HT202328: System requirements for OS X Lion and Mac OS X v10.6

Learn about System requirements for OS X Lion and Mac OS X v10.6
A Jay

Q: Install mac os x 10.7 on  an external hard drive?

I have a Mac Mini running OS 10.10.1. I have a few applications that have not been updated by their developers for compatibility with the latest OS X. Only solution would be to use a separate external HD with an earlier OS installed on it. I have the DVD install discs up to 10.6 that I used with my older Mac Mini model but have since then upgraded to the latest model. Problem is that I don't have a DVD drive in my Mac Mini. In my App Store there is a download option for Lion OS 10.7 but I can't download it because it won't let me. Is there any way to do this? I used to have a setup where I was operating 2 different OS.., one was on my main HD and the other external.


Thanks

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Nov 26, 2014 6:13 PM

Close

Q: Install mac os x 10.7 on  an external hard drive?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Nov 26, 2014 6:19 PM in response to A Jay
    Level 9 (58,461 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Nov 26, 2014 6:19 PM in response to A Jay

    A Mac will not run a version of OS X than what was originally installed on the machine when it shipped from Apple. However there is a work around, you can buy Parallels or VM Ware Fusion and run the earlier version side by side with the current version in Virtualization.

  • by A Jay,

    A Jay A Jay Nov 26, 2014 9:36 PM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (29 points)
    Audio
    Nov 26, 2014 9:36 PM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thank you so much for your response. My Mac Mini is a late 2012 model. I don't recall what OS it came installed with. Here's what I do know. There were some applications that never had an issue with until I upgraded to Mavericks. Then I eventually upgraded to Yosemite only to have a few more applications suddenly be incompatible. Most are games.

    It is a catch 22 situation because since I upgraded to Yosemite I am now using its new features as well as applications that were developed to work exclusively with this OS. So downgraded to an earlier OS is not an option. My only option is to install the latest OS (prior to Mavericks) on an external HD. I know that it is possible to have separate OS's installed on multiple drives/partitions because I've had this set up before. I had 2 external HD's and one was divided into 2 partitions. One partition had an identical copy of the latest OS which I used as an alternative start up disc and the other partition had a previous OS installed on it. Even then I had certain applications that were incompatible with the latest OS. In order to use these apps I would have to select the partition with the earlier OS as my startup disc and then restart my computer. I was constantly changing startup discs and the restarting between 2 OS's on a regular basis so I know that it's possible.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Nov 27, 2014 1:35 AM in response to A Jay
    Level 10 (188,776 points)
    Desktops
    Nov 27, 2014 1:35 AM in response to A Jay

    The 2012 originally shipped with Mountain Lion (10.8). 10.7 will not install except as a virtual machine on top of Yosememite

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Nov 27, 2014 7:06 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 9 (58,461 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Nov 27, 2014 7:06 AM in response to lllaass

    Correct, as I mentioned above.

  • by Király,

    Király Király Nov 30, 2014 9:42 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 6 (9,812 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 30, 2014 9:42 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    Unfortunately 10.7 is only licensed to be run in a virtual machine if the host computer is also running 10.7. It is a violation of the SLA to run 10.7 in a virtual machine on a Mac running 10.10, or anything other than 10.7.

     

    If the OP wants to run 10.7, he simply cannot with his current hardware. The only legal way is for him to buy an older Mac that can run it.