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Level 1

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Running OSX 10.5.8 but cannot boot from Superduper copy on external HD

Running OSX 10.5.8

Followed Superduper instructions , first partitioning a new 1TB external using GUID and extended journaled format, then doing earase and copy all application of superduper.

But when i try to use the external to boot I get error message panic "unable to find drive for this platform\ACPI\...."

Updated all software.

Attempted Carbon Copy before Superduper and was unable to create a bootable external hard drive.

Please help. Thank you in advance~

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 24, 2013 11:58 AM

35 replies

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 25, 2013 10:05 AM in response to rlh0009

Yes, you can do that.

rlh0009 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 25, 2013 2:48 PM in response to Kappy

Here is what I did. I removed the hard drive from the Macbook and replaced it with the 1 TB external hard drive that we had been trying to clone/copy/back-up... I turned the Macbook on and was greeted by a grey folder with a question mark, then a few seconds later, the Macbook booted up. That is flat out strange. I could not boot from the HD when it was externally (USB) connected, but as soon as I placed it internally it worked perfectly. So, now I guess I will purchase an expensive 250 GB or less internal HD and clone it (even though it will not boot externally) and then swap out the hard drives one last time. Thank you for your help through this arduous process.

Question for you. Once I have a new hard drive cloned, and I then put the original hard drive back inside the Macbook how would I securely wipe the hard drive clean without disrupting the OS ?

Thank you for your patience and help.

rlh0009 Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 25, 2013 3:14 PM in response to rlh0009

Also, FYI. Repairing the permissions with the DU allowed me to boot from the install disk. Strange..

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 25, 2013 5:27 PM in response to rlh0009

Use the option to Securely Erase Free is as close as you can come. It securely erases all the space on the drive not occupied by an extant file. However, it does not erase your Home folder nor any other part of the drive that's in use.

steve626

Level 6

10,073 points

Jan 26, 2013 2:06 PM in response to rlh0009

There are some (not many, but some) models of external drives that come in enclosures that are not capable of booting Mac computers. The drive can boot the Mac when used as an internal drive, but certain enclosures have firmware that is not compatible with Mac OS booting. What was the model/make of the external drive? Make sure the one you purchase for cloning to is capable of booting the Mac.

If you look at the online Discussions for SuperDuper and Carbon Copy Cloner you will find lists of exernal hard drives that seem to not be capable of booting Macs.

Running OSX 10.5.8 but cannot boot from Superduper copy on external HD