iMac can't boot from FW external HDD

tewatson · tewatson #1 (**permalink**)

05-07-2010, 07:35 PM

The only thing that shows up when booting with the Option key held is the Macintosh HDD. This is using the FW800 port and a bootable WD My Studio drive, using a disk backup made with SuperDuper. Identical setup works on my new MacBook Pro.

Can't find any setting that might be inhibiting an external drive boot.

Tom

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #2 (**permalink**)

05-07-2010, 07:41 PM

With iMac running - can Superduper still see the Ext HD? if not run disk Utility and does the HD show up there?
Try swapping cable end for end or another cable (FW400) if u have one.

tewatson · tewatson #3 (**permalink**)

05-07-2010, 08:21 PM

Yep, drive still works fine otherwise. Just want to make sure there is not a system setting that can preclude the drive from being used as a boot drive.

Tom

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

05-07-2010, 09:44 PM

As a test, see if you can boot with the drive attached to your USB port. There may be a problem with the FW 800 port on the iMac.

Regards.

tewatson · tewatson #5 (**permalink**)

05-13-2010, 01:45 AM

Update - switching the cable around end-for-end did it. Boots fine. Thanks for the help troubleshooting.

Tom

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iMac can't boot from FW external HDD

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tewatson #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 27, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 34 Mac Specs: iMac C2D 2.66, MBP i5 2.4, MB C2D 2.4, iPad2 32GB 3G	05-07-2010, 07:35 PM The only thing that shows up when booting with the Option key held is the Macintosh HDD. This is using the FW800 port and a bootable WD My Studio drive, using a disk backup made with SuperDuper. Identical setup works on my new MacBook Pro. Can't find any setting that might be inhibiting an external drive boot. Tom
	QUOTE Thanks

Collin Bl #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2009 Location: Napier NZ Posts: 3,273 Mac Specs: 27 iMac i5, 2.4 C2D MBP & iMac 20, 1TB dual TC, AppleTV, iPh4	05-07-2010, 07:41 PM With iMac running - can Superduper still see the Ext HD? if not run disk Utility and does the HD show up there? Try swapping cable end for end or another cable (FW400) if u have one.
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,974 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	05-07-2010, 09:44 PM As a test, see if you can boot with the drive attached to your USB port. There may be a problem with the FW 800 port on the iMac. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

tewatson #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 27, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 34 Mac Specs: iMac C2D 2.66, MBP i5 2.4, MB C2D 2.4, iPad2 32GB 3G	05-13-2010, 01:45 AM Update - switching the cable around end-for-end did it. Boots fine. Thanks for the help troubleshooting. Tom
	QUOTE Thanks

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