Install osx without a monitor.

Is it possible to install osx on a (tower) machine without the use of a monitor AT ALL.
Is there a way of avoiding all the graphical nonsense that comes with the traditional installation (particularly for a simple install that makes a machine into a server only machine.)
For example, how would an institution upgrade or install 1000s of computers...one by one seems absurd.
The machine has a DVD drive, firewire, network--but no monitor.
There are other laptops available that may assist in the rebuild/reinstall.
Thanks

Firewire mode does allow for installing the OS.
You boot the mac to the firewire mode, connect it to your laptop, pop the installer CD in the laptop, reboot the laptop, and once in the installer, chose the firewire disk.
What is your current situation?
Also, if you do have 1000s of machines you can send your image to Apple and they'll pre-deploy it for you while they're manufacturing your order.
Upgrades can be done easily with ARD. You can run your own software update server (you'll need OS X Server for this) and point the client machines to it. That can be done remotely with ARD, or can be set in the image.

Similar Messages

New install OSX without deleting Windows in Bootcamp

Hello
I need to do a fresh install of Mac OSX but I have the windows installed by Boot Camp
It is possible to make a new installation OSX without deleting Windows in Boot Camp
Thanks

Should be not problem.
You might want to manually erase the OS X partition with Disk Utility booted from the installation disk to create a clean install, unless you want to reinstall (old archive and install) and keep your old files.
But do not repartition!

Re-install OSX without losing Windows7 partition? (preserving Bootcamp)

Recently my computer stopped booting into mac OS (apparently unfixable, details on that deduction are below).
The question:
I plan to reinstall MacOSX (from my startup disc).
However, I'd like to be sure that this won't destroy Bootcamp's partitioning. (because windows7 currently still starts fine).
Can anyone confirm that losing bootcamp is not a concern?
I'm worried that maybe it is just assumed that reinstalling OSX will destroy the old Bootcamp setup?
(my google searches haven't brought up any examples of my specific situation).
More details:
After moving my iMac (i7, 27") to a new desk, I started it up and walked away. the power supply started beeping horribly (its backup battery had lost charge, i assume). I stupidly pressed the power button to turn the UPS off, to stop the beeping, even though the iMac was still starting up. This killed the power. oops.
I could swear I was able to restart in OSX that night... but maybe my memory is flawed- because ever since, the iMac has hung up while starting up. maybe "freezing up" is the better term? except pinwheel is still spinning... (I'd also swear I left the mac in sleep mode that night, but when I came back the next day it was turned off. not sure if my memory is flawed... or if gremlins are tormenting me)
The next morning when I started up, I noticed a progress bar beneath the Apple logo, which i'd never seen before. after a couple minutes this bar went away, and I was just left with the spinning pinwheel below the apple logo. I let this run for more than an hour before giving up (giving up == holding the power button for several second to force it to power off).
- I restarted with option held down, and was able to load the windows partition just fine. (and am still able to).
- I restarted with cmd-v held down to enter verbose mode and see what's up. seemed to become hung up after printing " Rebuilding catalog B-tree"
- I rebooted with cmd-option-p-r keys held down, to reset pram and nvram. no change.
- I restarted with cmd-s held down so I could type something at the command line. I entered the suggested "/sbin/fsck -fy" text.
here is quick snapshot of what it displayed, when this failed:
http://www.warrenblyth.com/remote/probs/iMacHOME-commandLine_s.jpg
(basically, it went from "rebuilding catalog B-tree" to "the volume Macintosh HD could not be repaired")
- I restarted with d key held down and ran the quick version of diagnostics. it said there were no hardware problems. (i did not run the longer version). I rebooted to the same hung-up problem.
- I held c to boot from my startup disc (which took maybe 3 minutes? long time?). ... (sidenote: I thought this would just let me into the old desktop, like booting windows into safe mode. but instead it was just a limited menu set, like I was stuck in a program I couldn't quit. I believe it was prompting me to start installing OS. I managed to switch over to the disc utility program, by attempting to exit the default program, I believe. I get so frustrated/angry/emotional over epic computer problems that it seems to affect my memory).
- In Disk Utility I clicked "verify disk permissions" button. It predicted this would take 7 minutes, but it just stopped runnig after maybe 2 minutes. no results were displayed.
- So I clicked "verify disk".
here is a quick snapshop of results:
http://www.warrenblyth.com/remote/probs/imac-verifyDiskFAIL_s.jpg
(basically, it says problem can't be fixed and I should reformat)
This is when I decided it was a lost cause and my only remaining option was to reformat the mac partition. (yeah? make sense?)
Bonus:
- I restarted in Windows and copied everything I could think of off of the old mac portion of the hard drive. I had to reformat my WDmyBook external HDD to windows friendly formatting for this. I noticed this when looking at disk partitions:
http://www.warrenblyth.com/remote/probs/homeMac-partitions_s.jpg
probably nothing interesting here. I just thought it weird that there were 4 partitions instead of two. Wondered if one of these partitions was devoted to startup, and could be fixed without destroying the core mac partition.
My gut says there is probably just some start up glitch, and if I was smarter I could fix it without erasing all the old Mac files and installed programs. Though I'm also worried it may be a physical disc error, and reinstalling OSX won't solve anything. maybe I've ruined the machine and should seek replacement HW. ?
Really just posting here to see if anyone has advice. and to help anyone else who might be in same spot of confusion.
Thanks for any tips.

