Installing OSX on separate HD

I have bought a new Mac Pro and would like to install OS10.5 on one of the other internal Hard Drives I have added. (Useful for testing upgrades and software before committing it to the main system) I have a 10.5.1 Family Pack Leopard DVD but understand that this will not boot the machine and so cannot be used for the install.
Can I use the install disc that came with the machine to install OSX on an existing partition of one of the other drives without re-formatting? I have data on them already.
Thanks
Dave

I would resize one of your partitions as this is for 'testing' and keep it separate.
Plus, I would clone your existing system to either that drive partition or to another disk.
Main system, test system, backup system (could be used for repairs though I favor having a small 20GB partition for running Disk Warrior and such).
Backups of a partition can also be to a Disk Utility "sparse disk image."

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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.

Can't install OSX on firewire drive?!?

I have a brand new Mac Mini (specs below) and just purchased an OWC Ministack v2 for extra USB and Firewire ports, with a Hitachi 250GB drive in it.
It's in 1394 mode, hooked up to the Mini, which recognizes it as a firewire drive. I'm able to copy files to it and open them fine, drive passes all tests.
When I insert the Install Disc 1 that came with the Mac Mini, I run the installer, which boots up from the disc and askes for the destination. It sees the firewire drive, but says that I cannot install OSX on that volume.
My question is, does the installer only allow you to install OSX on the Mini drive itself?!? Or is there something wrong with my drive? Anything I can do to get around this?
I have a separate Tiger install CD, but the Mini can't run the installer (presumably because it's pre-Universal Binary?).
THANKS a ton for your feedback, much appreciated.

Aye that was certainly the reason behind the problems I recently had when I was setting up an external drive with my Intel MacBook Pro.
After much testing and a little searching via Google, it would seem that Disk Utility was formatting the drive as an Apple Partition Map (APM) partition rather than a GUID Partition Table (GPT) that is necessary to use an external drive as a startup drive for an Intel Mac.
iFelix

Installing OSX Lion on OSX Mountain Lion Partitioned drive-Help/Advice please

I have my late 2009 27" iMac running OSX 10.8.5 Mountain Lion but need to install OSX Lion on a separate partition and would appreciate help / procedure advice as to how to do this safely.
I need to do this because I have found that running FCP7 Studio under 10.8.5 there's some missing or odd keyboard and Timeline functions that were not there under Lion and FCP7 is a valuable tool for me that I don't want compremised. I'd like to be able to run FCP7 / Lion in a separate partition on the iMac.
I have partitioned the HD and there's about 700gigs of clean space on the second partition. I also have downloaded from my account on the App Store a copy of Install Mac OS Lion to my Applications folder and I also have a copy of it on a USB Thumbdrive.
So, what do I do now to safely install the second OS without messing up everything else that's on the machine in the prime partition?
Thanks!

Ok….I managed to work it out…..Installed Lion on the second partition, working fine now.
PM

I have a late 2009 iMac. I installed OSX 10.8.4 and want to go back to Snow Leopard. I have a 1.5TB external HD. Are there any issues I need to know about or tips I need to know before doing this? Thanks.

I have a late 2009 iMac. I installed OSX 10.8.4 and want to go back to Snow Leopard. I have a 3TB external HD. Are there any issues I need to know about or tips I need to know before doing this? Thanks.

Downgrade Lion/Mountain Lion to Snow Leopard
1. Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer Disc. After the installer
      loads select your language and click on the Continue
      button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the
      Utilities menu.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard.
This will erase the whole drive so be sure to backup your files if you don't have a backup already. If you have performed a TM backup using Lion be aware that you cannot restore from that backup in Snow Leopard (see below.) I suggest you make a separate backup using Carbon Copy Cloner.
If you have Snow Leopard Time Machine backups made while on Snow Leopard, then you may do a full system restore per #14 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions. If you have subsequent backups from Lion, you can restore newer items selectively, via the "Star Wars" display, per #15 there, but be careful; some Snow Leopard apps may not work with the Lion/Mountain Lion files.

Where to install OSX?

Hello i have a mac pro 2.8 eight core. I currently have 2 drives, the stock 320GB drive and a new WD6400 AAKS, i have mixed opinions on where to install the OSX and where to place the Home folder.
1-I was planning on installing OSX on the stock drive and leaving the Home folder on the new drive but i was wondering if this was the correct way of doing it. Can someone please advising on which would give my system the best performance?
2- Also if I move my home folder, does that include the Applications folder as well, so when I launch my applications they will launch from the faster drive?
What would you do if you were in my situation?
Thank You

Without knowing exactly what apps you'll be running and how you use your system, it's difficult to be precise, but generally it's better to have your OS on the better-performing drive. Hatter has posted links to various drive benchmarks, including in this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1670647&tstart=0
so you can look up tests for your two drives and see which one is the better performer, and that's where, in absence of any additional use information, I'd suggest you install the OS.
Also if I move my home folder, does that include the Applications folder as well
No. The Home folder and Applications folder are completely separate. Moving one does not move the other.

