OEM Install Discs

Hi - quick question. I understand that OEM install discs are for use only with the original machine that they came with. I was wondering if it is possible to boot the OS onto an external drive from the native machine, and use that drive to start a different model computer? If this is possible, then is it possible to make an image of that external drive, and apply it to the drives of other computers? Essentially a work around for using OEM install discs to install an OS on a different machine type.
As a disclaimer, this is hypothetical... I understand that it breaks the license agreement. I thought of it today and would rather ask others who already know than spend hours trying it to no avail.

We could probably give you a little more guidance... but after reading your post several times... I'm not sure I actually understand what you are trying to do. Are you trying to clone one image on to multiple machines? They would all need to be the same model and version for that to work properly (exactly the same model and version). Although, I'm not clear on what you mean by "boot the OS onto an external drive". Do you mean to clone your internal drive to an external drive... and use that external drive to copy the image to other machines? That you can do (again... provided the machines are identical). I won't get into the licensing issue. If you have a family license for OS X, you can install it on up to five machines. I can see valid reasons for wanting all of those machines to start with identical configurations vs. setting up each independently. Chances are... the machines would probably have 10.5 on them anyway... so I wouldn't see an issue if you're putting an image of the same OS... but just standardized across the machines.

Similar Messages

TS1394 Where can I find Disc 3 of Mac OS 10.3.5 OEM install discs for a copy of Hardware test?

I can't imagine I don't have this disk! I have all others that shipped with PowerMac, but cannot find Disk 3. Any suggestions? Thanks for all help.

[X-Lab: The Apple Hardware Test|http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/aht.html]
Apple's AHT support - http://www.info.apple.com/support/aht.html - Apple Hardware Test Images and Information (for pre-Intel Macs, G4 and early ibook & iMac)
Here's the list and downloads for AHT if you have an old G4...
http://www.info.apple.com/support/aht.html
Note:
No AHT available for Sawtooth, try TechToolPro instead.
Some discs require you to use the Option key at bootup to select AHT. Some models have a separate AHT CD.

Installing over Target Disk Mode using Grey (OEM-type) Discs

I have a set of Tiger grey install discs labeled for use with a Power Mac G5. I would like to use them to upgrade our eMac, but they obviously don't allow this. I have some family who own a G5, and was wondering if it would be possible to connect the eMac to their computer under Target Disk Mode, then install on the eMac by running the installation on the G5. Anyone have any experience trying something smilar?
I know some will probably say doing this would be a violation of the EULA, but I have looked through the license agreement that came with the discs and haven't seen anything that would prohibit such an installation. It is my understanding that starting with version 10.4.4 of OS X, Apple added a clause to the EULA stating that the grey install discs were only permitted for use with the computer they originally shipped with, but prior to this there were no such prohibitions (these discs are labelled as version 10.4.2).
Thanks for any help

Hi sjpetrick, and a warm welcome to the forums!
Physically that would work to install, BUT whether the iMac will Boot/Run thinking it's a G5 is questionable, and even if it does boot, It won't have some needed drivers for the eMac.

Can't Boot From Install Disc 1 ?

Holding down "C" at Start Up isn't working.
Most of the time I can't get Preferences > Start-Up to even "see" my Disc 1.
When I can get it to show up in Start-Up, and Select it, and Lock it ... it Still Won't Start Up from the Install Disc 1 ... and in fact usually ejects the disc.
Sometimes when I re-push in the disc, I get the message that a Blank Disc has been detected, "what do you want to do with it."
But, it shows up in Disc Utility, and when I run Verify Disc, it all looks good?!
The Disc has Mac OS version 10.4.8 on it. I'm running 10.5.7. I'm all up to date with my software.
Yesterday I ran the latest version of Disc Warrior. When I run TechTools 4.0 it seems to get stuck running Files. When I run Repair Permissions from Disc Utilities, it shows a fairly massive amount of issues. Running it over and over again doesn't seem to make any difference.
I WANT to run my Install Disc so I can run Repair Disc from Disc Utility ... because I'm having a number of issues ... and I seem to get the spinning rainbow a lot.
SUGGESTIONS ?! ... thanks ...

