Using Target Disk Mode

[HMcK]

Currently I am working to back up all my files since my computer needs to be worked on, so I have hooked my macbook pro up to another macbook pro using the Target Disk Mode and firewire. I am transferring the files from the first mac through the second and onto an external drive, however I find that it is not copying all of the files over and tells me "The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access "file name here"."
I assume I need to somehow give the second mac access to the first with the username and password? Does anyone know if that is the problem and how to do this? Help would be much appreciated, it's been a stressful past few days not being able to use my computer.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to make a 1:1 copy of your HDD to another HDD, but if you use the MBP 2's HDD as target, it will not work, as it will overwrite your already existing system on MBP 2. You need another external HDD to do so.
It should use HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) as format and GUID as partition map scheme.

How to format a new HDD to install Mac OS X onto (or make a bootable copy onto)​

Or if you only want to save your user folder, and the name of the user folder on MBP 1 differs from the one on MBP 2, you could just select to clone the user folder from MBP 1 to MBP 2, thus you have access to the MBP 1 user on MBP 2 and can even log into it.

I guess you don't have any kind of backup of MBP 1?

 

[HMcK]

Thanks, but that didn't really answer my question? I already know how to transfer things over without needing an extra application, I simply cannot figure out how to get it to allow me to copy everything over.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Thanks, but that didn't really answer my question? I already know how to transfer things over without needing an extra application, I simply cannot figure out how to get it to allow me to copy everything over.

CarbonCopyCloner and SuperDuper! will allow you to do just that, as it retains permissions (which is your current problem of not being able to copy everything) and will not bother you like Finder does.

Just out of curiosity, with "everything" do you mean EVERYTHING, the complete contents of the Macintosh HD? If so, where do you copy to?

 

[HMcK]

Ah I see... is there not a way to make finder let you though? It seems like there would have to be.
Well I was trying to copy literally everything as I went to the store and they showed me that I should be able to do so.
Problem is I am overseas right now for a few months so they only have licensed Apple seller stores and not the real Apple store. I'm sure things would be a lot easier if I could just go in and talk to them about what is wrong.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Ah I see... is there not a way to make finder let you though? It seems like there would have to be.
Well I was trying to copy literally everything as I went to the store and they showed me that I should be able to do so.
Problem is I am overseas right now for a few months so they only have licensed Apple seller stores and not the real Apple store. I'm sure things would be a lot easier if I could just go in and talk to them about what is wrong.

As you are still not clear, what you want to copy and where to, they might be able to help you more, I hope.
But if you want to do it yourself and have an extra HDD, properly formatted and with enough free space, you can use those applications yourself.
I use CCC daily to make backups of my internal SSD and external HDDs and it didn't give me grief yet, as Finder would, due to permissions. If you want to copy Macintosh HD / System or Macintosh HD / Library and some other root folders, Finder is NOT the best way, due to permissions.

But it is your computer.

 

[HMcK]

As you are still not clear, what you want to copy and where to, they might be able to help you more, I hope.
But if you want to do it yourself and have an extra HDD, properly formatted and with enough free space, you can use those applications yourself.
I use CCC daily to make backups of my internal SSD and external HDDs and it didn't give me grief yet, as Finder would, due to permissions. If you want to copy Macintosh HD / System or Macintosh HD / Library and some other root folders, Finder is NOT the best way, due to permissions.

But it is your computer.

I am trying to copy literally everything off of my Macbook Pro's hard drive onto an external hard drive. They want to charge me 80euros to do this for me, but said if I wanted I could do it for free using the firewire cable and the external hard drive I have and gave me instructions on how to do so.

I would like to find a way to get around the Finder permissions if possible, I know there has to be a way, because I do not have the money to spare for another program since I have no idea how much the repairs for my macbook pro will cost. I just simply want to back everything up, I just don't understand how to get finder to allow me to.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I am trying to copy literally everything off of my Macbook Pro's hard drive onto an external hard drive. They want to charge me 80euros to do this for me, but said if I wanted I could do it for free using the firewire cable and the external hard drive I have and gave me instructions on how to do so.

I would like to find a way to get around the Finder permissions if possible, I know there has to be a way, because I do not have the money to spare for another program since I have no idea how much the repairs for my macbook pro will cost. I just simply want to back everything up, I just don't understand how to get finder to allow me to.

