Download Mountain Lion to one Mac, but then install it on a different Mac instead?

Can I purchase and download OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store to one Mac, not install it on that Mac, transfer the downloaded file to another Mac, and install it on that other Mac instead?

Yes.
How to make a bootable Mountain Lion install drive
by Dan Frakes, Macworld.com
https://www.macworld.com/article/1167857/how_to_make_a_bootable_mountain_lion_in stall_drive.html

Similar Messages

I am currently running 10.7.5 on my macbook. I tried downloading Mountain Lion application...but it says 'error'',,,is there another way to upgrade my OS?

I am currently running 10.7.5 on my macbook. I tried downloading Mountain Lion application...but it says 'error'',,,is there another way to upgrade my OS?

First we need to know which one of the 9 different models of MacBook you have. To see which model you have go to the Apple in the upper left corner and select About This Mac, then click on More Info (and then System Report if you’re running 10.7 Lion). When System Profiler comes up check the Model Identifier and post it back here.
The Early 2006 model 1,1 Core Duo can only run a maximum of 10.6 Snow Leopard.
The models Late 2006 Core 2 Duos 2,1 through Early 2008 4,1 can only run a maximum of 10.7 Lion.
The Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody through the Mid 2010 White Unibody model 7,1 can run 10.8 Mountain Lion.

Can I download lion to one computer and then install it on several computers I own?

Can I download lion to one computer and then install it on several computers I own?

You can install it on as many computers that you personally own. But if you have several then you may want to avoid having to download it multiple times:
Make Your Own Lion Installer
1. After downloading Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Lion application. After Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing Lion.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
3. Locate the saved Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the InstallESD.dmg disc image file into the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable Lion installer that you can use without having to re-download Lion.

Tried to download Mountain Lion 10.8 upgrade but it failed even though my card has been charged

I tried to download Mountain Lion upgrade from Lion but it failed even though my card has been charged

http://www.apple.com/support/mac/app-store/contact.html?form=account

I downloaded mountain lion on my iMac, but the app icon keeps saying i need to download it. It's working fine otherwise.

I have downloaded and am successfully running Mountain Lion on my iMac. The app icon in dock keeps showing a red circle that tells me to download Mountain Lion (not an update)!!! When I go there they want the 19.99 to install just as if there is no record that I already have paid and downloaed the new OS.

Remove the icon from the Dock and post the results from Apple menu ->About this Mac.

Downloaded Mountain Lion from App Store, but it says by disk is locked and won't let me choose the hard drive for installation

I'm struggling to get Mountain Lion installed on my machine, but what is worse is that it has essentially rendered my computer useless (and of course I need to use it urgently). After downloading and installing from the App Store, I have run into some significant problems.
On install, when prompted to "select the disk where you want to install OS X" the hard drive is greyed out and a message comes up that says "The disk is locked."
So when I back out of the install, I am given the option for Disk Utility, Reinstall OS X (same results as before) or Restore from Backup (not backed up).
On the Disk Utility, I can hit Verify Disk and it names an error and says to hit Repair Disk. The error is an "Invalid Sibling Link. The volume Macintost HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired." Unfortunately, Repair Disk is greyed out and I can't hit it.
What I want to do is just forget the entire process at this point and scrap the upgrade until I have time to figure out what is going on. Is there a way to abort at this point?
Thanks for any help!

Your welcome!
You should always have and keep an up to date backup.
Sounds like you need something a little stronger than Disk Utility. At this point I have no way of knowing if Disk Warrior can or will help.
Depends..!
If you do format and install, then Yes it will.
If you reinstall OS X, then No it will not.
Problem is that according to the Disk Utility message, I don't think that you will be able to install either 10.6 or 10.8.
Those are very good questions. The only bad questions are the ones you have to ask yourself.

Downloading mountain lion 4 hours, 1 more to install

I understand the incredibly slow download is related to my Internet speed; I was glad to read that it took others a long time, too, but, once it was on my machine, it took another hour to install! I did search for reviews and customer tips before I bought the upgrade, but I wish I had known in advance that I would be unable to do anything else all afternoon on my computer.
So, if you haven't downloaded it, yet, maybe you should set it to begin at bedtime!

I think that since Apple just released the Mountain Lion 10.8.2 Update and iOS 6, their download servers are being somewhat overloaded. It may pay to try again in a day or two after things calm down a little. It also depends on where you live and how fast your ISP download speeds are.
Hope this helps

Cant download mountain lion.. "osx cannot be installed you have s.m.a.r.t. errors"

my computer has never had a problem it is the newest imac and i download things everyday with no problems ever...
for some reason when i try to dl the new mountian lion it first says os x cannot be installed on mca hd.. and somthing about s.m.a.r.t errors..
so i went to disk utilties the top drive 500.11 gb wdc wd500... is in red and says this drive has a hardware problem that cant be repaired back up as much of the data as possible and replace the disk..
then on the bottem it says s.m.a.r.t. status failing in red...
again i never had a problem with this computer and still dont have a problem with downloading anything except for this moutain lion..
also im on the latest osx 10.7.4

You should always be doing regular backups. Disks can fail at any time; so can other components; directories can get corrupted beyond repair, users can make mistakes, etc.
You might want to review the Time Machine Tutorial, and perhaps browse Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.
If you don't like Time Machine, see Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #27 for some alternatives.
Did you purchase AppleCare with your Mac? If so, the drive will be replaced at no charge.

Downloaded Mountain Lion getting error message can't install because Macintosh HD is damaged ?

Getting error message on MacBook Pro.

