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September 10, 2007
Tech Help
How do I use target mode to fully restore my hard drive? In other words, how can I make the wiped hard drive of my new computer identical to the full hard drive of my current one?
September 10, 2007 | Permalink
Comments
Pray?
Posted by: G-d | Sep 10, 2007 3:31:23 PM
I don't know anything about target mode, but I would suppose that if you use wal-mart mode instead, it will cost you less and be of lower quality.
Posted by: Dilan Esper | Sep 10, 2007 3:37:30 PM
Carbon Copy Cloner : http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html is the software for the task, as you want to make an exact copy (clone) of your original drive.
Posted by: kb5zhh | Sep 10, 2007 3:41:45 PM
(i) Get a FireWire cable.
(ii) Install appropriate software on the old computer. I recommend SuperDuper ( http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html ). It's a one-trick pony that only does disk cloning but according to reviews I've read it's the only one that can be counted on to correctly transfer every last attribute of every last file, and I've had good luck with it.
(iii) Shutdown the new computer if necessary and restart it in target disk mode by holding down the T key at startup until you see the target disk mode icon bouncing around the screen (like a screen saver).
(iv) Connect the two computers.
(v) Program SuperDuper to copy the old to the new.
(vi) Eject the new computer from the desktop of the old, power it down (hold power key for five seconds), disconnect the cable, and restart normally.
Posted by: Mark Barton | Sep 10, 2007 3:44:15 PM
I would try using Apple's target disk mode instructions, combined with SuperDuper (free for its basic cloning functionality)
This should allow you to connect your new computer to the old one as a target disk, start up SuperDuper on the old computer and duplicate its contents to the new one.
The one hitch I can think of is that, if your new computer's hardware is significantly different from the old one's, you might want to do a fresh install rather than duplicate the old computer's OS and drivers.
In that case, you can still use target disk mode after installing the OS to copy over the contents of your user directory, thus duplicating all of your data and settings, at least.
Posted by: Adam | Sep 10, 2007 3:44:23 PM
Yeesh, you can't believe a thing you read on the Internets.
All three of the otherwise helpful sets of instructions above leave out an essential step, involving the blood of a freshly slaughtered farm animal.
Posted by: Swopa | Sep 10, 2007 3:55:16 PM
Migration assistant
Posted by: D | Sep 10, 2007 4:08:43 PM
I second the person who recommended Carbon Copy Cloner. Very simple to use and did the job without any errors, human or computer.
Posted by: justawriter | Sep 10, 2007 4:12:06 PM
Carbon Copy Cloner (free) is fine for a one-time, um, carbon copy. Super Duper is free to do the same thing, and more user-friendly, but its best feature (diff'd re-cloning) costs cash money. You can't simply copy and paste, because, as others have said, that doesn't preserve file attributes.
And the whole target-disk mounting process has been well explained.
Posted by: pseudonymous in nc | Sep 10, 2007 4:41:17 PM
Yeah, but CCC is the hard way to do this. A few simple steps:
- Boot the old computer into Target Disk Mode using these instructions as linked by Adam above.
- Connect the old computer (in Target Disk Mode) to the new computer via FireWire cable.
- On the new computer, launch /Applications/Utilities/Migration Assistant
- Choose what you want to copy and let it do the work.
- Enjoy a lovely beverage until it's done.
Migration Assistant knows how to copy over all your old applications and data without overwriting any newer OS-related applications or data on your new computer. CCC and other simple backup programs do not; you have to pick the files yourself. Migration Assistant is a better solution for the specific task of migrating from one computer to another.
Posted by: Matt | Sep 10, 2007 4:49:28 PM
Alchemy?
Posted by: joejoejoe | Sep 10, 2007 4:54:59 PM
Mark Barton said everything that needs to be said, but I do want to second that SuperDuper! will "correctly transfer every last attribute of every last file" bit.
