kmosx: Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs

by: ali brown

Last modified: Mar 7, 2021 3:11 PM

1 1209 Last modified Mar 7, 2021 3:11 PM

Disclaimer: Apple does not necessarily endorse any suggestions, solutions, or third-party software products that may be mentioned in the topic below. Apple encourages you to first seek a solution at Apple Support. The following links are provided as is, with no guarantee of the effectiveness or reliability of the information. Apple does not guarantee that these links will be maintained or functional at any given time. Use the information below at your own discretion.

Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs

The question of using system/software install CDs/DVDs on more than one machine is frequently asked.

So, FYI:

System software installation CDs/DVDs, that come with a particular Mac model, are hardware specific to that model, and not intended to be used on other Mac models. For instance, the CDs/DVDs that are shipped with an iMac are not to be used on an iBook or eMac.
And the "Tiger" DVDs that are shipped with any new Mac, also are not to be used on other Mac models.

If such an installation were possible, or somehow accomplished successfully, that action would constitute a violation of your license agreement, which limits installation to a single computer.

The "Single User Software License Agreement" can be found here Software License Agreement.

Similarly, any "Upgrade" CDs/DVDs for a particular Mac OS will ONLY work for that Mac & system. For example, if a new Mac that shipped with Jaguar/Panther, was purchased shortly before the release of Panther/Tiger, the user may have purchased "Upgrade" CDs/DVDs, for a lesser price than the full install set. These CDs/DVDs do not contain all of the necessary components for an independent installation of Panther or Tiger.

The license agreement applies to single user retail versions of system software. The "Panther" or "Tiger" boxed set, for example.

ali b

Do you want to provide feedback on this User Contributed Tip or contribute your own? If you have achieved Level 2 status, visit the User Tips Library Contributions forum for more information.