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Level 1

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New 2013 MBA target disk mode doesn't work. "special build" workaround?

I have a working hard drive from a damaged MBP.

I'm trying to target disk boot this drive on a brand new 2013 MBA. Despite both being the latest OSX this doesn't seem to work and as I understand it, it's because the new Airs have a "special build" of OSX with some add ons to support their new hardware. Is there some way to get that "special build" installed on my target drive so that it will boot? I don't understand why this build isn't available as a normal update. Isn't target disk booting a touted feature? Why intentionally break that functionality on the new air?

I can't use migration assistant because the target drive is a very full 750gb. Which is significantly over the capacity of the air SSD (obviously).

Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Sep 9, 2013 10:15 PM

28 replies

Kappy

Level 10

361,753 points

Sep 9, 2013 11:22 PM in response to Kappy

I'm getting nowhere here. The OP just gave you points for nothing really helpful. I think he likes you better, so you can help him out. I'm going to bed.

btfnk Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 9, 2013 11:24 PM in response to Kappy

I'm sorry Kappy, I guess I'm missing something as that sounded exactly what I'm talking about and referred to the latest available OSX?

Kappy

Level 10

361,753 points

Sep 9, 2013 11:24 PM in response to btfnk

That link has nothing to do with TDM. It merely states what is obvious from the start, and is what I already stated earlier:

Note that this will not work unless the version of OS X on that drive is the same as installed on the MBA.

I think you have confused OPTION booting with Target Disk Mode.

Sep 9, 2013 11:30 PM in response to Kappy

I was reading 10.8.4 (12E3067) wont boot (externally) onto the 2013 Air (Ive yet to try this myself!)

Of course, I have no idea what OSX is on his 750gig HD 😍

btfnk Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 9, 2013 11:27 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

The version on my 750 drive is the latest 10.8.4 version that it will update to via the online system update.

Is there a way for me to update it to something newer that will be compatible with the MBA?

btfnk Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 9, 2013 11:39 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy, well then how do I get the same OSX onto my 750 drive? It seems like it only exists on new MBAs? I've updated the 750gb as far as I can through system update on a MBP.

Sep 9, 2013 11:41 PM in response to btfnk

update it to what? 10.8.4 is the current glass cieling.

From what I gather the new 2013 Air Haswell infrastructure doesnt support the 10.8.4 conventional kernal OSX (though the Air contains 10.8.4), .......but it cannot boot from same.

.......unless one of the OSX kernal experts says Im utterly wrong because of ABC and XYZ

I just got smacked with the knowledge of something I myself have yet to attempt on my new 2013 Air 😐

btfnk Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 9, 2013 11:50 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

So then is that confirmation that there is no work around and I'm screwed because this previously supported method of booting is broken on the new MBA until a new OSX update containing the Haswell add ons is available to download?

Sep 10, 2013 12:01 AM in response to btfnk

I didnt 'confirm' that.

However from your indications of the intense application and processing power for your audio mixing, ...if you WERE able to boot from your 750gb, (especially sluggishly thru USB) the Air would have struggled to handle same.

Ive experienced intense audio and video editing thru a boot HD on a MBP a few times and it was far less than pleasant (worse still would be the case on the Air with less RAM and processing power)

As you yourself said earlier, alas...."I'd be better off just buying a new MBP"

Heavy application work is a near-losing proposition thru USB boot drive,... regardless of make or model

btfnk Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 10, 2013 11:09 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

It's quite possible that booting off an external drive (or even using an air for this work) would prove to be sluggish to the point of useless for my purposes.

However, I'd definitely like to at least try.

I'm using a powered FireWire 800 enclosure with a thunderbolt to FireWire adapter. I could see buying a thunderbolt enclosure if that provided better performance.

I'm still hoping for a solution that will let this drive boot through an Air.

Sep 10, 2013 1:59 PM in response to btfnk

Firewire is mostly cash down the toilet on a conventional HD. Your limited by your HD RPM, which since you extracted the HD from the MBP is 5400RPM

even at 7200rpm there is no impressive gain.

At this point youd STILL have to clone the current Air to another HD, and load the APPS and files onto same, a genuine unreasonable act.

Thats a "100 miles out of the way" from just loading the heavy APPS onto the Air and working on the files from the external HD (the files only, but not as bootable obviously).

pallang

Level 1

80 points

Sep 10, 2013 2:08 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

This is actually for btfnk. You stated that this is work for clients, so bite the bullet and buy/rent the equipment you need to finish the job. Number one rule: Never change horses in middle of stream. Translation: Find an identical MBP to the one that is damaged beyond repair and get back to work.

Sep 17, 2013 10:45 PM in response to btfnk

GOOD NEWS!!

⚠Now for the first time, the new macbook Air 2013 can boot from USB (it could not do so before). The specifics of the Haswell Air build did not allow same, as both the original poster any myself discovered!⚠

Oddly nobody else has tested this since the 10.8.5 update, so Ive been testing same for hours now with a Mac Mini clone as booted thru USB to the Macbook Air 2013 Haswell

specifics of the Haswell Air build not being able to be USB bootable are discussed here:

https://jamfnation.jamfsoftware.com/discussion.html?id=7589

ℹScreenshot below proving same, I have a 1TB MAC MINI HD clone fully booted and working on the 2013 Air! with OSX 10.8.5 , formerly not possible in 10.8.4 😉

New 2013 MBA target disk mode doesn't work. "special build" workaround?