How to Use FireWire Target Disk Mode to copy files between 2 computers.

Macintosh: How to Use FireWire Target Disk Mode
Article ID: 58583

TOPIC

This article explains what FireWire target disk mode (TDM) is and how to use it.

DISCUSSION

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.

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:
- PowerBook (FireWire)
- PowerBook G4
- iBook (FireWire)
- iBook SE (FireWire)
- iBook (Dual USB)
- 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)
- iMac (Slot Loading) with Firmware version 2.4 or later
- iMac (Summer 2000)
- iMac (Early 2001)
- iMac (Summer 2001)

FireWire software

You can download the latest Firmware and FireWire software from the Apple Software Updates Web site
http://www.apple.com/swupdates

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.

To use FireWire target disk mode

1. Make sure that the target computer is turned off. If you are using a PowerBook computer or
iBook computer as the target computer, you should also plug in its AC power adapter.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. Press the target computer's power button to turn it off.

6. 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.

Refer to document 58207: "FireWire Ports and Specifications" for additional information on FireWire.
http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n58207

Note: The parenthetical product descriptions (Summer 2000) and (Summer 2001) refer to the summer of the Northern Hemisphere.


Document Information
Product Area: Computers
Category: PowerBook
Sub Category: PowerBook G4; PowerBook (FireWire)
Keywords: kpbfw, kpmg4, kimacsl, kibook, khwreview

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583
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