Cloning Mac

S

sandyj

Registered
I have a G5 with OSX 10.3.9 that has a huge bad block in the harddrive. I plan to reformat the drive. I also have a MiniMac with OSX 10.4. My question is, can I use Carbon Copy Cloner (or similar) to clone the newer OS and everthing else from the MiniMac to the G5? I'm not very Mac-saavy, and a google search turned up this statement on www.index-site.com/backup.html:

"Backup software which makes duplicate (also known as clone or mirror backups). These backups will boot any system that is capable of Firewire target disk mode, as that was another one of the features those systems got. To ensure that a clone works, select the destination drive in the Finder, by clicking it once, and selecting Get Info in the File menu, and uncheck "Ignore Privileges". If your clone is successful, then it should be able to boot the same system.
Important Note: Cloning to another computer via Target Disk Mode is NOT recommended. Apple's drivers are system specific, even with universal installs. Attempting to clone from one Mac model to another of a different vintage or model name, can result in kernel panics on the clone."
 
I would clone the older system to a Mac that has a newer system. That's asking for trouble. What you want to do is get the data you need (music, documents, email) and import that data into the new system. All of you personal data can be found in the folders in /YourHardDrive/Users/YourUsername/. Get your music from thee /Music/iTunes/ folder but be sure you first de-authorize you iTunes account on the failing Mac first though.

Your best bet (if you can still boot the failing Mac) is put a firewire cable between the two Macs (hook them together). Then boot he fail Mac while holding down the T button during the boot. This will boot the mac into FireWire Disk mode and it will act like an external firewire drive. Then on the Mini use /YourHardDrive/Applications/Utilities/Migration Assistant and import all you personnel files, music, data, etc.

After doing this dismount the failing Mac from the Mini by dragging the mounted disk to the Trash. Then go and pony up the money for a external hard drive like one of these and then use Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper. This way you can always make a boot able external for your Mac.
 
The G5 still works. I've backed up all prefs etc. I can reformat/reinstall 10.3.9 that came with G5, but want to know if I can clone FROM the MacMini To the G5, since the MacMini has the newer OS. If it's too risky, I'll just reinstall the 10.3.9. The statement I quoted, "Attempting to clone from one Mac model to another of a different vintage or model name, can result in kernel panics on the clone" is what concerns me.
 
sandyj said:
I have a G5 with OSX 10.3.9 that has a huge bad block in the harddrive. I plan to reformat the drive. ...
Click to expand...
Small bad blocks are to be expected. Huge bad blocks are not. They are a sign of imminent catastrophic media failure. Make sure that you indeed that a bad block is your problem. If it is, then perhaps you need a new hard drive.
 
I decided against the cloning idea, too risky. Backed up keychains, bookmarks, mail, add book, app support, preferences, etc and erased/reinstalled original OSX. Entire HD came back, including the 100 gigs lost in the bad block. Reinstalled software from original CDs, replaced stuff above, and I'm up and going in one day. Yeah!
 
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