Mac OS X: Does Not Start Up From Hard Drive Used in a Different Computer, or from a Custom Restored Image

Later model Macintosh computers that cannot start up from Mac OS 9 may not be able to start up from a hard drive that was used in an earlier model computer, or if you restore the system using the asr Terminal command from an image that was created on an earlier Macintosh computer.
Symptom

This can occur when the original hard drive, or restored image of that drive, was first used in a computer that can start up in Mac OS 9, or is an Xserve, but the receiving computer cannot start up in Mac OS 9.


Solution

If the hard drive has already been moved or restored

You can use this solution if a different Mac OS X volume is in the computer (excluding the Install or Restore CD that came with the computer). If you do not have a different volume, you must move the drive back to the earlier computer and follow the instructions below under "Before moving the hard drive or creating the restorable image with asr".

After the computer starts from Mac OS X on a different disk volume, Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities) and type this command:

#sudo bless -folder /Volumes/Your_Volume_Name/System/Library/CoreServices -bootinfo /usr/standalone/ppc/bootx.bootinfo

Notes


Before moving the hard drive or creating the restorable image with asr


Use this solution before moving the hard drive. Start up from the system that is to be used in the new computer or for the image. Open Terminal (/Applications/Utilities) and type this command:

#sudo bless -folder /System/Library/CoreServices -bootinfo /usr/standalone/ppc/bootx.bootinfo


Note: A space precedes and follows "-bootinfo". All commands should be on a single line.


Related documents

25498: "Mac OS X 10.2: About Apple Software Restore Command Line Utility (asr)"

Published Date: Feb 17, 2012