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Using G3 iMac as external drive

  • 17-01-2007 4:21pm
    #1
    Westie123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 111 ✭✭


    Hello,

    I have a G3 iMac which is nearing retirement age. If I buy a mac mini for example could I use the iMac as an external hard drive so as to get some benefit from it? (I'm assuming it is worthless as a sale item)

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    Gordon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,524 ✭✭✭✭Gordon


    Yeah absolutely, you could use it as a backup drive.

    Connect a firewire cable to both macs (make sure the G3 is switched off). With the mac mini switched on - turn on the G3 and keep your finger on the letter T. This will startup the G3 in Target disk mode. When you see the firewire symbol on the G3 - it's now simply a hard drive. The Mini should now have mounted the drive onto the desktop.

    You can also use a crossover ethernet cable to transfer data (plus - share your internet connection) but I think that's a little slower than firewire.

    By the way, your mac may still be sellable. I nearly sold my old G3 imac to a collector. He collects ALL old macs (freak..) and unfortunately had my model - he wanted the White version. grr! So you may be lucky and find a collector that wants your old imac.


  • #3
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    You could run geexbox on it and turn it into a media player/fileserver too :)

    gx-play-full.jpeg


  • #4
    Westie123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 111 ✭✭Westie123


    Hello,

    Thanks for the replies. If I use the G3 as an external hard drive, do I need to keep OSX on it in order to start in Target Disk mode?


  • #5
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    Westie123 wrote:
    Hello,

    Thanks for the replies. If I use the G3 as an external hard drive, do I need to keep OSX on it in order to start in Target Disk mode?


    Nope its done in firmware, you can pull the OS off. TBH though, you could just buy a firewire enclosure!


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