#1 You need a more robust program to fix the Mac boot drive like Alsoft Disk Warrior.
I stopped bothering with using Apple First Aid.
#2 You can lose Windows
#3 Try SuperDuper to clone Mac volume to another HFS+ partition.
HFS has its weaknesses. You probably continued using OS X after freezes or other problems.
Ideal is to reformat and restore both.
If there was a bad sector that is something chkdsk could deal with.
If the bad sector is in the hidden partition tables, you have to reformat.
Reformat is the best way going forward.
Even replacing a disk drive is something you can do. You probably want backup drive for each OS though.
And there are 3rd party disk maintenance programs. And should always be backed up and ready to restore a system without exception. Even if possible to doing trial runs to make sure how to.
I would spend the money to fix the directory in Mac OS X rather than the free reinstall of OS X - after making a bootable clone with SuperDuper, and repairing the clone as well first.
You may (dare I say "should") install Mac OS only just 30GB partition on a hard drive to use for fixing your system, instead of using CD or DVDs. And a partition large enough to hold your current Mac system to use for backup clone.
Windows HFS9 driver from Paragon allows read and write ability. They also have an NTFS drive for OS X to add write support. Good Windows backup tools.
Paragon for Mac
SuperDuper
DiskWarrior

Already installed OSX without updating firmware - a problem?

I’ve just installed Puma on a G3 iMac (slot loading) for a friend, and would like to upgrade to Panther.
Thanks to some helpful types on here today, I’ve realised I need to get the retail version to do this.
However, I didn’t update the firmware when I went from OS9 to OSX
Is it true that you can’t do it if you’ve already installed OS X?
and
Is this a problem?
(it didn’t tell me it needed doing when I installed Puma)
Thanks in advance, wise ones…

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
says to install 10.2 or later, you need to install
the firmware update first. And reading the firmware
update instructions, it is important to note, you
boot the machine into Mac OS 9 before installing the
firmware. The reason you didn't need for Puma is the
graphics chip drivers are different in Jaguar and
later.
ok, I see, so this is what i need to do
- dowload firmware
- boot up in os9
- install firmware
- install panther
further quick question - how does one boot in os9? sorry, i'm sure that's a real thickie question to ask. will puma have os9/classic environ installed with it too? (i don't remember seeing anything)

Installing OSX WITHOUT disc in Target Disc Mode

I have multiple computers that need to be updated- my question is this, once I have one computer fully updated how do I update the other computers in Target Disc mode?
I have attempted "restoring a disc" in Disc utility using the target disc as the destination, the host as the source, with no luck. All I get is the boot-up chime and then it freezes with a big apple icon on the screen. I have also trashed the old OS and drug in the new OS in Target disc mode and had more luck with that, although it took a LONG time. That way at least gave me a flashing question mark folder icon.
FYI- I have all the install discs for each computer, everything is above board, I am just trying to save time downloading update after update after update after update...