Hi George,
backup your data first.
Then repair your hard drive with diskutilty.
Steps as follows:
1.Backup your data.
2.Restart your Mac holding alt (option) key.
3.select Lion recovery hard drive , select disk utility.
4.Repair disk permission.Twice better.
5.repair disk.Twice better.
Then try installing ML 10.8
Good luck...

How do I download Mountain Lion to the other computers at my home without additional cost? I downloaded 10.8 to my main IMac but have two additional computers in my home.?

How do I download Mountain Lion to the other computers at my home without additional cost? I downloaded 10.8 to my main IMac but have two additional computers in my home.?

Install 10.6.8 on the other computers. Sign into the App Store with the same Apple ID used to purchase Mountain Lion. Click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. Locate your Mountain Lion purchase entry which will show an active Install/Download button to the right of the entry. Click on it to download to the computer. If you don't wish to download Mountain Lion twice, then do this:
Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
After DU loads select your flash drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash drive size.
3. Locate the saved Mountain/Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the content of the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Double-click on the InstallESD.dmg file to mount it on your Desktop.
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the mounted disc icon from the Desktop into the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable installer that you can use without having to re-download Mountain/Lion.
Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion.
As an alternative to the above you can try using Lion DiskMaker 2.0 that automates the process.

Can I download Mountain Lion now but install later

I made a " Qualifying purchases between June 11, 2012, and July 25, 2012 " so I have until August 24, 2012 to download Mountain Lion for free according to <http://www.apple.com/osx/uptodate/>
Can I download Mountain Lion before that deadline but install it later on?
I'd like to go from Lion to Mountain Lion when ML has nay initial bugs resolved.
Thanks.

Yes, the installer downloads to the Applications folder, if after downloading it asks to continue to do the installation just close that dialogue. Later, when you are ready to install click on the installer in the Applications folder and it will do its thing.

I have OS 10.6.8 and I've recently downloaded Mountain Lion (10.8.3)... when I try to install, it says that I need version 10.8 to continue... What do I do?

I have OS 10.6.8 and I've recently downloaded Mountain Lion (10.8.3)... when I try to install, it says that I need version 10.8 to continue... What do I do?

Open App Store and sign in with your Apple ID. Locate the Mountain Lion installer, purchase Mountain Lion, then download it. It's a 4 GB file. You have downloaded an updater.
Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/
    Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button.
    Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move
    the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You
    must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes
    installing.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
a. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
b. After DU loads select your flash drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left
      side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
c. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one.
      Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the
      partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until
      the process has completed.
d. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side
      list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
e. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the
      button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
f. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash
     drive size.
3. Locate the saved Mountain/Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the content of the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
a. Double-click on the InstallESD.dmg file to mount it on your Desktop.
b. Open Disk Utility.
c. Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
d. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
e. Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
f. Drag the mounted disc icon from the Desktop into the Source entry field.
g. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable installer that you can use without having to re-download Mountain/Lion.
Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion.
As an alternative to the above (you still have to do your own download of Lion/Mountain Lion) you can try using Lion DiskMaker 2.0 that automates the process of Steps 2 through 4.

How do I download Mountain Lion? I currently use Lion.

How do I download Monuntain Lion? I currently use Lion.

Use App Store and purchase and download Mountain Lion. Before you do so please see the following:
Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/
    Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button.
    Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move
    the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You
    must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes
    installing.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
a. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
b. After DU loads select your flash drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left
      side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
c. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one.
      Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the
      partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until
      the process has completed.
d. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side
      list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
e. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the
      button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
f. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash
     drive size.
3. Locate the saved Mountain/Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the content of the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
a. Double-click on the InstallESD.dmg file to mount it on your Desktop.
b. Open Disk Utility.
c. Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
d. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
e. Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
f. Drag the mounted disc icon from the Desktop into the Source entry field.
g. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable installer that you can use without having to re-download Mountain/Lion.
Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion.
As an alternative to the above (you still have to do your own download of Lion/Mountain Lion) you can try using Lion DiskMaker 2.0 that automates the process of Steps 2 through 4.

I am presently downloading mountain lion. When it finishes, what is the procedure?

I am presently downloading mountain lion. When it finishes, what is the procedure?

My recommendation:
Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
After DU loads select your flash drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash drive size.
3. Locate the saved Mountain/Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the content of the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Double-click on the InstallESD.dmg file to mount it on your Desktop.
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the mounted disc icon from the Desktop into the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable installer that you can use without having to re-download Mountain/Lion.
Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion.
Once you finish making the flash drive test it by restarting from it:
Boot Using OPTION key:
Restart the computer.
Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "OPTION" key.
Release the key when the boot manager appears.
Select the disk icon for the USB flash drive.
Click on the arrow button below the icon.
Now install Mountain Lion from the flash drive.
If you are not interested in doing all of the above, then just click on the Install button when the Mountain Lion application automatically opens on your computer after it downloads.

I downloaded mountain lion and then the new office suite (word, ppt, excel) but now when I try to display one of my ppt's it says 'ppt cannot open the file...the file may be corrupt, in use, not a type recognized by ppt etc.." how can I fix it?? HELP

I downloaded mountain lion and then the new office suite (word, ppt, excel) but now when I try to display one of my ppt's it says 'ppt cannot open the file...the file may be corrupt, in use, not a type recognized by ppt etc.." how can I fix it?? HELP

Did you try to open teh fle by double-clicking its icon? If the file was made with an older version of Office, you may get that message. Try opeing PP and, from its "File" menu, see if you can open the ppt. I've foundthat often gets around that message and then yo ucan save the file from the newer version.
If that doesn't work, consider asking in the Microsoft Office: Mac forums here:
Office for Mac forums
PowerPoint is not an Apple product and it seems a lot of people around here avoid Office.

Download Mountain Lion to one Mac, but then install it on a different Mac instead?

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