Hi

A friend of mine wants to make use of his sis's old MacBook Air at gigs to run MainStage 2, but it's only got 10.5 on (it's one of the first ones I believe), so no access to App Store to download a new OS or the copy of Mainstage purchased a while back.

I think he's getting it free, hence why he's keen to use it, but is there a way to install 10.6/7 without the App Store? Do they still come on USB, or could we create a USB? I suggested getting hold of a USB DVD drive, and finding some install discs on eBay, but ideally doesn't want to spend out on something that might only get used once!

If he sourced some install discs, could I create a dmg file for him which he could load via USB? I also suggested Target Mode, before I realised there was no FireWire on the MBA!

Any suggestions!?

Thanks!

Ben

There was a 10.7 Lion USB drive - I know that because we had one at work to upgrade a Mac Pro. There's a few on ebay, for example...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac-OS- ... 2a31e21646

10.8 was the first version of OS X to only be available via the App Store. However, you can make your own Flash drive installer as long as you haven't deleted the 10.7 or 10.8 installer (it deletes itself after installation, but you can quit the installer before it gets started and it'll be in your Applications folder. Of course, that doesn't really help you much as you can't get the installer (unless you know someone, nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

I don't think it'll run 10.8 as there were higher minimum requirements don't meant even some early Macbook Pros and Airs were excluded. Not even sure about 10.7, so 10.6 might be the highest it'll run if it is one of the original Macbook Airs. Check here...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4949?view ... cale=en_US

I think Target Mode works in USB on the Macbook Air, but don't quote me on that.

EDIT: As I suspected, 10.8 Mountain Lion requires a "MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)" so that's out.
http://www.apple.com/uk/osx/specs/

Cool - thanks. A 10.7 installer on a USB would be perfect...

We're suspecting that it may be lacking the beef needed for live anyway. Only one USB, only 2gb RAM..... he's thinking he may have to stump up and get himself a newer used or refurb MBP.

Thanks anyway!!

A Macbook Pro would definitely be a better choice to be honest. The newer Macbook Airs are pretty fast machines, but the early models were a bit underpowered for anything more than basic software and email/internet.

If you do get a copy of the 10.7 Lion installer file, here's how to create your own bootable Lion flash drive installer...
http://www.macworld.com/article/1166702 ... aller.html

Cheers - thanks!

If he knows anyone with an Apple machine with the App Store on it he could get them to download the version he wants and simply copy it over to his MBA and then run that way. It shows in my purchases on the App Store and so they could download it for free if the person has already bought it.

And that, of course, wouldn't be encouraging anyone to perform an illegal act, would it?
Oh, wait a moment ...

Mark

Yes but you could use it as a way to get the App store on your machine with 10.6. Then legally purchase the next up grade 10.7. Would that be illegal as you would only have 10.7 on which would be legal. Also the person selling the machine could either get the machine up to 10.7 or the buyer could do it. I for example have the previous version available to me on at least one machine which I could download again and copy across to an older machine.

With 10.7 and 10.8, Apple allow you to install it on any other Mac - the licence only says that the machines must be owned by the same person as the Apple ID account used.*

I think.

*Of course, that's not the case here but that's between you and your morals!

So, could the MBA owner log into a machine with the App Store on it using their Apple ID, buy 10.7 and download it and then transfer the installer over the MBA?
Would that be legal according to the licence conditions? Bit convoluted perhaps.

The official Apple way is to log-in to the same Apple ID on the App Store of the Mac you want to upgrade, then look under the "Purchased" section where 10.7 ot 10.8 will appear to download again (note: don't buy it again, just download from the 'Purchases' section). But, of course, that would require the Mac to already be on 10.6 (specifically, 10.6.7) in order to have the App Store on there - which yours doesn't!

To be legal, go for the Apple 10.7 Lion USB drive

I do think that if he had another legal machine with 10.8 or earlier on he could find access in purchased as you mentioned.

You could buy the DVD from apple for £14 then borrow a DVD drive to install it

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC573 ... ow-leopard

I was thinking could you take it into an Apple store and get suggestions from a genius?


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