Installing OSX along with OS 9

I just got a computer with OS9 (it was given to me ). I would like to upgrade it to OSX Panther but I was wondering if I would lose all the applications that were already installed on OS9. Is there a way to have both operating systems? How does all of that work? I would like to install OSX by itself, but will do whatever to keep my old applications!
Thanks for any help!

You won't lose the OS 9 applications when you install OS X. However, the "classic" apps will not operate with OS X.
You need to check if your Mac requires a firmware (Boot ROM version) update. Mac OS X: Available firmware updates
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117 If an update is required, the update must be installed (using OS 9) BEFORE you install OS X. Before you install OS X, you need to update (free from Apple) OS 9 to 9.2.2.
You can install OS X on the same hard drive with OS 9.
Or you can create separate partitions - one for OS 9 & one for OS X. I have my G4 set up this way.
Here's the *OS 10.3 Panther requirements*
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106163
Suggest you buy the book by David Pogue - Mac OS X The Missing Manual Panther Edition.
Includes everything you need to know about installing OS X, using OS X & maintaining OS X.
 Cheers, Tom

Cant install osx 10.0 on my imac g3

Hi guys ive been trying all day to install osx 10 on my imac as i put a bigger hard drive in there and formated it useing the partition thing on the osx 10 disc after i do that i go to install but it wont pass the part where it asks where u want to install the software to but for some reason the hard drive is greyed out both my partitions are the same but i can instal mac os 9.2.1 with no problems any ideas as this is my first mac and i must say its a pain cause i cant use it at the moment

Apple Imac G3:
The problem you are experiencing is explained in the article Mac OS X: Disk Appears Dimmed (or "Grayed Out") in the Installer.
A couple of observations, if you don't mind. I note that you are trying to install OS X 10.0. I suggest that you don't even bother to install anything lesss than 10.2.2 or later. Earlier versions of OS X were essentially Beta versions, and will not perform as well. Your iMac will support up to Panther (10.3.9) natively, and with the help of XPostFacto you can install and run Tiger (10.4x). You can purchase universal installers from applerescue.
The 8 GB rule requires that you install OS X on the first 8 GB of the HDD. This can be a problem if you intend to use OS X for most of your computing needs, as you will have to have some things on a separate partition from your OS and Applications. Apparently there is a workaround that may enable you to install OS X on a larger partition. (Hold it, a minute guys!) Take a look at this thread to seek what I am talking about. Admittedly, the thread refers to a different computer, but if the WallStreet, why not an iMac?
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius

How do I upgrade my 320gb HDD to a new 750gb HDD and install OSX?

Hi all,
I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro with a 320gb HDD, and i've bought a 750gb Western Digital HDD to replace it.
How do I:
Install OSX on to the new 750gb Drive?
Move all my data from my 320gb drive to the new 750gb drive?
Any help would be greatly appreciated Cheers!

Hi John,
You would have to replace the old disk with the new disk, then you can run the Mac os X installation disk and install it on your new device (when the installation starts, you first have to format the disk in the until menu if the disk is new, otherwise the installation program does not see it)
For getting the content over to your new installation... It depends what you mean with data. I replaced my disk a while ago as well and reinstalled all software manually and only copied documents, photos etc. In that case just copy your libraries (iPhoto, iTunes, iWeb domain file (if you use it)) and documents to a separate hard disk and copy them back to your Mac after the installation.
In my eyes, the best option would be to buy an external hard disk case so that you can put your old disk in that case and use it as an external usb hard disk. That makes copying your data back much easier... And this way you can still copy files even a month later (in case you forgot something, which in my case always happens ;))
Good luck,
Nico

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

My new blank hard drive won't install OSX from the disk?

For some reason my Mac book pro won't install OS through the install cd or through the flash drives. It will load the disk but then freeze when I click install. It won't load through the USB either. I have done multiple diagnostics at the mac store and they tell me that my hd is bad. Twice the hd was fresh out of the box and installed that day. I spoke to a supervisor via phone when I called apple care and he told me that unless I have all apple parts in the computer they can't accurately diagnose the issue. It feels like they're trying to con me into paying double for a "apple hd". What can I do to get my computer working?

I would purchase an external USB enclosure for the HDD. With the HDD in the enclosure, install OSX and then mount in your MacBook. If you continue to have problems, it could be a faulty internal SATA cable.