I see.
Consider the following:
Different Macs have different limitations regarding upgrading. Some can't go higher than Panther for instance. Whether upgrading to Panther or Tiger, each have minimum system requirements for RAM and hard disk space. Some older models from last decade even need a firmware update before they can take OS X.
So are these multiple computers a mixed bag or all similar? You may need to do some research for each of them.
Second, you say you have all the install disks for each. Are these the original grey disks which incidentally are machine specific, and furthermore will only install the OS that currently exists. Or have you purchased the Black Retail (Panther or Tiger) disks, which is what you will need to upgrade to a higher OS.
Regarding cloning and User's preferences. If there are different users with different preferences and settings these will necessarily be negated if a clone is applied - as the name would suggest an identical copy of one setup would be applied to all.
Is this what you really want?
If it is, and you are satisfied with all of the above considerations, this is how I would do it.
Two points first. A. If you use an external Firewire enabled Hard Drive, there will be no need to use Firewire Target Disk Mode. So you can avoid that complexity.
B. If you have tried to drag and drop an OS onto another disk, that will not work and you will probably have too reinstall that one from scratch, as that is definitely the wrong method.
So, 1. on Computer A use the Install disks to Upgrade using the Archive and Install method. This will preserve all preferences and existing applications.
+Insert the Install Disk 1 into the drive and then select Restart; when you hear the chime hold down C key until the apple logo appears.+
+This will take you to the installation software+
2. After it is installed, connect the external Hard Drive, knowing that is it formatted to HFS+ format and clone a copy of computer A's freshly upgraded OS onto it. I recommend SuperDuper as a good backup application, simply because I use it and it works well.
3. Once the clone is completed Restart the computer, and hold down the Option key to get to *StartUp Manager:*
Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume and select the external drive to test if it successfully boots. If it does, then Restart and just allow the computer to start up normally which will take you back to computer A. Do not disconnect the firewire cable by pulling it out. Once back on Computer A's desktop eject the external drive. Only when ejected may you detach the Firewire cable.
4. Go to computer B , start it, connect the ext. HD and Restart and boot into the External and clone it back onto Computer B.
regards roam
Message was edited by: roam
Message was edited by: roam

Installing OSX without disc???

Hi there
I got as a present an old Ibook G4 1,2 Mhz, and i want to reinstall the OS but dont have the CD, how can i do this????
Thanks

You might find a used OSX disc at a used computer software store, or on eBay of course. I know I tossed out all my old OSX software as no one wanted the copies.
SZ

How do install osx software without the software

How do I install osx without the software

You need to provide more info about teh situation. Mac's have an internet recovery and that is why they don't ship with DVDs anymore. Hold command+r during boot to access internet recovery.

Installing OSX on separate partition

I have an external HD which I partitioned to use part of it for TM, and 12Gb for a separate install of OSX to give me a bootable drive if I ever need it. I've looked at the install disk, and it looks straight forward, but before I actually try it, I wanted to ask here if there are any pitfalls or tricks to doing this install. Also, I'd prefer not to install all the Apple apps as I don't need them for this emergency bootable disk. Is there any simple way to install OSX without installing all the apps that normally come with it? If it's very convoluted to install without them, I'll just install them.
Thanks in advance for the help.

There is always confusion on APM (Apple Partition) vs. GUID (Intel partition) for bootable disks. To install on a intel mac, yes you need to start with a GUID partition. But you can boot from an APM partition (on intel) as well if you clone the existing bootable partition to a new partition.
If you have an external drive with TM on it you can resize the TM partition and reclaim some space on it then you have two partitions. It is easier to clone your boot drive with Carbon Copy or Super Duper than reinstall it. You can always then delete stuff you don't want - but a clone is far superior to a bootable only spare partition in case you really monkey things up as you can clone the entire boot drive back.
External drives are so cheap everyone should have a bootable clone and update that clone frequently. With the paid for version of Super Duper it is very fast, updating only the changes.
So best advice is this:
Leave what you have alone, let TM have a TM drive.
Buy a cheap (preferably firewire) drive as big as your boot drive or at least as big as what you have on it now. They sell 500GB ones here for $100.
Partition it GUID - if it is brand new you may as well but it doesn't matter - the fact is that it will be FAT32 99% of the time as they are all for Windows anyway.
Get CCC or Super Duper - both are free but the paid version of Super Duper is $20 and superior the next time.
Do a Complete clone. Boot from it to be sure.
Update weekly.

