How to use FireWire target disk mode
Summary
Learn what FireWire target disk mode (TDM) is and how to use it.
Description and requirements
FireWire target disk mode allows a Macintosh computer with a FireWire port (the target computer) to be used as an external hard disk connected to another computer (the host). Once a target computer is started up as a FireWire hard disk and is available to the host computer, you can copy files to or from that volume.
Important: The computer will not go into FireWire target disk mode if "Open Firmware Password" has been enabled.
Host computer requirements
Host computers must meet the following requirements:
- Built-in FireWire port, or a FireWire port on a PC card
- FireWire 2.3.3 or later
- Mac OS 8.6 or later
Target computers
The following models can be used as target computers:
- iMac (Slot Loading) with Firmware version 2.4 or later
- iMac (Summer 2000) and all models introduced after July 2000
- eMac (all models)
- Mac mini (all models)
- Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) with ATA drive
- Power Mac G4 Cube
- Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet) and all models introduced after July 2000
- Power Mac G5 (all models)
- iBook (FireWire) and all models introduced after September 2000
- MacBook (all models)
- PowerBook G3 (FireWire)
- PowerBook G4 (all models)
- MacBook Pro (all models)
FireWire software
You can download the latest Firmware and FireWire software from the Apple Support Downloads page (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/).
Products Affected
Mac OS
How to use FireWire target disk mode
Important: Unplug all other FireWire devices from both computers prior to using FireWire target disk mode. Do not plug in any FireWire devices until after you have disconnected the two computers from each other, or have stopped using target disk mode.
Tip: If you will be transferring FileVault-protected home directories (Mac OS X 10.3 or later only), log in as the FileVault-protected user and temporarily turn off FileVault. After transferring home directory contents to the target computer, enable FileVault protection again if desired.
To use FireWire target disk mode
- Make sure that the target computer is turned off. If you are using a PowerBook or iBook as the target computer, you should also plug in its AC power adapter.
- Use a FireWire cable (6-pin to 6-pin) to connect the target computer to a host computer. The host computer does not need to be turned off.
- Start up the target computer and immediately press and hold down the T key until the FireWire icon appears. The hard disk of the target computer should become available to the host computer and will likely appear on desktop. (If the target computer is running Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, you can also open System Preferences, choose Startup Disk, and click Target Disk Mode. Then restart the computer and it will start up in Target Disk Mode.)
- When you are finished copying files, drag the target computer's hard disk icon to the Trash or select Put Away from the File menu (Mac OS 9) or Eject from the File menu (Mac OS X).
- Press the target computer's power button to turn it off.
- Unplug the FireWire cable.
If the target computer's hard disk does not become available to the host computer, check the cable connections and restart the host computer.
Find out about "FireWire Ports and Specifications".
Tip: FireWire Target Disk Mode works on internal ATA drives only. Target Disk Mode only connects to the master ATA drive on the Ultra ATA bus. It will not connect to Slave ATA, ATAPI or SCSI drives.
Using Target Disk Mode with Intel-based Macs
If you attempt to mount an Intel-based Mac in Target Disk Mode on a Macintosh running Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier, you'll see an alert message. For more information, see article 303118, "Intel-based Macs: "You have inserted a disk containing no volumes that Mac OS X can read" alert message"
Additional Information
75420: Mac OS X 10.2: FireWire Target Disk Mode Requires Hot Plugging for Some Computers
75414: Macintosh: Computer Does Not Enter Into FireWire Target Disk Mode