How to Install Mac OS X Leopard from a Damaged DVD Using an iPod

I replaced the hard drive on a mac mini and needed to reinstall OS X. Unfortunately, my copy of the Leopard DVD would not boot the mini, or my MacBook Pro -- the computers both just spun it up and down multiple times before ejecting it and displaying the circle-with-a-slash symbol. On closer inspection, the DVD was scratched, but would still appear fine within finder. This is my work-around to install using an iPod.

Step 1: Make an image of the DVD

Make an image (.dmg file) of the DVD. I did this through Disk Utility.

Comments

[memyselfand1]

Was that a PowerPC or an Intel mini?

[ewilhelm]

Intel.

[Bartboy]

I had the same problem on a PPC Powerbook G4.
Luckily, I found an old firewire iPod!

(The model I had could boot from Firewire but not USB)

[TheOneAndOnlyMissingNo.]

 So I guess after that you restore the iPod in iTunes?

[mike!!!]

uh-uh

[Morriscow]

 sorry but:


[geo526468]

 mac rules 

[gmjhowe]

haha! nice workaround! It also makes sense to make a dmg file of your leopard disc... Glad to see your a mac user! 

[KentsOkay]

how didya do that apple?

[gmjhowe]

ita alt-shift-k Only mac users can see it!

[Lithium Rain]

Nope. I can see it.

[Kasm279]

What OS?

[Lithium Rain]

I _was_ on vista. Now I've switched to a proper OS (ubuntu) :P.

[gmjhowe]

lucky you.

[Derin]

I see a box with F8FF written in it.

[Derin]

ÿ take that hidden windows symbol
_{^{win users:symbol font to reveal it}}

[Kasm279]

ROFL, i see a y with 2 dots above it, for the apples i see thick vertical lines... the PowerMac shows apples though!

[Labot2001]

I see three cats playing Texas Hold 'Em and smoking cigars.

[Derin]

the windows symbol is viewed in wingdings

[Kasm279]

ah

[KentsOkay]

cool!! 

[Punkguyta]

I Know!! 

[lukeyj15]



[techmonster]

 cool

[Derin]

whats so cool about f8ff

[yeah568]

It's actually an Apple logo. Only Mac users can see it though.

[qballcat]

haha 

[Derin]



[qballcat]

 on the email it said "derin said"?????????????? lololololololz

[Derin]

lulz

[frollard]

One thing I'm unclear on - the disk wont boot, but it will show in finder, so the disk utility app was happy to rip it? must just be a scratch on the boot-sector (not called that on a dvd I know)...I love it!

[robots199]

Hey Eric had a question, I was thinking about purchasing the new 2009 mac mini, is it any good. Do you like yours?

[ewilhelm]

I've been happy with my mini.

[robots199]

Is there anything bad about it that I should know abut if I buy it?

[frollard]

I have one- it obviously harder to upgrade 'technically' than a traditional tower pc or mac - other than that they are lovely.

[DJ Radio]

I wonder if you could use the workaround on a PC.

[ReCreate]

boot of usb thumb drive

[puffyfluff]

Handy!

[Pazzerz]

Couldn't you just burn a new DVD from the image file and install that directly into the computer?

[ewilhelm]

No, because it's a double layer disk, and is bigger than my DVD burner can write.