kmosx3: Installing Panther - Mac OS X v10.3

Mac OS X v. 10.3 Panther is, at time of writing, the latest release of Apple's UNIX-based operating system. It brings more that 150 new features to your desktop, while allowing you to use the latest available technologies.

Like its predecessors, Panther is easy to install. However, like any operating system, it has to be installed in the right way. Since Mac OS X is very stable, you may use your installation for months or years without re-installing it... Therefore, you may want to make sure that you make the best start possible.

The goal of this article is to guide you through the installation process, step-by-step and to give you tips. It does not replace reading the booklet that comes in the box and that contains lots of useful information about Mac OS X and your computer.

Before we start

In this article, we will clean-install Mac OS X : this means initializing your hard drive before installing a full version of the operating system.

While this may take a little longer than simply upgrading your existing installation, this is the best way to make sure that you will enjoy a rock-solid operating system and that no errors left from the past months can get in your way with Panther.

Also, we won't re-install Mac OS 9. Why ? Because Mac OS X is full-featured and because most users do not need it any more. We feel it really is time to move to a Mac OS X only installation and encourage you to upgrade your existing applications if needed.

Before reading further, make sure that you have the 3 retail full-install CDs. Would you have other CDs, you may have to slightly adapt the installation process. Owners of the "Upgrade-only" CDs do not want to use Disk Utility to initialize their hard drives as described in step 3. Instead, they should use the "Erase and Install" option, described in step 5.

Do not attempt to use installation disks that came with another computer. These disks may contain some hardware-specific files that may raise stability issues.

1. Backup your data

Since we will erase the contents of the hard drive, now would be a good time to perform a last backup. In order to do so, you can save your files on CD-Rs or DVD-Rs. Would you have a .Mac account, you can use your iDisk, either manually or with the Backup application.

Before going to the next step, test your backup : make sure that you still have all the applications that you need to open your files and that no file is corrupted. Also, check them with an updated anti-virus software : you wouldn't want to bring viruses into your brand new installation, would you ?

2. Preparing your computer

Before installing Mac OS X on your computer, you should make sure that it meets the system requirements.

Would it not be the case, do not try to install Mac OS X but upgrade your computer first - i.e. have RAM installed, a larger hard drive... Hardware updates should be performed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Then, make sure that your peripherals and applications will work under Panther. This really should be the case but, would you rely exclusively on one specific technology, you may want to check with the authors, for additional security.

Would you have installed any non-Apple components in your computer, like video or modem cards, their firmware may need to be updated. Updating a firmware is easy to do but shouldn't be skipped if necessary : just ask the authors.

The last step before inserting the installation CDs may be to upgrade your computer's firmware. Browse the Knowledge Base and download the updaters if this step is required for your computer. The best keywords are

Note : Contrary to popular belief, failure to upgrading the firmware is unlikely to cause severe hardware damage. However, it may cause your computer to behave in the most unexpected way - screen stays black, for exemple... - and should not be skipped !

Would you still have questions about Panther, just check this page : it provides links that should answer all your questions !

3. Begining the installation process

Before beginning the installation process, disconnect any non-Apple peripherals from your computer, including, but not limited to, external hard drives. This is not due to a limitation or an issue with Mac OS X but will allow the software and hardware tests to take place normally and will globally speed the process up. You can re-connect your peripherals once the installation and setup are done.
To begin the installation process, insert the Mac OS X Install CD 1 in your computer and double-click on the application called "Install Mac OS X". It will take care of restarting your computer.

Don't worry if the startup process takes some time at this stage of the installation ! Everything is going well !

In a few seconds, you should see a screen that asks you to "choose a language". Stop here and do not pick one.

Instead, use the "Installer" menu in order to open the "Disk Utility". The Disk Utility is a powerful application that allows you to repair, partition and initialize your hard drive.

Select the hard drive on which you want to install Panther in the column that appears on the left. Then, switch to the "Erase" tab and initialize it by clicking on the "Erase" button.

The format should be "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". Do not choose any other format unless you are an experienced user and know what you are doing ! Mac OS X is a UNIX-based OS but does not require you to pick the UFS file format !

Once your hard drive is initialized, it contains no information and is perfectly "clean" : this provides us with the guaranty that no remaining filesystem issue may interfere with the installation process.

Finally, quit the Disk Utility by using the "Disk Utility" menu to get back to the installer.

Note : Owners of the early iMac, PowerBook and PowerMac models should have a look at this Knowledge Document before going further.

4. Setting up the installation

You will now have to choose a language. Note that the language that you choose at this stage of the process will be used as the primary language during the installation process. This does not prevent you from installing additional languages or from using another one later.

Click on the language you want to read and then on "Continue" twice.

The next two pages are very important : these are the traditional "Read me" file and the Software License Agreement. Read them carefully and click on "Continue" to go to the next step.

5. Setting up your options

You will then have to pick a hard drive on which to install Panther. Simply select the one you initialized earlier in the process.

