Absolute smallest OSX install size?

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Level 1

93 points

Absolute smallest OSX install size?

Now that Intel iMacs may boot from USB devices, I was considering creating an emergency "jump drive" with a few utilities from one of those 2GB units. Any opinions whether this will work? I also see 4GB units; perhaps that will do it?

Suggestions and comments welcome.

Thanks!

Intel iMac 20" / MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.6), Where the h*** did all these firewire drives come from?

Posted on Jul 8, 2006 7:47 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Eric Kracinski

Level 6

15,925 points

Jul 8, 2006 8:43 AM in response to Barry Levine

I could be wrong here, but I don't think that you could get it on anything smaller than an 8GB flash drive.

I pulled up my system folder which weighed in at 1.36GB, but my Library was over 6GB. Then there would be the utilities and those were 130MB or so.

I remember that you needed to partition the hard drive on older Macs to get them to dual boot OS X and OS 9. It was possible to get it all on an 8GB partition.

Flash drives of that size are running almot $200. While it would certainly be very cool to whip one out in an emergency, I think a USB/FW hard drive would be a better investment.

Just my opinion...

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Answer 2

AxL

Level 6

11,435 points

Jul 8, 2006 9:03 AM in response to Barry Levine

1103/3549

Hi Barry,

If you want to use this emergency USB solution, my guess is your best option is not to use the version of Mac OS X that is on your install DVD.
Rather, use the very "light" one that is on bootable CD repair utilities like TechTool Pro for example. Too bad DiskWarrior is not (yet?) Universal: this one too was very small.

Good luck!
Axl

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

726,485 points

Jul 8, 2006 12:08 PM in response to Barry Levine

If you perform a custom installation and turn off most or all of the options, such as foreign localizations and printer drivers, you can fit Mac OS X in a 4 or 5GB disk. My own Mac OS X 10.47 system takes up 4.27GB.

(13998)

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Answer 4

Barry Levine Author

Level 1

93 points

Jul 8, 2006 12:52 PM in response to Barry Levine

Thanks to all who responded. I'll either wait for an 8GB flash drive or buy one of those 1.8" USB2 units. Both are dropping in price pretty quickly.

Barry

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Answer 5

Barry Levine Author

Level 1

93 points

Jul 8, 2006 1:00 PM in response to Barry Levine

never mind. errant post.

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