booting from a firewire drive

[ryanhargrave]

I've been using SD for a few months now using the "backup - all files" method.

I've got a new internal HD to put in my MacBook Pro and being new to macs I'm a little confused.

When I put the new blank Hard Drive in the mac, how do I boot to the Firewire Drive?

Once booted and running off the drive do I simply run SD and do a "backup - all files" and target the new internal drive?

Thanks for the help. I know these may be easy answers but I'm a bit confused :)

[chris_johnsen]

To boot from an alternate device, hold down Option while booting the computer. You will get a boot menu. Pick your FireWire drive from that menu.

To restore, just use SuperDuper! to “Backup - all files” from the external to the new internal (if it is not already GPT, partition it as as GUID first; see the partitioning FAQ (http://www.shirt-pocket.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5738)).

[ryanhargrave]

Chris. Thank you so much. When holding the option key.. this works een with a blank internal HD (Outside the OS)? Pretty cool.

[chris_johnsen]

Yes, the Option-boot menu will probe for all bootable volumes (internal, FireWire, USB) and present them. Even if you have a non-bootable internal disk, any external disks you have attached will show up in the list.

[ryanhargrave]

worked great! Thanks for all the help. Upgraded to a new Hard drive with less headache than I've ever had!