Search Tips

 

Target Disk Mode, Mac OS:

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.

  1. Make sure the Target (TiBook) computer is turned-off.
    Important: Disconnect all other FireWire cables and devices.
  2. Turn on the Host (Desktop) computer.
  3. Plug in the 6-pin to 6-pin FireWire Cable into both the Host and Target computers.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Press the power button on the Target (TiBook) computer to turn it off.
  8. 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

  Computer Support Home PageBiochem Home PageUCSF Home PageSearchEmail UsFeedbackNewsSoftwareSettingsFAQsRequestsSupport