Tried to install OSX Mavericks now MBP won't load

Hi all
Last night I tried to install OSX Mavericks on my MBP mid-2010 running Mountain Lion. It downloaded fine and then seemed to install fine. When the message came up saying it was going to restart automatically the spinning wheel hanged, which was the first problem. I switched off the MBP and turned it on again. It now refuses to boot up and stays on the Apple bootup screen with the spinning wheel.
I've tried to restart in recovery mode but this doesn't seem to work. It just goes back to the spinning wheel and there is no progress bar that pops up to indicate the recovery data is being downloaded from the net (I don't have a recovery partition).
I have a backup external hard drive that I can use to restore my MBP and then try upgrading again, but I can't use that until I get into recovery mode.
Is anyone able to help?
Thanks

Ok so I worked out how to get into recovery mode. Turns out I was doing it wrong! I used an external USB drive to access recovery mode.
I ran disk utility which identified and fixed some errors on the HD. I thought this might solve the problem but when I restarted the same problem occurred. I then restored my time machine backup which thankfully worked.
I tried installing mavericks again! Upon restarting and completing the install, I got the message 'OSX has been installed. Your computer will now restart'. After the countdown had finished I got the beach ball which span eternally again, just like last time. After about 10 mins I did a hard reset and again OSX won't load.
Lame...

Trying to install OSX.4 sys stalls when booting from dvd

I've read many of the discussions on this topic. Some are close but none are exactly like the problem I am encountering. I have a Power Mac G4 that was running OS9.2 and I've been trying to install OSX.4. I've tried every possible combination of starting from the dvd but it dones the same thing at the same point everytime. It restarts from the disk, I get the gray screen with the apple logo and the spinning wheel. It will run like this for about a minute or two and then freeze. I can't force quit and I have to restart. I thought it needed a firmware update so I checked the links (I had seen on some of the posts) but it looks like it's a machine that doesn't need one. But I'm not 100% sure how to tell.
I then went back and started with OSX and OSX.2 and they installed fine. I thought it would have to be installed progressively. But I still have the same issue. I am doing an erase and install with each upgrade. The software is a full retail version for each upgrade as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.4)
Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.4)
Power Mac G4 Mac OS X (10.4)

Hi Michel,
Be aware that you can only use an external firewire disk as boot volume since USB is not a bootable interface with MacOS X on PPC-based computers.
The message you receive is o.k. Insert the Install DVD and reboot while holding down the c-key. This will boot you directly from the CD to the installer application. Once you selected the language, select disk utility from the MENU, select your External drive and format it as "Apple Extended (Journaled)".
Quit disk utility and proceed with the installation. Make sure you select the external drive as destination!
When you have to reboot you will boot to the internal disk again. That's o.k. Open disk utility and repair the external disk and also permissions on the external. Next download and install the Mac OS X Update 10.3.9 (Combo). (you are still booted from the internal hard disk, so you will not be prompted for a restart).
Now restart and hold down the Option-key during boot. In the boot-manager you can select the external disk as boot volume. If your computer booted o.k. you made it! Just remember to Repair permissions before and after an update!
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

Installing OSX 10.4(Tiger) over OS 9.2.2 on iMac g3

Hi,
I have an old iMac G3, it had a hdd problem and I then replaced it. Then I tried to install OSX on it using my MacBook Pro's install CDs(or dvd, I don't know) but of course they don't contain the proper drivers. So I installed 9.0 then update through until 9.2.2 and updates to the latest firmware. Then I bought a genuine copy of someone I know. Now to the problem:
When I insert the disc for OSX 10.4 and try to install it hangs at various points during installation, sometimes at 'Preparing Installation', or 'agree' on the licence agreement, or during the selection of the install location. Also, I tried to start the Disk Utility. But, then again, it hangs.
I noticed that(since you can hear it quite well, no it's not broken), you hear the disc spinning and just before it hangs it slows, and stops. like when opening the disk utility or advancing too far into the process.
Please help...
P.s. Sorry for my English, I'm Dutch

Hi KoudeToaster, en een warm welkom op de forums!
What size is the Hard Drive now?
Not much you can do if you can't get to Disk Utility.
Did you make sure the Jumpers were set correc tly on the Drive?
Did you see if it needs a firmware update...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
Also, much RAM that was good enough for OS9 was broken, (not good enough), for/by OSX, and 10.2 broke more, same with 10.3 & 10.4

Remote printer is recognized but message says can't find printer? It worked great before installing OSX Maverick

Remote printer is recognized but message says can't find printer? It worked great before installing OSX Maverick?

Thank you for your response.
Unfortunately I have already rebooted the router and that did not fix the problem. The weird thing is that the computer is connected to the network, it just won't connect to my computer. I have printed the network configuration page to confirm this, and it says the wireless signal is strong.
I have not changed anything at all recently in terms of routers, networks, etc. The printer stopped working completely randomly.
Is there a part in the printer that like emits a signal which computers, phones, etc are supposed to detect? I don't know enough about the mechanics to really theorize about what is wrong, but it seems like that is the only thing that stopped working.
Do you have any other suggestions?

Installing OSX on separate HD

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