CCC is free.

 

[HMcK]

CCC is free.

Hmmm it is?
I have heard some things about programs like this though and that people have had a hard time with it because it jumbled all their files.
Is it very difficult to get past the permissions in Finder? I also don't want to have to download anything on this mac as it is not mine.

 

[chown33]

Hmmm it is?

Yes.

I have heard some things about programs like this though and that people have had a hard time with it because it jumbled all their files.

I've been using Carbon Copy Cloner for years, with zero problems.

Is it very difficult to get past the permissions in Finder?

Yes. I could explain, but the shorter answer is "Use CCC". It's what I use, and I don't have to bother messing around with Finder for tasks like this.

I also don't want to have to download anything on this mac as it is not mine.

Insert a USB flash drive. Download it there. Install and run it there, too.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Hmmm it is?

Yes, according to its webpage, it is. Here is the ling again: CarbonCopyCloner

I have heard some things about programs like this though and that people have had a hard time with it because it jumbled all their files.

Where? If you use it properly, it does not do that.

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Maybe have a look at Advanced Search to find threads about many people using it successfully as backup method:

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Is it very difficult to get past the permissions in Finder? I also don't want to have to download anything on this mac as it is not mine.

Maybe it could work as root user, but since it is not your computer, I wouldn't do that.
And since you can uninstall CarbonCopyCloner quite easily (drag it to the Trash), and it doesn't have an install routine, it is quite easy to install it. You could even just start it from the mounted DMG and never install it and do just the backup and then you are done. The external HDD needs to be formatted properly though*.

* in case, it was missing from an earlier post: How to format a new HDD to install Mac OS X onto (or make a bootable copy onto)

 

[HMcK]

Yes.


I've been using Carbon Copy Cloner for years, with zero problems.



Yes. I could explain, but the shorter answer is "Use CCC". It's what I use, and I don't have to bother messing around with Finder for tasks like this.


Insert a USB flash drive. Download it there. Install and run it there, too.

Hmmm alright. Is it fairly easy to figure out then? I guess I'll try it, but I suppose I am a bit worried because it wasn't suggested to me at the shop. But I know there are many hidden tools on the web that can make things like this easier and it's just finding the right one that is hard so I'll trust what you both have said to me.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Hmmm alright. Is it fairly easy to figure out then? I guess I'll try it,

It is easy, you just select the MBP 1 HDD as source and the HDD you want to clone to as target. Then all the owner of MBP 2 has to do is putting in his/her password.

but I suppose I am a bit worried because it wasn't suggested to me at the shop. But I know there are many hidden tools on the web that can make things like this easier and it's just finding the right one that is hard so I'll trust what you both have said to me.

Because they want your money, or might not even know about, which would be a shame, since it is a valuable tool in troubleshooting and backing up.

 

[HMcK]

Yes, according to its webpage, it is. Here is the ling again: CarbonCopyCloner

Where? If you use it properly, it does not do that.

____________________________________________________________

Maybe have a look at Advanced Search to find threads about many people using it successfully as backup method:

[url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10644330/MR_Image_Hotlinks/MR_screenshots/MR_screenshots_2011_11/2011_11_02_pB1_MR_advSearch_small.png]Image[/URL]​

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Maybe it could work as root user, but since it is not your computer, I wouldn't do that.
And since you can uninstall CarbonCopyCloner quite easily (drag it to the Trash), and it doesn't have an install routine, it is quite easy to install it. You could even just start it from the mounted DMG and never install it and do just the backup and then you are done. The external HDD needs to be formatted properly though*.

* in case, it was missing from an earlier post: How to format a new HDD to install Mac OS X onto (or make a bootable copy onto)

What does the formatting do? Is that for the external hard drive then?
I know I must sound like such a newb but I just really want to make sure I get everything right and don't make any problems for the owner of this computer.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

What does the formatting do? Is that for the external hard drive then?
I know I must sound like such a newb but I just really want to make sure I get everything right and don't make any problems for the owner of this computer.

Yes, it is for the external HDD, as HFS+ and GUID are needed, if you want a bootable backup. If it is only HFS+ (Mac OS Extended), then it will not boot, but you can still backup to it.
Know, that formatting the external HDD (if necessary) will delete its contents.

