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    backing up macbook

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Damonkashu, Jul 9, 2009.

  1. Damonkashu

    Damonkashu Notebook Consultant

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    So my roommate's macbook's graphics card just broke (according to apple store), so we're trying to get it replaced.

    Before doing that, we want to back up her data.
    Since upon bootup, the LCD does not display anything for her macbook, we're trying to run in target disk mode.

    The apple store printed out instructions for us to do this via firewire cable, but we cannot locate he firewire cable at the moment.

    Can this be done by means of ethernet cable?

    Alternatively, we're thinking of using the video adapter to view her macbook's screen on an alternate monitor, not sure if this is possible or not due to the bad graphics card.
     
    Damonkashu, Jul 9, 2009
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  2. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can not view anything with a bad card and and external monitor, and I do not believe you can use an ethernet cable for target disk mode.
     
    crazycanuk, Jul 9, 2009
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  3. Damonkashu

    Damonkashu Notebook Consultant

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    We located a 4-pin to 6-pin firewire cable.

    Unfortunately, macbooks do not have 4-pin ports.
    My windows laptop does have a 4-pin port.
    If I boot up her macbook in target disk mode, should I be able to view her hard drive? It does not seem to be working, so I am guessing no...
     
    Damonkashu, Jul 9, 2009
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  4. Detail

    Detail Notebook Geek

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    Take out her hard drive and connect it to another computer through a sata to usb cable. You can buy them for under $20 at your local computer store.
     
    Detail, Jul 9, 2009
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  5. Underpantman

    Underpantman Notebook Virtuoso

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    ^^^
    yeap thats the fastest/best/easiest way to do it.
    +1 for that
    a
    :)
     
    Underpantman, Jul 9, 2009
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  6. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    cheaper to buy a firewire cable.... use target disk.. and not have to mes with all the screws and stuff
     
    doh123, Jul 9, 2009
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  7. Damonkashu

    Damonkashu Notebook Consultant

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    I've got an E-Sata port on my Clevo M860TU, could I purchase and use a SATA to SATA cable for the purposes of backing up?

    I'm not too sure about hard drive technology, do I need to power it if I remove it from her computer?

    Furthermore, will I be able to access the files from her hard drive or will the data be interpreted differently due to filesystem differences?
     
    Damonkashu, Jul 9, 2009
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  8. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    if you just plug it into a Mac directly, it can be read fine. Windows and Linux wont by default be able to read the HFS+ file system on the drive.

    if you have a SATA hook up kit for power and data.... you could take it out and hook it up, but not just a sata cable... the SATA cable does not supply any power.
     
    doh123, Jul 9, 2009
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  9. Damonkashu

    Damonkashu Notebook Consultant

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    We borrowed a firewire cable from a friend, now I'm trying to boot the bad macbook into target disk mode. How long do I need to hold down T? It seems to not be working...
     
    Damonkashu, Jul 9, 2009
    #9