How do I install OSX onto a new SSD (in the place of my optical drive) without transferring all data across. However, with the applications, system and library on the SSD to improve the speed, but keep non essential items (the home folder) on the HDD

I have a mid 2009 13 inch unibody 2.53GHz MacBook Pro. I'm finding that it doesn't run as quickly as it used to.
A genius in the Apple store suggested that I replace my optical drive with an SSD, however only use the SSD for OSX, applications, system and library. Keep all documents, pictures, music etc on the current hard drive.
I would be grateful if someone could help me with:
1) installing OSX on the SSD without copying across data from the current hard drive
2) transferring applications, system and library folders across to the SSD so that they still function
3) changing my settings so that OSX reads the home folder from the current hard drive, as well as all the applications' data (documents, music etc...)
However, I would like to run iMovie, with all events etc solely from the SSD to speed up the process of editing movies.
If anyone could help with this, it would be much appreciated.

If you got the data transfer cable with your SSD, the procedure should be pretty simple - and there should be step-by-step instructions in the box. You're simply going to remove the bottom case of your computer (using a Phillips #00 screwdriver), take out the two screws in the bracket holding the hard drive into place (using same screwdriver), remove the drive and (use a Torx 6 screwdriver) remove the four screws that hold the hard drive in place. Then put in the SSD and reassemble the machine.
Then you'll plug up the old hard drive by using the SATA to USB cable and use the option key to boot from the old drive. I don't know what data transfer software Crucial provides, but I would recommend formatting the SSD using Disk Utility from your old drive ("Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with a single GUID partition) and then use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your old drive to your new SSD (see this user tip for cloning - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4122). You needn't worry about getting an enclosure since you have the data transfer cable and you don't want to use your old hard drive.
There are a number of videos on YouTube that take you step-by-step through this procedure - many specific to Crucial SSDs and their data transfer kit - do a little searching there if you're unsure of how to procede.
Clinton

Wipe and install OSX Leopard without the disk

Hi everyone,
I need to wipe my iMac and reinstall OS X Leopard. I have the install disks, but my CD drive doesn't work and can't read the disk.
Is there a way for me to wipe and install OSX Leopard without the disk?
Thanks.

You can turn the 2011 iMac into a Firewire Optical drive.
Put the Leo Install Disc into the 2011 iMac, boot the 2011 iMac while holding t key to put it into FW Target Disk Mode, with a FW cable connect the the 2, boot older one holding Alt key, choose the Leo Install Disc to boot from.

Is there a way to install X11 without re-installing OSX?

I cannot find a way of installing X11 without re-installing OSX.
I've looked on the cd for the installer but with no luck.
The X11 installer isn't located in the bundled software installer and X11 will not install with the X11 SDK.
The retail verson of tiger has an optional istall on the disk but it will not work with intel macs. And the X11 download from apple will not work with Tiger (not even in Rosetta).
I've found the X11 install option when I restart my MacBook with the install DVD inside and am asked to reinstall Tiger. This doesnt do me any good because i dont want to do a fresh install of tiger just to get X11.
Does anyone know a way around this issue?
Please Help!
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

On the intel Tiger DVD there is no additional software or other software folers or packages. There is:
Install Bundled Software (which does not contain X11)
Install OSX and Bundled Software (which requires you to reinstall OSX to Install X11)
Xcode Tools Folder (which contains Xcode and Xcode extras but no X11 installer)
And documentation PDFs
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

BEFORE INSTALLING OSX Mavericks, do I have to create a back up of all the contents on my Mac book pro or i just have to install it and everything stays without getting deleted.

before installing osx mavericks, do i have to create a back up of all the stuff that i have on my mac book pro or can i just click install and everything stays without getting deleted.

Never Ever do anything with an operating System without backing up first.
While it is usual for a new OS to install with no loss of data, the time you do it without first backing up will most likely be the time that you wish you had backed up.
In all of the updates and upgrades Apple distributes there is a recommendation to backup your data before installing.
The easiest option is to get an external hdd if you do not already have one, plug it into the mac and follow the prompts to use the drive for Time Machine. Note that any data existing on the external hdd will be erased so use a new one or one that you are confident is ok to erase without a disaster ensuing.
Also ensure that System Preferences -> Energy Saver has been set so the Computer Sleep is Never so that the backup will not be interrupted if this is the first backup or it is a long time since the last backup was done.

How can I install OSX into a new hard drive without a CD?

I just installed a new hard drive and I don't have a installation CD/DVD to install OSX. How can I go about install a fresh copy?

