HT201372: Create a bootable installer for OS X

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Q: Create a bootable installer for OS X El Capitan

I need to create a bootable installer for OS X El Capitan. I read "HT201372: Create a bootable installer for OS X" and, following the instructions, I went to terminal and entered: /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia

 

It returns with

This tool must be run as root

Ricks-MacBook-Pro:~ RicksMBP$

 

How do I get to root? (It's been a very long time since I played with terminal)

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), MacBook Pro/IPadAir/iPhone 6

Posted on Mar 20, 2016 1:34 PM

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Q: Create a bootable installer for OS X El Capitan

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Mar 20, 2016 1:36 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 10 (311,951 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 1:36 PM in response to SlippySlope

    Add ‘sudo ‘ without the quote marks to the beginning of the command. It’ll ask for your password, but nothing will be displayed in the prompt as you type it.

     

    (140786)

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 1:56 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 1:56 PM in response to SlippySlope

    BTW, I went to "Enabling and using the "root" user in OS X" > How to enable the "root" user > OS X Lion (10.7) and later but once you get to 8. Enter an administrator account name and password, then click OK. nothing matches the directions. i.e., click on Directory Utility and there is no Edit Menu with Enable Root User

     

    So, this page appears to be out of date.(It says last modified March 27, 2015 - a year ago)

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 1:57 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 1:57 PM in response to Niel

    Thanks...I'll try that

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 2:00 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 2:00 PM in response to Niel

    So, this is the command: sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia  ?

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Mar 20, 2016 2:04 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 10 (311,951 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 2:04 PM in response to SlippySlope

    Yes.

     

    (140787)

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Niel

    Niel,

    Would this be the entire command?

    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath "/Applications/Install OS X El Capitan.app"

     

    And, would I replace "--volume /Volumes/Untitled" with "--volume /Volumes/OS X Boot" (the name of my USB thumb drive that I want to be my bootable emergency drive)

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Mar 20, 2016 2:13 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 10 (311,951 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 2:13 PM in response to SlippySlope

    1. Yes.

    2. Use /Volumes/OS\ X\ Boot or '/Volumes/OS X Boot' with the quotes.

     

    (140788)

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 2:13 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 2:13 PM in response to SlippySlope

    Niel,

    I made this command entry:

    Ricks-MacBook-Pro:~ RicksMBP$ sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/OS X Boot --applicationpath "/Applications/Install OS X El Capitan.app"

     

    And, after entering my PW got this:

    Password:

    /Volumes/OS is not a valid volume mount point.

    Ricks-MacBook-Pro:~ RicksMBP$

     

    So, perhaps it doesn't like spaces in the volume name? Perhaps I should rename it a single word?

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 2:19 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 2:19 PM in response to Niel

    OK. Termina will automatically rename the drive "Boot" ?

  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Mar 20, 2016 2:21 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 10 (311,951 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 2:21 PM in response to SlippySlope

    It’ll retain its current name.

     

    (140789)

  • by SlippySlope,

    SlippySlope SlippySlope Mar 20, 2016 3:11 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 20, 2016 3:11 PM in response to Niel

    Niel,

    Bingo !!! THANK YOU !!!

    Last login: Sun Mar 20 17:18:56 on ttys000

    Ricks-MacBook-Pro:~ RicksMBP$ sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/OS\ X\ Boot --applicationpath "/Applications/Install OS X El Capitan.app"

    Password:

    Ready to start.

    To continue we need to erase the disk at /Volumes/OS X Boot.

    If you wish to continue type (Y) then press return: Y

    Erasing Disk: 0%... 10%... 20%... 30%...100%...

    Copying installer files to disk...

    Copy complete.

    Making disk bootable...

    Copying boot files...

    Copy complete.

    Done.

    Ricks-MacBook-Pro:~ RicksMBP$

     

    Now, if I need it, I just do a restart holding the option key and I'll see this disk as an option, right?

     

    Thanks again, Niel.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Mar 20, 2016 3:13 PM in response to SlippySlope
    Level 10 (311,951 points)
    Mar 20, 2016 3:13 PM in response to SlippySlope

    Correct.

     

    (140798)