Install Mavericks on a second drive

Question

Level 1

22 points

Install Mavericks on a second drive

I have Mac OSX Mavericks installed on the current system drive "Mac Daddy SSD".

Now I want to install Mavericks on the brand new drive "Big Mac Daddy". It seems like I'm supposed to install Mountain Lion on the new drive before I can start installing Mavericks, right? I do this by booting while pressing CMD + R.

It doesn't work. What am I missing here?

I have created a bootable USB with Mavericks on as well, but I'm not sure how to use it.

Mac Pro, Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier

Posted on Oct 26, 2013 12:31 PM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Oct 26, 2013 1:12 PM in response to Lobsterass

Try inserting the bootable USB, then restart holding down the option/alt key, boot using the USB, and then install from there.

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Answer 2

Lobsterass Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 26, 2013 1:17 PM in response to Eric Root

I've tried restarting holding down Option. It doesn't let me boot from The Mountain Lion recovery USB.

I'm thinking I can't boot from the Mountain Lion Recovery because I was stupid enough to install Mavericks on my current drive, Mac Daddy SSD, first. ?

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Answer 3

Miska_FL

Level 2

390 points

Oct 26, 2013 1:23 PM in response to Lobsterass

Not sure what OS your unit came with but if it came with Mountain Lion just start from Internet Recovery (command + option +r) and then you should be able to install it on any hard drive you like and upgrade. You can also create OS X Mavericks bootable installer if you like. Here is the link: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5856

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Answer 4

Lobsterass Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 26, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Miska_FL

My computer came with an earlier system. It's a Mac Pro early 2008.

I have created the bootable Mavericks USB but it is never offered as an option to start from.

The cmd+option+R brings up the menu but it stops. The actual menu is halfway stuck in the top of my screen by the way. Can't see the top options but I can choose them.

Install Mavericks freeze before I even get to pick a drive.

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Answer 5

Miska_FL

Level 2

390 points

Oct 26, 2013 1:42 PM in response to Lobsterass

Try this:

-Power the unit down

-Turn it back on and hold the option key when you hear the startup sound (bootloader)

-Then give it a few seconds and see if the flash drive with Mavericks Installer comes up and go from there.

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Answer 6

Lobsterass Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 26, 2013 3:05 PM in response to Miska_FL

Thanx! The boot drive FINALLY showed up!

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Answer 7

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Oct 26, 2013 3:10 PM in response to Eric Root

Paging Eric... there's a thread waiting for you in The Lounge.

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Answer 8

Oct 27, 2013 12:05 AM in response to macjack

Too subtle, mj.

Hi, Eric!

Congratulations on advancing to Level 6!

At the Water Cooler in the Level 6+ Lounge, we are throwing virtual confetti in celebration of your attainment of Level 6-dom. Would you care to join us at the Water Cooler?

Towards the bottom of the index on the Apple Support Communities Home Page you soon will find the Lounge link available to you. It should work for you within the next 24 hours if all goes as it should.

Hope to see you there soon!

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