Are you able to beg or borrow access to another Mac that has access to the internet & is new enough to use the App store?
You can sign in to your App store account & download the appropriate installer (Mavericks or whatever you have in your account). Then you can make a USB bootable copy of the installer (there are many other guides around)…
http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/08/make-a-bootable-mac-os-x-10-7-lion-installer-from -a-usb-flash-drive/
If you can access a Mac but don't want to do the huge download you can use the recovery assistant to create a bootable recovery partition on a USB stick.
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433
When you boot your Mac it will download the OS for installation.
Does the original HD still work? It may be quicker to get a cheap 2.5inch case & boot from that just to get an OS downloaded & installed. It will mean you are not wasting cash & time on 10.6 that is only needed for one App store download.
I'd consider a trip to an Apple store if you have one local, they may drop an installer or recovery partition onto a memory stick for you.

Help with installing OSX Lion on iMac with broken display

Hi,
Having some trouble installing OSX Lion on my 5 year old iMac which has a broken display.
The display has been dead for a couple of years now and I've been using an external monitor without any problems. Today I decided to upgrade to Lion - I downloaded the installer from the App Store and started the install which rebooted the machine. After reboot I'm presented with a grey 'thatched' background image on the external display and nothing else, no menu bar, installation menu etc.
I presume the internal display is showing the menu I need but I can't see it as that screen is broken. Is there a way to turn on mirroring during the install process so I can use my external display? I've tried various shortcuts held down during startup - OPTION-F14, CMD-F1, CMD-F2 - but none have worked.
If this isn't possible, is there a way to abort the Lion install process and go back to using my Snow Leopard install? Whenever I boot the machine I am taken to the OS X Lion installer and don't know how to get back to my Snow Leopard install. I tried holding down OPTION key on startup to choose the list of available OS installs, but again, the internal display is being used so I can't see what to do.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Genius idea, thank you. Was able to step through the install procedure using voiceover and the screenshots on this page http://www.macstories.net/mac/os-x-lion-installation-guide-boot-discs-and-qa/
Definitely a first for me, installing an OS with voice only

Install OSX 10.4.7 on iMac G3 creates panic messages, someone plz help me?!

Hi,
I got this iMac G3 with OS 9.1 installed on the hdd. I first updated the firmware and then swapped the hdd for an empty one (with was once used on a windows system)
I try to install OSX 10.4.7 (original grey cd's for iMac) on my iMac G3
Short after reading the cd I get the following screen: grey with a black window witch says: "you need to restart your computer .Hold down the Powerbutton for several seconds or press the restart button" in several languages.
shown over this screen I see multiple lines with several panic and kernel messages.
the first line says: panic (cpu 0 caller 0x002E49D0): unable to find driver for this platform: "Powermac2,1".
I pressume that the last line mentions the problem witch causes the hanging?
Last line says:
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 8.7.3: Tue Aug 8 18:13:19 PDT 2006; root:xnu-792.11.2obj~1/RELEASE_PPC
panic: We are hanging here...
I strolled off the internet using this last message to find an answer for this "panic" but no results.
Pressing d or c while starting up doesn't matter, I instantly get the screen as discribed.
I did reset-nvram and then reset-all, still the same screen shown.
And yes, I'm new to the "appleworld", I've had it with windows, so hopefully i'm only making newbie errors
Anybody here who can help me out?
PS: i made a picture of the screen, but don't know how to upload it here (might not be possible anyway)

HI Eppie (gek hoor)
I upgrade a lot of G3 from OS9 to Tiger. As we speak/type I'm doing a G3 500 MHz. I created a Tiger clone on a Hard disk so I can do the upgrade also on G3s without a DVD player.
The process USED to work smooth until a few minutes ago:
-- I upgraded my clone to 10.4.11 first: the clone disk was connected to a already long ago upgraded G3: went well
-- I upgraded the OS9 G3 on the firmware level
-- Tried to boot the G3 from the clone disk>>>BANG crash
-- Fortunately I had also a 10.4.4 clone on the same disk (other partition) and the target booted very well from that partition.
Conclusion (until now)
iMac G3 with OS9 on the HDD and upgraded firmware won't leap to recent versions of tiger (I don't know where the break point is it's between 10.4.4 and 10.4.11
I'm right now transfering 10.4.4 and for the sake of the experiment I will look after the the target G3 is running 10.4.4. if I can boot from the external HDD partition with 10.4.11. If it works I'll transfer that one and having a clean 10.4.11 on a 7 old imac
Hope this helps
Henk

Install osx without a monitor.

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