Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 2

182 points

Installing 10.6.8 on an external HD

I have an Intel iMac running 10.7.4. I would like to install Mac OS X 10.6.8 on an external HD. How would I go about doing that.😕

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4), Intel iMac 4GB RAM 500GB Hard Disk

Posted on May 29, 2012 11:34 AM

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Posted on May 29, 2012 12:28 PM

You will need to find a Mac you can use that will boot from a Snow Leopard DVD. The version on the DVD is 10.6.3. You will need a 16 GB USB flash drive that is partitioned GUID and formatted Mac OS Extended, Journaled.

The rest of this is done using the computer that can boot a Snow Leopard DVD.

Drive Preparation and Installation

1. Boot from the Snow Leopard Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.

2. After DU loads select the USB flash drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.

3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.

5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.

6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.

7. After formatting is complete quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard being careful to select the USB flash drive as the target (the installer defaults to your startup volume.)

8. Boot the computer using the USB flash drive to test that it works.

9. Download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 update to bring the Snow Leopard system to 10.6.8.

10. Again boot the computer using the USB flash drive to test that it works.

You can now use the USB flash drive to boot your computer. Then clone the USB flash drive system to the external drive you wish to use on your computer. Put the flash drive safely away in case you have to use it again.

View in context

23 replies

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

May 31, 2012 3:19 PM in response to Lefkows

It appears that you are using the same copy of Snow Leopard on two computers. You should purchase a fresh copy from the Apple Store ($29 with free shipping):

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A

When the time comes that you need to use your Install disk, you will then have one.

I'll leave the formatting issue to Kappy.

Lefkows Author

Level 2

182 points

Jun 1, 2012 6:57 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

When Apple comes out with a 10.6.8 install disk I will buy it. I should not even have to go back to an old system to run Rosetta, that is ridiculous.

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Jun 1, 2012 7:40 AM in response to Lefkows

They apparently lost their license to use Rosetta in new operating systems. It was developed by a 3rd party and is now owned by IBM. Apple cannot give what they do not have...

OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3 will be the last install disk; there will be no combo install at 10.6.8. You have to install 10.6.3 and then use Software Update repeatedly to get all of the available updates.

Not purchasing an OS X Snow Leopard Install DVD is cutting off your nose to spite Apple's face! Yes, it may seem like they owe it to you, but when you really need it, maybe it will no longer be available for sale. The same thing happened to many users who wanted Tiger install disks and waited to long to purchase one...

Lefkows Author

Level 2

182 points

Jun 1, 2012 9:22 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

I am told that Lion will not boot from a 10.6.3 Install Disk. Lion will only boot from 10.6.8.

Jun 1, 2012 9:57 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

MlchaelLAX wrote:

OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3 will be the last install disk; there will be no combo install at 10.6.8. You have to install 10.6.3 and then use Software Update repeatedly to get all of the available updates.

So what's this then; http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399 ?

Lefkowa;

You're right that no Mac that came with Lion will boot to 10.6.3 - the earliest OS they could have left the factory with is 10.6.6.

Provided the iMac is one that can boot from 10.6 (see; https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2455 ),

it should have no problem booting from 10.6.8 on an external drive.

As far as I am aware, the firmware update alluded to previously only prevents installation from a DVD; booting should be fine.

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Jun 1, 2012 12:36 PM in response to noondaywitch

noondaywitch wrote:

MlchaelLAX wrote:

OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3 will be the last install disk; there will be no combo install at 10.6.8. You have to install 10.6.3 and then use Software Update repeatedly to get all of the available updates.

So what's this then; http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399 ?...

You don't know the difference between an install and an update?

Jun 1, 2012 1:46 PM in response to MlchaelLAX

You install an update as you do a full OS.

And there is no need to update incrementally. The combo contains all previous updates.

Now if you meant there would be no retail 10.6.8 disc, that's what you should have said.

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Jun 1, 2012 1:50 PM in response to noondaywitch

I'll stand by my original statement; thank you! It didn't need your embarassing misclarification...

Installing 10.6.8 on an external HD