Disk Utility

[Paddy]

Buck, that Pioneer drive should work just fine. Are you going to try to install it in the eMac or are you going to get an external FW/USB case for it?

BTW - if you opt for an external case, you need to look for a 5.25" FIREWIRE/USB 2.0 - you cannot boot from a USB 2.0 drive with that particular Mac. Even if the Mac sees the Playstation, it can't boot from it, as it's USB 2.0.

Anyway - if you do opt for an external case, here are a couple of options:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20Wor...uting/MRFWU2OB/

They also sell the Syba enclosure, for a good deal less. Customers at NewEgg commented that it came with a lousy FW cable, so if you go for the Syba, get it at NewEgg and order a FW cable too:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817801003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....amp;Order=PRICE

(you will need the 6 pin to 6 pin cable - just need to decide on the length)

If the Syba cable does work, well, no big expense! Stores like Best Buy charge an arm and a leg for cables, so that's why I'm recommending just getting a spare *in case* if you order the Syba enclosure.

[Xairbusdriver]

I don't think PPC machines can use USB for a boot drive, even if your Mac 'sees' the PlayStation drive, I don't think you could boot from the Install disks on it.

[Buck]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Feb 8 2009, 03:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Buck, that Pioneer drive should work just fine. Are you going to try to install it in the eMac or are you going to get an external FW/USB case for it?

BTW - if you opt for an external case, you need to look for a 5.25" FIREWIRE/USB 2.0 - you cannot boot from a USB 2.0 drive with that particular Mac. Even if the Mac sees the Playstation, it can't boot from it, as it's USB 2.0.

Anyway - if you do opt for an external case, here are a couple of options:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20Wor...uting/MRFWU2OB/

They also sell the Syba enclosure, for a good deal less. Customers at NewEgg commented that it came with a lousy FW cable, so if you go for the Syba, get it at NewEgg and order a FW cable too:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817801003
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....amp;Order=PRICE

(you will need the 6 pin to 6 pin cable - just need to decide on the length)

If the Syba cable does work, well, no big expense! Stores like Best Buy charge an arm and a leg for cables, so that's why I'm recommending just getting a spare *in case* if you order the Syba enclosure.

I want to go external. But I didn't know I need to add a case to the drive or these other cables. As I stated, I know little of what needs to be done. I'm confused, which is quite often.

[chriskleeman]

Hi Buck,

Yes, with that drive you will need a case to go external. In addition to Paddy's links, here's the one to the Syba enclosure at OWC:
SYBA

Looks like the one at New Egg is much cheaper, and if you order an extra cord for the Syba, make sure it's a 6 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable. Here's the exact link to the one you'll need, a 6' long cable: Firewire cable

So it looks like NewEgg can get you a case plus an extra cable for under $30 before shipping.

HTH,

Chris

[Paddy]

Buck, you've ordered the bare drive - it needs an enclosure and the cables & power supply if you want it to be external. If you order an external case, it will come with the cables and the power supply. Those things aren't needed if you install the drive internally, as it plugs into the computer's power supply and the cable that goes to the existing (dead) drive.

I'd suggest that you order the OWC external enclosure - it's a little more expensive, but their stuff is very good and you'll have no worries about dodgy cables.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20Wor...uting/MRFWU2OB/

All you'll need to do once it arrives, is take it apart (usually two screws or so holding the two halves together), pop the Sony drive into the enclosure, attaching the power cable and the internal ATA cable and using the supplied screws, attach the drive to the case, then close it back up, put in the screws holding the case together, plug it in and plug it into your Mac (Firewire cable) and turn it on. It will take about 5 minutes tops - it's not difficult. It will come with an instruction sheet.

[Buck]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Feb 8 2009, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Buck, you've ordered the bare drive - it needs an enclosure and the cables & power supply if you want it to be external. If you order an external case, it will come with the cables and the power supply. Those things aren't needed if you install the drive internally, as it plugs into the computer's power supply and the cable that goes to the existing (dead) drive.