Disk Utility that can repair a 10.5.7 permissions is only found on the Leopard installer disc. Tiger can't repair Leopard when it comes to permissions, and may also have difficulty with the directory.
Secondly, if your MacBook Pro was purchased after October 26, 2007, it can't boot from any Tiger disc.
If your MacBook Pro was purchased prior, you can use the disk, but you'll want to follow these directions for hardware diagnostics:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303081
Only if your MacBook Pro has Tiger installed, should you use Tiger for the directory or permissions*:
http://www.macmaps.com/directoryfaq.html
Macs can only boot from the operating system that shipped with them, and newer retail operating systems. This means:
1. pre-October 1st, 2007 MacBook Pros can boot off:
- - the discs that shipped with them
- - retail 10.5 discs which look like * that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM.
2. October 1st through October 25, 2007 can do #1, and also use Upgrade and DropIn discs. Those disks were offered as a limited time mail order Up to date program, some were dropped in the box that came with them.
3. October 26th through November 14, 2007 can boot off the discs that came with them, and retail 10.5.1, 10.5.4, and 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
4. November 15, 2007 through June 29, 2008 can boot off the discs that came with them, and the retail 10.5.4, and 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
5. June 30, 2008 through December 14, 2008 can boot off the discs that came with them, and the retail 10.5.6 discs that do not say Upgrade, DropIn, or OEM, and have a label like the image above.
6. December 15, 2008 and later MacBook Pros can only boot off the discs that came with them.
Presumably when Snow Leopard comes out in September, all of the above will be able to use Snow Leopard because of the specs on http://www.apple.com/macosx/specs.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
Message was edited by: a brody

Mac Pro 5,1 install disc

Where can I get a copy of the install disc for a 2010 2.93ghz machine (Mac Pro 5,1)? Mine is destroyed.

Call Apple 800 # and they can replace OEM DVD for nominal fee.

Creating a Win7 OS install disc via recovery tools?

Is there any way to clean install Win7 (that is, nothing but the OS) from the Lenovo recovery discs I made via the ThinkVantage tool, or is it limited to a full factory-fresh restore only?
If that's the case, is it possible to create a Win7-only install disc from the recovery partition?
TIA

From what I know, you will need ImageUltra Builder tool installed to do this. The trial version can be downloaded from Lenovo/IBM website. TVT R&R OS installation files were created by this tool. The OEM/CTO build was prepared by Lenovo's ITC team.
However, if you want to do this yourself, I would recommend you to use a Microsoft tool called Windows7-USB-DVD-tool. This tool can automatically expand ISO OS installation file to USB flash memory cards or a DVD. More importantly, it's bootable. You can install WIN7 directly from USB flash memory or a backup DVD.
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-7-Launch/Installing-windows-7-from-a-USB-Drive-Suitable-for-netb...

Mac OS X install disc not installing drivers in Windows 7

So I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate OEM 32 bit, and everything went (relatively) smoothly...
The problem is that now I'm at the desktop and when I insert the Mac OS X install disc, I am not able to install drivers. Instead, I am prompted to either "remote install Mac OS X" on my MacBook Air or install DVD and CD Sharing on my MacBook Air. I don't own a MacBook Air nor have I ever used either the Windows 7 install DVD or the Mac OS X install DVD on a MacBook Air. What's going on, and how else can I install the proper drivers? Also, please note that I used the Mac OS X install disc to install drivers for Windows XP previously. Long story short, that installation expired (lost my CD key) so I had to start over with Windows 7. I know the drivers are there, why aren't they working?

Sorry to state the obvious first, is it a Snow Leopard DVD?
You can always browse the DVD to the correct folder for the drivers.

Windows fresh oem install

Hi, so basically i need a oem windows 8 iso to install on my laptop (hp 15-n278sa) which uses the encrypted product key key on bios. Any help/guide throughs would be much apreciated as i have never done a oem install before.

Hi there @JacobMarrinan
Welcome to the HP Support Forums! It is a great place to find the help you need, both from other users, HP experts and other support personnel.
In answer to your request for an OEM Windows installation disk for your 15-n278sa, you can look at getting a set of recovery disks for Windows 8.1 as you will need a licensed copy of the operating system. Alternatively you can get a retail copy.
What operating system is currently installed on your system?
Assuming it has not been deleted, you should also have a recovery partition with an image of your factory installation. This will be the operating system you had on purchase of the notebook. To do this sort of reinstall, take a look at the following:
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 8)
Troubleshooting HP System Recovery Problems (Windows 8)
If the partition is not there, then you can get recovery media for your sytem by following these instructions:
Obtaining HP Recovery Discs or an HP USB Recovery Drive
Let me know if this helps.
Malygris1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click Accept as Solution if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click Kudos Thumbs Up on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Mixed up my install discs! Help!

