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    Installing OS X on an external HD

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by count_schemula, May 1, 2007.

  1. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

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    A co-worker just got a 17" MBP, and we want to install OS X on an external HD so we have a way to boot the MBP should something nasty happen.

    Is it as straight forward as simply installing OS X on the external? We'd prolly not install any languages or printer drivers to keep the size down somewhat.
     
    count_schemula, May 1, 2007
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  2. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    I don't think that would be necessarily, if at all possible. You can just connect the MBP to another Mac and mount it as a firewire drive should something nasty happen.
     
    Budding, May 1, 2007
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  3. count_schemula

    count_schemula Notebook Deity

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    I almost positive you can install OS X to an external HD.

    The only thing I can see if if the OS disc wants to see a certain model of computer, and of course, the HD would not be a model.

    ie you might need a generic retail copy of OS X to pull this off.

    I think the included OS X when you buy a Mac is kind of tied to that model of machine?
     
    count_schemula, May 1, 2007
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  4. zadillo

    zadillo Notebook Virtuoso

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    It is possible, but I believe you need to select some options when installing OS X on the Internal drive..... some of the confusion is that the Intel switch caused a change in how external boot drives work (so you can create an external drive that will boot an Intel-based Mac or a PPC-based Mac, but not both).

    If you google around though I believe there are a few guides to specifically what you need to do.
     
    zadillo, May 1, 2007
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  5. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    The easiest way to do this would be to make an image of your existing drive using something like SuperDuper! It will make a bit for bit bootable image. There is no way to buy a retail copy of OS X currently that will run on an Intel Mac either since the shrinkwrapped version is not Universal.
     
    cashmonee, May 1, 2007
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  6. Starlight

    Starlight Notebook Evangelist

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    10.4 has support to boot from external USB2 drives, where previously only Firewire drives were supported.

    You can just boot up from the install disc and choose the external disc as the install volume for a clean install, or you can make an image of your existing drive like cashmonee said. If the partition is purely for having a boot disk around, I'd say install it from the install disc to have a known-good system. But having a backup that you can boot from also is of course good :) Your choice really.
     
    Starlight, May 2, 2007
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