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LucyRoberts
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 11:05
Here's my problem. I have an older imac I want to play with... as of this momnet it doesn't have an OS on it. I have OSX on DVD... problem? The imac only has a CD drive. Is there anyway to open the mac OS dvd on my PC and make copies of it on CD form that the mac would recognize? I try to put the DVD in my PC but it can't be read. Is there a program out there that will help me do this?

Much love ahead of time you computer geeks you!
Lightstream
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 11:36
http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/mediaexchange/

AFAIK there is no way to 'slice' the files up so they'll fit on CD and still retain them in a useable format.

Alternatively you could butcher a new DVDROM into the iMac......
LucyRoberts
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 11:49
http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/mediaexchange/

AFAIK there is no way to 'slice' the files up so they'll fit on CD and still retain them in a useable format.

Alternatively you could butcher a new DVDROM into the iMac......



OK, thanks for the info!
Mark_Cohran
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 18:56
Why not borrow someone's external DVD Drive and use it to install the OS on the other iMac?
cosworth
3rd of October 2007 (Wed), 18:58
Copy it to an external HDD as well.
Citizensmith
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 00:47
Or maybe an alternate solution

http://www.imacquarium.com/
csm328
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 11:53
Exactly what I was thinking. Why not split it up (ToastIt or RAR), copy to a CD as user defined segments, make a folder on your HD (I'd use the Mac rather than an external), join the segments back to the origional .dmg/s and then double click, verify (this mounts it like an external drive) and away you go.

Just did this with Adobe Master Copy CS3 onto a macbook pro.

Copy it to an external HDD as well.
Citizensmith
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 13:03
The 'make a folder on you hard drive' thing is kind of defeated by the no OS thing isn't it? Unless you are suggesting yanking the HDD and doing this in a different machine.
theague
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 13:07
Csmith, your avatar is awesome. I totally thought it was Kathy! lol
lostdoggy
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 13:18
I don't know anything about MACs, but wouldn't it be difficult to run RAR or iToast when the Mac in question doesnt have an OS???

Wouldn't it also difficult to run an external HDD or DVD w/o an OS???

Only reasonable solution I see is, and only if the bare Mac will recognize DVD drive, to install a int. DVD drive.
In2Photos
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 13:25
I don't know anything about MACs, but wouldn't it be difficult to run RAR or iToast when the Mac in question doesnt have an OS???

Wouldn't it also difficult to run an external HDD or DVD w/o an OS???

Only reasonable solution I see is, and only if the bare Mac will recognize DVD drive, to install a int. DVD drive.
External HD or DVD would be seen by the bios and allow an install. USB drives are now the first boot drive, followed by a floppy (if installed) and then the Hard drive.
lostdoggy
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 13:54
Key word is OLDER iMAC, how old is unknown!!! On newer BIOS, at least in PC, one can even boot from a USB jump drive.
Citizensmith
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 15:57
Key word is OLDER iMAC, how old is unknown!!! On newer BIOS, at least in PC, one can even boot from a USB jump drive.

And if the imac can boot from USB then copy the DVD onto a 4Gb thumbdrive and install from there.

Still think the fish tank would be a better solution. I'm not one of the Honorable Order of Macintosh Operators though.
VladDracule
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 16:36
if the mac can boot from USB you can use an external dvd drive.

otherwise find someone with a working mac with a dvd-rom and buy an external enclosure kit to turn your hard drive into a usb external and install it using the other persons computer.

those are the only solutions, the enclosure kits run about 40 bucks from your local best buy or any other electronics store
csm328
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 19:39
Hmm...I thought it was an upgrade of current OS. My bad if it wasnt.
umbra
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 21:01
Here ya go...

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20051227162152292&lsrc=osxh
LucyRoberts
4th of October 2007 (Thu), 22:05
Hey guys! I really appreciate the ideas and suggestions. I found a local nerd that let me borrow some cds. I'm about to go try and install it now.

As for that aquarium thing, that is awesome! The iMac I has it the cool little alien looking thing... the flat panel Johnny 5 one.


You guys rock!