connect macbook pro 17" firewire to macbook pro retina thunderbolt
I need to backup my crashed macbook retina (tunderebolt) - how can I connect to boot from my macbook pro 17" (firewire)
MacBook Pro with Retina display
You can use Firewire to take data off of one MBP, but not to boot it:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1661
What you might try is taking out the HDD from the 17" MBP and connection it to the rMBP via USB (in an enclosure). Use Startup Manager:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1310
In order for this to work, the OSX in the HDD must be the same or newer than what the rMBP came with.
Ciao.