I have a 12" PB 1.5 and an iMac G5 20" 2.1.
Each has 2 install discs. The 1st disc in each case is clear (saying PB or iMac) , but the other 2 discs just say Install disc 2. In moving my stuff around I put all the discs (in their cases) together, and now don't know which Install Disc 2 belongs to which Mac.
The 2 Macs come with different apps etc, so I would not want to mix them up. Trying to look at the contents does not seem to help - there is only an installer visible.
The only other visible difference on the actual discs is a serial number, different on each. Does anyone have any idea how I can tell them apart?
Thanks in advance!

Okay, glad you got it sorted. But if those are the gray OEM disks, they should say?
Anyway ,all this then got me looking for my OEM disks for this Intel iMac and they seem to have "vanished mysteriously". Must hunt furiously all over the house now
-mj
[email protected]

Which gray install discs go with which G4?

Good afternoon.
I have ended up with multiple gray install disc packages for my various G4 desktops.
Is there a chart somewhere that will tell me which set of discs goes with which G4 model?
Thanks for your time.

Hi, Bruce -
Specific info I have available -
G4 (AGP) - Software Install (OS 9.0/9.0.4) - 691-2657-A
G4 (AGP) - Software Restore (OS 9.0/9.0.4) - 691-2656-A
Note - early G4 (AGP) models came with OS 8.6
G4 (DA) - Software Install (OS 9.1, model-specific) - 691-2985-A
G4 (DA) - Software Restore (OS 9.1, model-specific) - 691-2986-A
The above p/n's are for the NA English versions.
General -
G4 (PCI) - came with OS 8.6
G4 (GE) - came with OS 9.0.4
For later model G4s, suggest you get MacTracker, which provides an excellent database of info about the various Mac models, including the original OS versions that came with them. You can download the last version for OS 9 here -
Mactracker {this is a direct download link; the file size is about 8.4MB}
<hr>
OS 9 retail disk utilizations -
G4 (PCI) and (AGP) - any
G4 (GE) - possibly OS 9.0.4, certainly OS 9.1 and OS 9.2.1
G4 (DA) - OS 9.2.1 only
G4 QuickSilver '01 - OS 9.2.1 only
All later G4s can use only their OEM disk sets in order to install a bootable OS 9 (on those models which are OS 9-bootable, of course).

Non-OEM install disk?

What is a non-OEM install disk? I have various problems withmy computer and someone suggested I use this to do a repair install, though I'm not sure I know what that is or whether I have one.

Something which did not come with your computer, A retail version to be precise. Windows 7 has a feature which allows you to make a repair disc which will allow you to use its recovery tools just like the non-OEM disk.
follow the below given steps in your computer and you should have one
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/Create-a-system-repair-disc
Hope this helps you out
Cheers and regards,
• » νιנαｿѕαяα∂нι ѕαмανє∂αм ™ « •
●๋•کáŕádhí'ک díáŕý ツ
I am a volunteer here. I don't work for Lenovo

Making a USB install disc for macbook air using a windows PC!

Ok i have an iMac and a macbook air, so this guide here seems good for me right?
How to Create a Mac Snow Leopard USB Installer Disk
The problem I've got is that my iMac superdrive is skewed, it just won't read anything (disc is new etc but the drive won't work with pretty much ANY disc at all, and i mean any, just spits them out after a few seconds of trying to read it).
Anyways, can this process as described in the URL above be done using a windows based pc? i also have one as a media centre in my room and it has a working dvd drive..... if so what do i need to do? this is driving me insane! i cannot afford an external superdrive or any other external drives at the moment nor is the iMac in warranty and nor do i have the ability to take it anywhere.

Its a long one to explain but the superdrive in the imac works when it wants, and fortuantly last time it worked with the OSX disc that came with the imac! amazing, i made the usb installer and then when booted with macbook air it stated it cannot be installed. I did a little digging and discovered that it was because the imac came with one of those grey OEM discs and are not able to transpose to another machine at all, this is officially from apple and what others have used, hence my need to then get a full snow leopord disc.
The disc however unlike the other OSX grey one will not read at all
also what i mean is can i use the drive from the windows machine to make the usb install disc not using windows itself....?

HT201456 I have tried to install Windows 8.1 64 on my new Mac Book Pro from a full install disc.

I have tried to install Windows 8.1 64 on my new Mac Book Pro from a full install disc. When I get the the choice of partitions to install Windows 8.1 on the Windows installer says that the Bootcamp partition is not valid.
Has anyone encountered the same issue?