For additional security, you can click on "Options..." and pick "Erase and Install". This is not really needed since we already initialized the hard drive but selecting it is one of our installation idiosyncrasies.

6. Customizing the installation

Now that you have selected the volumes, you could simply go ahead and click on "Install". However, the resulting default installation will probably contain much more files than you need.

Although this doesn't raise the slightest stability issue, it may slow down anti-virus software that check your hard drive file-by-file or backup applications that will try to copy every single Spanish or Chinese localization file, even if you don't speak Spanish or Chinese.

To avoid this, you may want to click on the "Customize" button before launching the installation. The window will change and will ask you precisely what you want to install.

Here are our recommendations :

• Essential System Software :

  This you cannot uncheck and shouldn't : without these files, your computer couldn't work at all.
  

• BSD Subsystem :

  This option installs some additional UNIX commands and files on your installation. Do not uncheck it, even if you are not a UNIX user at all since many Apple or third-party applications rely on it. It won't bother you at all if you install it but it could if you don't.
  

• Additional Applications :

  Under this boring-looking category are Apple's iApps and some other very useful utilities. We would recommend that you leave everything checked - unless you don't want to install Internet Explorer on your hard drive. In that case, click on the disclosure triangle and uncheck the line that reads "Internet Explorer".
  

• Printer drivers :

  Printer drivers are very heavy to install. We would recommend that you only install Gimp-Print drivers and the one corresponding to the brand of your printer. Would you work in different offices or plan to change your printer in the coming months, check more boxes.
  

  Pay particular attention with the Epson drivers and check if you should install the first or second set. To see the contents of each set, click on its name - not the checkbox that's next to it.

  
  

• Additional Speech voices :

  We love the Speech technology and the new voices included with Panther really do sound natural. Would you not use it, you may want to uncheck this box, though.
  

• Fonts :

  While fonts are essential for your computer, you may never use the foreign languages that require these additional fonts. Feel free to uncheck them if you are sure that you will never have to use them.
  

• Language translations :

  Mac OS X can be used in many languages and installing all the translations adds 695 MB to the installation... Plus, it adds many files that may slow down some applications like Virex. Simply uncheck the languages that you won't need.
  

  Note that these are interface translations - i.e. if you want your computer to interact with you in non-English languages. This does not impair your ability to use the multilingual spell checker.

  
  

• X 11 :

  X11 is a windowing technology used in the UNIX world. Most open-source projects that work on Mac OS X rely on this technology to draw windows on your screen. Would you be interested by some open source applications, even if you do not plan to install them right now, we would recommend that you check it. Unless you wake it up, X11 won't bother you at all but it will be here if you decide to install applications like OpenOffice.org or GIMP.

When you are ready, click on the "Install" button to install Panther on your hard drive.

7. The installation process in itself

The Panther installer begins by checking your hard drive and by making sure that it is in good shape to receive the operating system. Although you can skip this check, we wouldn't recommend it : it doesn't take long and provides you with an extra layer of security.

Then, follow the onscreen instructions. At the end of the first installation step, your computer will restart automatically and ask you for the second disk. Then, it will ask you for the third one.

There is nothing special to say about the installation in itself. Just read the screen carefully, give your Mac the disks it wants and everything will be fine.

Note : Although the Panther installations requires a third CD, it goes in fact a lot faster than the Jaguar one !

8. Once the installation is finished

Once the installation is completed, the installer will quit automatically and the setup assistant will guide you through the steps necessary to install Mac OS X.

Answer the questions carefully : most of your answers can be changed later but why doing the same thing twice ?

In most countries, the assistant will help you to find an internet access if you don't have one. You may also want to open a trial .Mac account to see what it's like...

Here is a tip about the assistant, though : when it asks you for a short user name, it tries to guess a name that you would like, based on your real one. If the guess is longer than 5 characters, change it to something shorter. Note that you will not be able to change it later - at least, not easily.

Also, please, do register your product with Apple : would you have to call them later for assistance, this will make the process a lot easier. Alternatively, you can use this link to register it.

Once the setup process is completed, Software Update should start and allow you to update your computer and install the latest security updates, if applicable. Would it not be the case, use the "System Preferences" application to launch it.

You may also want to have a look here : this page provides important security information.

Conclusion

Mac OS X v. 10.3 Panther is an easy-to-use, easy-to-install, powerful operating system and you should be able to enjoy a rock-solid installation for months.

Keep in mind that you can call Apple for assistance for a period of time after your purchase. More information about this, along with the number, can be found on the documentation that comes with Mac OS X.

Would you want to get some community-powered help, you may want to check the Apple Care discussion forums where you will find many experienced Mac OS X users.

Although Mac OS X is very easy to learn, beginners may want to have a look at this page : it provides links to interesting resources. Just make sure that you buy the 10.3 version of the book !

Last advice : read the online help. The new Panther Help Center has been greatly enhanced and provides you with easy-to-follow steps. It also features a list of the most commonly asked questions, along with answers. Since it is at your fingertips, read it before posting on forums or calling Apple : you will get your answer more quickly and more easily.