I'd suggest that you order the OWC external enclosure - it's a little more expensive, but their stuff is very good and you'll have no worries about dodgy cables.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20Wor...uting/MRFWU2OB/

All you'll need to do once it arrives, is take it apart (usually two screws or so holding the two halves together), pop the Sony drive into the enclosure, attaching the power cable and the internal ATA cable and using the supplied screws, attach the drive to the case, then close it back up, put in the screws holding the case together, plug it in and plug it into your Mac (Firewire cable) and turn it on. It will take about 5 minutes tops - it's not difficult. It will come with an instruction sheet.

Ok! I've got the EX-HD up and running. Now what I need to know is how to load the eMac Software CD. Does "Target Disk Mode" have anything to do w/ that?

[Paddy]

No, you don't need to use Target Disk Mode.

You do have the drive attached via Firewire? If so, put the eMac's system disk in the drive. Make sure that you can see the disk ok in the Finder. Then, restart, holding down the option key during startup. You should be presented with a screen with the option of starting from the internal HD or the external HD. Be patient - it often takes a while for the drives to show up. Select the external drive and click the arrow to complete the startup. You'll now be booted from the external FW optical drive and can do an archive and install of your system software.

[Buck]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Feb 11 2009, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, you don't need to use Target Disk Mode.

You do have the drive attached via Firewire? If so, put the eMac's system disk in the drive. Make sure that you can see the disk ok in the Finder. Then, restart, holding down the option key during startup. You should be presented with a screen with the option of starting from the internal HD or the external HD. Be patient - it often takes a while for the drives to show up. Select the external drive and click the arrow to complete the startup. You'll now be booted from the external FW optical drive and can do an archive and install of your system software.

Restore DVD shows on monitor. Restarted holding opt, key.
It didn't do as you said, only to reboot in regular mode.

[chriskleeman]

Hi Buck,

You gotta hold that Option key down the whole time until you see the screen that gives you the option of which drive to start from. If you let up on it at any time during the start-up, the computer will just revert to regular start-up.

Another option: Go to System Preferences>Startup Disk>external drive. Click on the external drive and then restart. But either of these will only work if you're connected via Firewire.

HTH,

CK

[Buck]

QUOTE(Buck @ Feb 11 2009, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE(Paddy @ Feb 11 2009, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, you don't need to use Target Disk Mode.

You do have the drive attached via Firewire? If so, put the eMac's system disk in the drive. Make sure that you can see the disk ok in the Finder. Then, restart, holding down the option key during startup. You should be presented with a screen with the option of starting from the internal HD or the external HD. Be patient - it often takes a while for the drives to show up. Select the external drive and click the arrow to complete the

startup. You'll now be booted from the external FW optical drive and can do an archive and install of your system software.

Restore DVD shows on monitor. Restarted holding opt, key.
It didn't do as you said, only to reboot in regular mode.

System Preferences>Startup Disk>external drive.

I found my OSX install CD. Thing is it will not show in the startup disk window. But it shows on the monitor.
Seems I'm not going to fix this DU Permissions, repair thing.

[Paddy]

Buck, you have got the external drive connected via FIREWIRE, not USB, haven't you? The eMac won't boot from USB.

[Xairbusdriver]

Don't give up just yet. Just try the option key method again and keep the met pressed until your finger hurts.

And even after you get the external Install disk to be used, the Startup will seem like it will never complete! It will take three to four times longer to boot off a DVD. Hang in there!

[Buck]

Success!! Reinstalled OS X!

Now, is there anything I need to keep from the previous system folder? Or do I just trash it.

Permissions have been repaired.

Now I need to figure out why the eMac restore CD is not supported. It worked in the past.

Thanks Paddy and to all of you that offered help.  
Ya'll are the best to be sure. Buck

[Paddy]

Buck, if the eMac restore CD is not supported, is it because it's a much earlier version of OS X than you're currently running? I'm assuming that you used an OS X retail disk in the end?

Make sure everything is working fine - give it a couple of days. After that, it's probably safe to trash your previous system folder.

[Buck]

QUOTE(Paddy @ Feb 12 2009, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Buck, if the eMac restore CD is not supported, is it because it's a much earlier version of OS X than you're currently running? I'm assuming that you used an OS X retail disk in the end?

Make sure everything is working fine - give it a couple of days. After that, it's probably safe to trash your previous system folder.

Yes, you assumed right. I used a OSX disk.
And the restore disk is for 10.3. I have 10.4.11.