BCA creates the partition as FAT, which the installer needs to format.
Please see https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/mac/5.0/help/#/bcmp173b3bf2 for reference. Where does it break in your case?

Creating a bootable Lion install disc/disk and using it

Hi all,
Below is a copy of a method ds store posted for creating a bootable Lion install disc. Some questions:
1. Is this a polished final version of the process, or are there other steps which could/should be added?
2. Are there any disadvantages to going this route instead of installing directly onto a Mac?
3. After creating a Lion install disc/disk via this method and using this saved dmg to install Lion on a Mac, will it set up the Mac exactly the same way it would by downloading/installing directly from the Apple Store (sounds like a "duh" question, but nothing would surprise me with Lion)?
4. Exact size of this dmg (in case I want to use a flash drive instead)?
I have been avoiding Lion, hoping it would shape up. I'm still not satisfied and will not run it on my main machines. (Of course ymmv; I'm not looking to be talked into or out of using Lion.) However, I am ******* (hmmm, I guess l-u-s-t-i-n-g is a bad word!) over a new Mac Mini, which will have Lion installed, with no chance of running SL on it due to the new hardware revision. Thus, I'm either going to have to make peace with Lion or forget about a new Mini. I guess I'll have to give Lion a try, but I still don't want to actually run it on any of my machines; thus, I want to run it from an external drive, playing with it as I have time/desire, leading to more questions.
5. Using the install disc/disk created above, will it set up Lion on a DVD, flash drive, or external HD exactly as it would on a Mac (Recovery Disk, etc.)?
6. How much space is needed on a destination disc/disk to install Lion?
7. Is it possible to boot from a different volume, mount this dmg, and install Lion from it?
8. Any advantages/disadvantages doing it this way (#7) as opposed to booting from the Lion install disc/disk created above?
9. Another method I'm thinking of using is to (after cloning my SL installation) actually install Lion on my MBP over my current SL installation (shudders violently ), clone it to an external HD, then erase/zero the MBP's HD and clone my SL install back to my MBP. Has anyone done this? Again, I'm concerned that Lion will do something goofy and leave some kind of footprint behind, like maybe messing with firmware; cloning my SL installation back to my internal HD would not reverse a firmware change.
10. Any constructive suggestions on anything related to any of these steps is welcome!
Yes, I've searched and read a number of responses, but I'm hoping much of the "discovery" phase is over, and there are some "solid"/refined answers by now. My bottom line is to be able to play with Lion without having to depend on it.
Thanks!
Backup Lion Bootable 10.7 Disk
Purchase and download Lion from the Mac App Store on any Lion compatible Mac running Snow Leopard.
Right click on “Mac OS X     Lion”     installer and choose the option to     “Show Package Contents.”
Inside the Contents folder     that     appears you will find a SharedSupport     folder and inside the     SharedSupport folder     you will find the “InstallESD.dmg.” This is         the Lion boot disc image we have all been waiting for.
Copy “InstallESD.dmg” to         another folder like the Desktop.
Launch Disk Utility and click     the     burn button.
Select the copied “InstallESD.dmg” as the image to     burn,     insert a standard sized 4.7 GB DVD,     and wait for your new Lion Boot     Disc to come     out toasty hot.
With this disc you can boot any Lion compatible Mac, andinstall10.7 just like you installed previous version of Mac OS X. Youcan even use Disk Utility's Restore function to image your Lion bootdisc image onto a external drive suitable for performing a cleaninstall on a optical-drive-less MacBook Air, or Mac mini server.

