Apple xserve Service Manual

Xserve Verification of Basic Services - 12

 How to Start up the Server Using an External Drive

How to Start up the Server Using 
an External Drive

Starting up Xserve from an external drive is useful when you need to run diagnostics or 

isolate internal CD-ROM drive issues.

In order to start up the server from an external drive, you must have:

• another FireWire drive or system, such as an external FireWire hard drive, or a 

Macintosh computer that is capable of starting up using Target Disk Mode (for 

example a PowerBook or iBook) 

• a version of Xserve software (Mac OS X Server 10.1.5) capable of starting up Xserve 

already installed on the external drive

•  a keyboard and display connected to server

• physical access to the server

• a keyboard to locally select a volume

1.

 Make sure that Xserve is turned off.

2.

Connect a FireWire cable between the external FireWire drive or computer and 

Xserve. 

3.

Hold down the 'T' key on the keyboard of the external FireWire-capable computer 

while it starts up to put it into FireWire Target Disk Mode.

4.

Turn on Xserve while holding down the 'Option' key on Xserve's keyboard. The Startup 

Manager appears.

5.

Select the appropriate drive you wish to start up from in the Startup Manager window, 

and then click the right arrow button.

6.

 Xserve should start up to the external FireWire drive or computer.

1.

Open the Terminal application on a remote computer.

2.

Log in as an Admin user on the Xserve.