|
Back
to Support | Mac OS 9
How
to Connect Two Macs using FireWire and Target Disk Mode
FireWire
Target Disk Mode allows two Macintosh computers to be connected to each
other using a 6-pin FireWire cable, resulting in one computer's desktop
showing both hard drives.
Host:
The computer that will be mounting the second hard drive is also called
the Host machine. In the following example, the Host machine is a desktop
PowerMac G4.
Target:
The computer that will be connecting to Host machine is called the Target
machine. In the following example, the Target machine is a Titanium PowerBook
G4, a.k.a. TiBook.
- Make sure the Target (TiBook) computer
is turned-off.
Important: Disconnect all other FireWire cables and devices.
- Turn on the Host (Desktop) computer.
- Plug in the 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire
Cable into both the Host and Target computers.
- While holding down the "t"
key on the Target's (TiBook's) keyboard, turn on the Target computer.
Continue to hold down the "t" key until you see a FireWire
icon floating on the screen
- The icon of the Target's (TiBook's)
hard drive will appear on the desktop of the Host (Desktop) machine.
At this point, you can transfer files or copy directories to and from
both drives, just as you would with any other disk, i.e. a Zip Disk.
- Once you've completed copying files,
drag the Target's (TiBook's) Hard Drive to the trash can to un-mount
the volume. Alternatively, you can click on the Target's (TiBook's)
Hard Drive once to select it, then using the Menubar, go to File/Put
Away.
- Press the power button on the Target
(TiBook) computer to turn it off.
- Unplug the 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire
Cable from both machines.
When you hold down the "t" key and turn on the
Target (TiBook), the screen will have a floating FireWire - similar to
below:

On the Host (desktop) machine you will see two drives mount
on the desktop, the second drive icon belongs to the Target (TiBook).

Back
to top
Host Requirements for a Macintosh Computers:
Built-in FireWire port, or a FireWire port on a
PC card
FireWire 2.3.3 or later
Mac OS 8.6 or later
Computer that can be a Target:
- The following models can be used as
target computers:
PowerBook (FireWire)
PowerBook G4
PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
iBook (FireWire)
iBook SE (FireWire)
iBook (Dual USB)
iBook (Late 2001)
iBook (14.1 LCD)
Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) with ATA drive
Power Mac G4 Cube
Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)
Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver 2002)
iMac (Slot Loading) with Firmware version 2.4 or later
iMac (Summer 2000)
iMac (Early 2001)
iMac (Summer 2001)
iMac (Flat Panel)
Back
to top
|