I have a windows machine, and I want to image a mac laptop. I think I used FTK imager previously, but in that case both the machines were windows based.
Would I be able to do this using FTK imager? Also, would I need to take out the hard drive of the laptop or is there a way to image it using USB ports?
thanks!
Would I be able to do this using FTK imager?
Yes - a full disk image is a bitsream copy and will copy all the physical sectors on the drive regardless of the file and operating system present. But to view the file system; it can do that as well. Always check the manual wink
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Also, would I need to take out the hard drive of the laptop or is there a way to image it using USB ports?
Depends. How much time you have with the unit, the type of physical housing (laptop design), PowerPC or Intel, type of boot CD you would use. We try to not disassemble Johnny 5 unless necessary and image via firewire, boot-cd and a Solo-III. However, it takes more time than my eSATA bridge field kit so if time sensitive I will remove the drive. However I am comfortable doing this because I have a lot of practical and professional experience taking the units apart. If you do not; see plan A. We ofter hear horror stories of people returning the units damaged/broken because a tech didn't know what they were doing taking apart a laptop. The hard drives location and removal is just plain tricky compared to say a ThinkPad that can be held in by no more than a single screw in a swap bay.
Also, the system architecture for boot CD's is different from PPC to x86 and you may not be able to boot from a CD on a PPC.
If you have the funds I recommend MacQuisition from BlackBag. It is priced right in my opinion and can save a lot of headaches. Nice collection and CoC features. Very plug-n-play friendly.
As with other acquisitions, you must find out what is important for you. If you must remove the harddrive, remove it.
If you can take the "risk" to work with it in another way - do so.
Options for you can be a bootable media, such as the boot disk from blackbagtech, LinEn, Helix.
Another option is Target disk mode, especially if you have a hardware write blocker. Then you can start the mac in tdm and hook it up to the acquisition machine using the FW port, and use FTK imager or whatever you like.
Good luck D
Hi Tim,
We have posted a long write-up about Mac acquisitions on our site, The Apple Examiner (otherwise I would just cut&paste it here). Here are 2 direct links that might be of use to you
Acquisition http//
Disk Arbitration http//
Best wishes,
Ryan
Boot to Raptor….
Write image to standalone harvest drive…..
No embarrassing screws left over or broken plastic/aluminium
Thank you all for the replies. As suggested, I'll take a little while study the links and guides before coming back with specific questions.
thanks again!
if you have a firewire writeblocker -> TDM mode
if you don't have a firewire writeblocker -> raptor bootCD
if you have a lot of experience in disassembling a mac -> open it up.
Of course, it depends on the model and make. A few weeks ago I had a MBP unibody, and all I had to do was to remove the cover for the battery, and then 1 - one - screw. Then the HD was removed. Way easier than even TDM.
But, as posted, it can be a pain to gain access. Check the model against ifixit.com, and see how easy/difficult it is prior to making the decision.
I normally do.
Also, Google is your friend. You will be surprised how may "How To" videos are online giving instructions for taking apart various devices. Do practice with lab not case equipment though 😉