Stephanie Scheidemantel
Level 1 (17 points)
Mac OS X

Q: How do I make a bootable install disk on a flash drive?

First, my questions are in reference to a late 2009 13” MacBook Pro currently running Snow Leopard:

 

  1. 1. I will be installing El Capitan on a new SSD and need to install it from a flash drive, but I don't know how to do this. I already have it saved on my computer and on a flash drive. "Arthur" provided some valuable advice HERE and recommended an app called Diskmaker X, but there are NO instructions on exactly how to save it (or install it?) to a flash drive on the app’s website, and they haven't responded to my email inquiries. Can anyone provide me with step-by-step instructions? Likewise, I’ve seen instructions for how to do this using Terminal on the Apple Support page, but there are some things I’m just not clear about. Which is the easier option, Diskmaker X or the instructions on the Apple Support Page?

 

  1. 2. Once I have the new SSD formatted and installed in my computer, how do I get the computer to start up from the attached flash drive so I can install El Capitan? I know there is a simple way to do this, but I can't find this info in "Mac Help".

 

  1. 3. Is there any other important information I need to know before installing the SSD and El Capitan? I've never done this before and feel REALLY nervous about it, and feel like I sort of need someone to hold my hand through it. I’ve already upgraded my RAM to the max at 8GB, downloaded the latest drivers for my printers and checked to see that all my apps will be compatible with El Capitan. Is there anything else I need to know?

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2.26 GHz Intel core 2 Duo, 8 GB RAM

Posted on Oct 7, 2016 8:19 PM

by Gulliver,Solvedanswer
Gulliver Gulliver
Level 7 (25,661 points)
Desktops
A:

Stephanie,

 

1. download the macOS Sierra Installer but do NOT run it. Then download DiskMaker X.

2. Connect the flash drive

3. Run DiskMaker X and follow the instructions (you might be asked to show DiskMaker where you saved the macOS Sierra installer)

4. After appr. 30 minutes you will have a bootable flash drive with the installer on it.

5. Now reboot the computer and hold down the alt-key while it boots.

6. When asked select the newly created flash drive as startup volume. Now your computer will boot from the flash drive and you can install macOS Sierra wherever you want :-)

 

Good luck!

Posted on Oct 14, 2016 7:37 PM

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Stephanie Scheidemantel

Q: How do I make a bootable install disk on a flash drive?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Eric Root,Helpful

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 9, 2016 6:27 PM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel
    Level 9 (73,981 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 9, 2016 6:27 PM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel

    1. Diskmaker X is easiest. If you have the Flash drive attached to the computer, when you start the program, it will guide you through the necessary steps. I suggest you disconnect all other external drives. You need to have the installer downloaded before starting.

     

    2. Restart the computer with the option/aly key held down and select the Flash drive.

     

    3. Do a backup, preferable 2 separate ones on 2 drives.

  • by kahjot,

    kahjot kahjot Oct 8, 2016 7:49 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 4 (1,416 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 8, 2016 7:49 AM in response to Eric Root

    Step 3 before Step 2, I would guess.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 8, 2016 5:23 PM in response to kahjot
    Level 9 (73,981 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 8, 2016 5:23 PM in response to kahjot

    I was trying to answer the questions in the order they were asked, not the order of importance. I really think 3 should be 1.

  • by Stephanie Scheidemantel,

    Stephanie Scheidemantel Stephanie Scheidemantel Oct 9, 2016 6:45 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 9, 2016 6:45 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thank you for your response, Eric. I have some more questions.

     

    1. So, if I understand correctly, I download Diskmaker X onto my COMPUTER (but don't run it?) and then copy it on to the same flash drive where I have the El Capitan Installer saved? And then when I go to install El Capitan, I'm going to run Diskmaker X BEFORE attempting to install El Capitan?

     

    2. After I've installed my formatted but otherwise empty SSD, I will start the computer while holding down the option/alt  key and select the flash drive, and then I can select Diskmaker X to run? And then I just follow the instructions?

     

    3. I keep my computer backed up on an external HD with Time Machine, but I will also have the old HD with all my current data on it as well. If for some reason my external backup HD didn't work, I could retrieve my data off my old HD using the Migration Assistant built into El Capitan, right? I'm planning to use Migration Assistant to transfer my data from my backup HD anyway.

     

    Thank you for your time and patience in answering my questions.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 9, 2016 7:34 PM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel
    Level 9 (73,981 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 9, 2016 7:34 PM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel

    You are welcome.

     

    1.  I would transfer the installer to the hard drive before opening Diskmaker. Download Diskmaker X.  Then open the program and when it asks you for the installer, point it to the  El Capitan installer. When asked for the destination drive, select the Flash drive. So you are going to run Diskmaker before an attempt to install El Capitan. The program will make a bootable Flash drive.

     

    2. Use Diskmaker before rebooting.

     

    3. Once the OS installation is complete, after you restart, I'd use Setup Assistant to restore your data rather than Migration Assistant.

  • by Gulliver,

    Gulliver Gulliver Oct 10, 2016 3:03 AM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel
    Level 7 (25,661 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 10, 2016 3:03 AM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel

    Make a full backup first, then download the installer and finally use http://diskmakerx.com/ to create a bootable USB-stick with the installer.

  • by Stephanie Scheidemantel,

    Stephanie Scheidemantel Stephanie Scheidemantel Oct 11, 2016 10:37 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 11, 2016 10:37 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thank you again for your responses. I have one more question. You wrote in response to my question:

       

        2. After I've installed my formatted but otherwise empty SSD, I will start the computer     while holding down the option/alt  key and select the flash drive, and then I can select     Diskmaker X to run? And then I just follow the instructions?

       

        ---> 2. "Use Diskmaker before rebooting."

     

    I'm still unclear on this one so could you elaborate a bit more? Specifically, before rebooting what and when?

     

    Thank you so much for your help!

  • by Gulliver,Solvedanswer

    Gulliver Gulliver Oct 14, 2016 7:37 PM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel
    Level 7 (25,661 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 14, 2016 7:37 PM in response to Stephanie Scheidemantel

    Stephanie,

     

    1. download the macOS Sierra Installer but do NOT run it. Then download DiskMaker X.

    2. Connect the flash drive

    3. Run DiskMaker X and follow the instructions (you might be asked to show DiskMaker where you saved the macOS Sierra installer)

    4. After appr. 30 minutes you will have a bootable flash drive with the installer on it.

    5. Now reboot the computer and hold down the alt-key while it boots.

    6. When asked select the newly created flash drive as startup volume. Now your computer will boot from the flash drive and you can install macOS Sierra wherever you want :-)

     

    Good luck!