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Links to guides on how to use Disk Utility, the application Mac OS X provides for managing internal and external HDD/SSDs and its formats.

Guide on how to use Disk Utility from the restore / installation DVD.

Using Disk Utility - Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks

which includes:

• Format, Erase, or Reformat a Drive
• Erase or Reformat a Partition
• Add a Partition
• Deleting and Resizing Partitions
• Disk Formats

and some more guides
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DiskWiping – One Pass is Enough​

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[chown33]

Hmmm alright. Is it fairly easy to figure out then? I guess I'll try it, but I suppose I am a bit worried because it wasn't suggested to me at the shop.

Makes me wonder what instructions were given to you by the shop. Can you post them? Link to them?

One reason I ask is because performing a full backup using Finder has always required root (or admin) privilege (as in, since Mac OS 10.0). So if the instructions don't cover this, then they are inadequate.

 

[HMcK]

Yes, it is for the external HDD, as HFS+ and GUID are needed, if you want a bootable backup. If it is only HFS+ (Mac OS Extended), then it will not boot, but you can still backup to it.
Know, that formatting the external HDD (if necessary) will delete its contents.

____________________________________________________________

Links to guides on how to use Disk Utility, the application Mac OS X provides for managing internal and external HDD/SSDs and its formats.

Guide on how to use Disk Utility from the restore / installation DVD.

Using Disk Utility - Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks

which includes:

• Format, Erase, or Reformat a Drive
• Erase or Reformat a Partition
• Add a Partition
• Deleting and Resizing Partitions
• Disk Formats

and some more guides
​

DiskWiping – One Pass is Enough​

____________________________________________________________​

Alright. And formatting the external hard drive, what will that do? Can you "unformat" it afterwards and delete everything off of it? I asks because I am also borrowing the external hard drive.

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Makes me wonder what instructions were given to you by the shop. Can you post them? Link to them?

One reason I ask is because performing a full backup using Finder has always required root (or admin) privilege (as in, since Mac OS 10.0). So if the instructions don't cover this, then they are inadequate.

No, they were very simple written instructions and he never said anything about needing permissions, according to him I should have been able to copy everything over at this point.
However because I am over in Europe it isn't an official Apple store, just an approved Apple one or something of the sorts, and I don't think they know as much about what is going on over here as they have told me different things regarding fixing my laptop.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Alright. And formatting the external hard drive, what will that do? Can you "unformat" it afterwards and delete everything off of it? I asks because I am also borrowing the external hard drive.

You can format a HDD anyway you want, but again, if data is on it, formatting will delete the data.

Wouldn't it be simpler to just remove the HDD from MBP 1 and then give the broken MBP 1 to Apple? They have their own diagnostic tools, like HDDs they can boot from.
Because it seems to be quite confusing for you what you are about to do.

 

[HMcK]

You can format a HDD anyway you want, but again, if data is on it, formatting will delete the data.

Wouldn't it be simpler to just remove the HDD from MBP 1 and then give the broken MBP 1 to Apple? They have their own diagnostic tools, like HDDs they can boot from.
Because it seems to be quite confusing for you what you are about to do.

It's not confusing, I'm certain I'll be able to do it, I just want to be prepared.
And I can't do that because they don't know what the problem is and we think it could possibly be the hard drive or something (they really have no idea and are not clear, they want to take a week to assess it). It's more complicated over here to fix things, I can't just go to the actual Apple store like I said. And they want to charge a lot of money to back things up for me, which is ridiculous because it seems simple to do.

 

[lasmith]

Currently I am working to back up all my files since my computer needs to be worked on, so I have hooked my macbook pro up to another macbook pro using the Target Disk Mode and firewire. I am transferring the files from the first mac through the second and onto an external drive, however I find that it is not copying all of the files over and tells me "The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access "file name here"."
I assume I need to somehow give the second mac access to the first with the username and password? Does anyone know if that is the problem and how to do this? Help would be much appreciated, it's been a stressful past few days not being able to use my computer.

I know this is like a bunch of years old. But I was looking for an answer to this and wanted to add the answer. Use target mode to read the contents of the of the drive. For any folder that has the red icon or permissions problem, do a get info on that folder, and under sharing and permissions set Everyone privilege to Read or Read & Write. You should now be able to view and copy over whatever files you need.