Cannot boot into target mode

[GregoryN]

Hello,

I have an iMac G3 that I suspect has a bad hard drive and am trying to recover a few remaining files from it but cannot seem to access the hard drive no matter what I do.

I got a FireWire and am trying to start it up in target mode. It's connected to my MacBook, but when I power it on with the T key down, it starts to boot up for a few seconds but then shuts down to a black screen.

Any help appreciated! -Gregory

 

[ElDiabloConCaca]

Does your computer meet all the requirements for being able to boot into Target Disk Mode?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

 

[GregoryN]

I think so. I have a basic 6-pin FireWire. How do I tell what version it is?

 

[GregoryN]

OK, I hooked up two MacBooks to test the FireWire, and although the FireWire logo is showing on the target computer screen, I don't see anything showing up on the host computer desktop, even after restarting.
I just bought this FireWire new on eBay. Could something be wrong with it?

 

[GregoryN]

I think I figured out the answer to my initial question: the iMac G3 is too old to do target disk mode.