26, 2012 12:22 AM in response to mikehenden

What happens/shows if you hold alt at bootup?

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Answer 4

mikehenden Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 26, 2012 1:20 AM in response to BDAqua

That's the problem - Firmware Password Protection is enabled. Don't know how or when it happened or what the password is. Do you have any pointers to help me get past it?

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Answer 5

mikehenden Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 26, 2012 1:57 AM in response to mikehenden

Got it.

1. Shut down machine and unplug power supply

2. Fiddle with the RAM DIMMS. Specifically (carefully) remove a memory card and replace it. Be very careful that the static electricity from your person doesn't 'shock' the card. Wear an anti static strap or keep yourself grounded to the machine.

3. Once card replaced, restart machine holding down Opt+Control+P+R ('zap the PRam'). Hold keys down until you hear the Mac startup time three times. At this point the PRam has been wiped and you can relear keys. Password is wiped from memory.

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

239,219 points

Oct 26, 2012 10:02 AM in response to mikehenden

Great news, good work, thankls for the report back! 🙂

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