Accessing old Mini's HDD from new Mini?

[Richard8655]

Very pleased with the late 2012 Mini recently purchased. However, it doesn't come with an optical drive (obviously).

My early 2009 Mini optical drive works perfectly and I'd rather not purchase a seperate one for the new Mini. Also want to keep the 2009 Mini for its still valuable and useful 320gb hard drive space.

What's the best way to access the old Mini's data from the new? File Sharing feature? Ideally I'd like to see and access the old Mini's hard drive as a seperate HD icon on the new Mini's desktop. Is this possible?

 

[gixxerfool]

You didn't mention how you were looking to access it. Wirelessly? LAN? Ethernet?

 

[cinealta]

Try target disk mode:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ph10725

 

[redheeler]

Enable DVD or CD Sharing on the 2009 and you'll be able to use its disk drive from the new one.
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT5287

 

[Richard8655]

O

Try target disk mode:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ph10725

Enable DVD or CD Sharing on the 2009 and you'll be able to use its disk drive from the new one.
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT5287

Excellent. Thanks guys!

You didn't mention how you were looking to access it. Wirelessly? LAN? Ethernet?

Sorry, it could be any of those, but preferably wifi wirelessly.

 

[rigormortis]

like the other guy said.. target disk mode will let you use the cd drive

cd sharing

cd sharing is good if you want to install a software program from another mac's cd drive. maybe for copying photos. documents..
but.. if you want to do something like reinstall os x, you need to use target disk mode. i haven't tried target disk mode for watching dvd movies tho!

if you put the mac in target disk mode, and press the C key during boot on the other computer, it will see the cd drive on the other computer and install os x. I've tried it once and it worked

a lot of macs have os x install over the internet and recovery partitions. but target disk mode still works for installing os x from a cd, if you still have to do it that way

 

[Cave Man]

If it's in Target Disk Mode, I don't think you can access the DVD drive. If that's true, the best thing is to turn on sharing on the old Mini (Screen Sharing, File Sharing and DVD/CD Sharing) and leave the mini on as a headless Mac. You can then access its functions wirelessly (slow) or through direct connection (ethernet cable). If you need to do management you can use Screen Sharing to bring up the old Mini on your new Mini's screen.

 

[Richard8655]

Thanks also to the last 2 posts.

A combination of File Sharing and CD/DVD Sharing sounds like the best way to go.

Will also investigate Screen Sharing, as I now just toggle the monitor between the 2 Mini's by switching between HDMI input from the new and DVI input from the old.

 

[poiihy]

File sharing is good for what you want. Enable File sharing on the old Mini and then you can mount its hard disk drive to your new mini and access it like it's right there

 

[Richard8655]

File sharing is good for what you want. Enable File sharing on the old Mini and then you can mount its hard disk drive to your new mini and access it like it's right there

Yep, works perfectly as described. The other Mini appears as if a separate external drive on the late 2012. Thanks much. I don't know why many get rid of their old Mini's when this kind of smooth access to their old machines is available and works so well.