There are some extremely arcane file settings in OS X that I've seen more than a few copy utilities ignore (or otherwise handle improperly), but SuperDuper! gets right.
And as has been stated, it's completely free for what seems to be your need - a transfer of your current stuff to a wiped hard drive.
Posted by: Scott Troyan | Sep 10, 2007 5:03:11 PM
If you actually do intend to do a full copy (not just use Migration assistant), make sure that the old system's fully updated. Unless the OS version is newer than that shipped with the new system, it likely won't be bootable.
Posted by: faux facsimile | Sep 10, 2007 5:06:43 PM
I miss the OS 9 days where a simple Finder copy would do the trick.
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The hints above will get you where you need to be, either Migration Assistant or the disk clone programs.
Personally, I'm a fan of doing it old skool by re-installing the system from scratch, re-installing your apps, and just transferring your user folder by a Finder copy via target mode. This has the advantage of clearing out any useless software crud you've accumulated. But there's no good rational reason for doing it this way other than the zen of computer maintenance.
And should all else fail, many people report excellent results by fully immersing their laptop in warm soapy water for 45 minutes, followed by drying the laptop in a microwave oven set on high for 5 - 8 minutes. Serve with a dry chianti.
Posted by: Petey | Sep 10, 2007 6:15:24 PM
"how can I make the wiped hard drive of my new computer identical to the full hard drive of my current one?"
For the sake of clarity, assuming Ezra actually wants to do what he's saying he wants to do, he does not want Migration Assistant. CCC or SuperDuper will accomplish what he is indicating he wants.
Posted by: Petey | Sep 10, 2007 6:47:52 PM
SuperDuper rocks. It will copy everything exactly as it was on the old drive.
Posted by: Bryan | Sep 10, 2007 7:02:47 PM
Petey, I agree that migration assistant does not do what Ezra says he wants. But he should think about whether it does what he really wants. Does he really want to over-write the brand new fresh OS X on the new computer? Or does he just want his email accounts and so on to be there when he boots up?
Posted by: Emma Anne | Sep 10, 2007 7:24:17 PM
Personally, I recommend Symantec's Ghost. It allows you to make an exact image of one PC and restore it to whatever location you like.
Posted by: Michael Tedesco | Sep 10, 2007 7:33:18 PM
SuperDuper!, for the reasons stated here. The free version is sufficient for this task.
Posted by: Matt | Sep 10, 2007 8:37:34 PM
I can help you with this. use my email to contact me. SuperDuper does rock. I lost nothing since I started using it.
Posted by: Sachem | Sep 10, 2007 8:51:48 PM
"Does he really want to over-write the brand new fresh OS X on the new computer?"
FWIW, he's stating he is dealing with a wiped clean drive in the target Mac.
"Petey, I agree that migration assistant does not do what Ezra says he wants. But he should think about whether it does what he really wants."
I actually agree with you here. Personally, I'd install a fresh copy of system software, run Software Update, and then migrate over my user folder and third party apps by hand or through Migration Assistant.
Posted by: Petey | Sep 10, 2007 8:54:04 PM
There is a program called Acronis Image that is similar to Norton Ghost. You can make an exact image of your hard drive on DVD (at up to 75% compression) and use those disks to transfer to the new computer.
Posted by: Jay Daverth | Sep 11, 2007 9:26:46 AM
Never underestimate the power of prayer. That and vodka.
Posted by: mass | Sep 11, 2007 10:06:20 AM
And should all else fail, many people report excellent results by fully immersing their laptop in warm soapy water for 45 minutes, followed by drying the laptop in a microwave oven set on high for 5 - 8 minutes. Serve with a dry chianti.
Yeah, but it blows up my microwave each time. Used chianti to put out fire. Don't forget to rinse out the soapy water.
Posted by: IntelVet | Sep 11, 2007 11:34:29 AM
if you know how, you can use the unix dd command. That makes bit by bit copies.
Posted by: blank | Sep 11, 2007 11:50:03 AM
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