tjk wrote:
5. Using the install disc/disk created above, will it set up Lion on a DVD, flash drive, or external HD exactly as it would on a Mac (Recovery Disk, etc.)?
DVD: no, flash drive: if it's large enough, external hard drive: yes
6. How much space is needed on a destination disc/disk to install Lion?
Whatever Apple minimum requirements are.
7. Is it possible to boot from a different volume, mount this dmg, and install Lion from it?
possibly, never tried it, it is a dmg so it's a volume all to itself, except it can't install to the same media it's on and can only install to something formatted with GUID and a OS X extended format, like a flash drive or hard drive large enough.
DVD's can't be formatted with a GUID EFI partiton
8. Any advantages/disadvantages doing it this way (#7) as opposed to booting from the Lion install disc/disk created above?
Speed limitation of the media and bus your using, USB 1 is a slower than a hard drive with 7,200 RPM on a Firewire 800 port
9. Another method I'm thinking of using is to (after cloning my SL installation) actually install Lion on my MBP over my current SL installation (shudders violently ), clone it to an external HD, then erase/zero the MBP's HD and clone my SL install back to my MBP.
The problems come from installing Lion over a existing Snow Leopard setup that isn't quite pristine enough for Lions quirkyness, has tweaks or other software installed that breaks 10.7, requiring you to fix it.
You can try it, you've got the 10.6 clone to option boot off of and restore from.
Cloning back and forth is a performance enhancer, not a problem solver.
Ideally it's best to clone 10.6, disconnect, zero and install 10.6, same user name, then up to 10.6.8, then to 10.7, then install programs from fresh sources/copies and then files returned last from backup off the clone (no migration assistant or it brings trouble back)
This will ensure the best possible performance possible with the least trouble as everything is wiped and installed fresh. Only problem being your files it there is something wrong with them, which is easy to remedy to the cause as it's the only thing not pristine.
Once you've got a pristine system, then clone that twice, once for a immediate update other for falling back a week, two weeks or even a month back.
Has anyone done this? Again, I'm concerned that Lion will do something goofy and leave some kind of footprint behind, like maybe messing with firmware; cloning my SL installation back to my internal HD would not reverse a firmware change.
Firmware is hardware specific not OS specific, of course it's possible a old version of a OS won't work with newer firmware, like 10.5 for instance perhaps because Apple has dropped all work on PPC code.
10.6 and 10.7 are just fine with most all present firmware, however there will be a time where a new firmware update could disallow 10.6, likely when iOS X 10.8 Bobcat arrives.
10. Any constructive suggestions on anything related to any of these steps is welcome!
Yes, I've searched and read a number of responses, but I'm hoping much of the "discovery" phase is over, and there are some "solid"/refined answers by now. My bottom line is to be able to play with Lion without having to depend on it.
Cloning only clones the Lion OS X Partition, not the Lion Recovery Partition.
A comptuer that is Lion capable will boot off a media with no Lion Recovery Partition.
You need to create a Lion Disk Assistant USB which copies your Lion Recovery Partition.
It's in my post.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

How to install Lion OSX on new SSD without install disc

TL;DR
I need a way to install Lion on a new SSD without an install disc, and how to format it without a Mac.
Hello, just yesterday I opened up my MBP 13" Mid-2010 running 10.7.(4/5) (Not sure which it is, but I think it is 10.7.5) and the first thing I saw was Skype tring to sign in. It looked fine, untill I took a second look and I heard a strange clicking noise coming from my computer. The Sykpe signin page said "Disc I/O error" or something like that. I instantly knew there was something wrong with my hard drive. Tried rebooting, grey screen, strange clicking noise like most people with hard drive failure. I was devistated. It has worked minutes ago, then my brother gets off, I open it up,and the hard drive has failed. After I got over the initial shock, I googled "hard drive replacement" after searching for a while, I noticed most sites just showed how to UPGRADE your hard drive, cloning it and all. Well, heres my main problem. I had no time to clone. Luckily, I had started backup up a month ago, and all my data is safe on my external hard drive, but this is only a time machine backup. No OS. Now, most people can just put in their install disk and voila! But, I, sadly, do not have my install disk. No idea where it went, I just don't have it. So, I was wondering if there was any possible way to make a bootable USB or disk without having acsess to a Mac, or having to buy a disc. I bought Lion, and I'm hoping that there is a way to download this and put it on a USB, then boot my computer from it. Now, my second problem is formatting. I have no idea how to format my SSD, let alone without a Mac. If there is some way to format an SSD so that it will work with a MacBook Pro, that would be great.on a PC
IMPORTANT: No, I don't have ANY install discs, the only one I had, for Snow Leopard, is gone. And no, I don't have access to ANY Macs to format the SSD. Finally, I would really love to be able to do this all cost-free, as I have already purchased the Lion, and dont feel like buying a disc for it again.

Yes. See below:
Drive Erase for Lion/Mountain Lion
1. Wait until the Main Menu appears. This could take quite some time because you are doing all of this over an Internet connection. You should use Ethernet if possible. It's much faster than wireless. Select Disk Utility from the Main Menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select the SSD main entry (mfgr.'s ID and size.) Click on the Partition tab in DU's main window. Select One partition from the dropdown menu under Partition Scheme.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
After the above has completed quit DU and return to the Main Menu. Click on the Install/Reinstall OS X option then click on the Continue button.
You should be all set if there are no glitches.

OEM Install Discs

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for