How to Install Mac OS X Leopard from a Damaged DVD Using an iPod by ewilhelm
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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.
 
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Step 1: Make an image of the DVD

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Make an image (.dmg file) of the DVD. I did this through Disk Utility.
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memyselfand1 says: Sep 6, 2009. 12:36 AM
Was that a PowerPC or an Intel mini?
ewilhelm (author) says: Sep 6, 2009. 3:39 PM
Intel.
Bartboy says: Oct 17, 2011. 11:17 AM
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. says: Apr 16, 2010. 3:36 PM
 So I guess after that you restore the iPod in iTunes?
mike!!! says: Jun 16, 2010. 5:17 AM
uh-uh
Morriscow says: Feb 14, 2010. 7:50 PM
 sorry but:

geo526468 says: Sep 29, 2009. 5:45 PM
 mac rules 
gmjhowe says: Feb 3, 2009. 12:06 PM
haha! nice workaround! It also makes sense to make a dmg file of your leopard disc... Glad to see your a mac user! 
KentsOkay says: Feb 4, 2009. 4:53 AM
how didya do that apple?
gmjhowe says: Feb 4, 2009. 8:31 AM
ita alt-shift-k Only mac users can see it!
Lithium Rain says: Feb 5, 2009. 12:23 PM
Nope. I can see it.
Kasm279 says: Jul 29, 2009. 12:18 AM
What OS?
Lithium Rain says: Jul 29, 2009. 8:48 AM
I _was_ on vista. Now I've switched to a proper OS (ubuntu) :P.
gmjhowe says: Feb 5, 2009. 12:57 PM
lucky you.
Derin says: Mar 6, 2009. 9:56 AM
I see a box with F8FF written in it.
Derin says: Jun 18, 2009. 11:32 PM
ÿ take that hidden windows symbol
win users:symbol font to reveal it
Kasm279 says: Jul 29, 2009. 12:19 AM
ROFL, i see a y with 2 dots above it, for the apples i see thick vertical lines... the PowerMac shows apples though!
Labot2001 says: May 22, 2010. 3:29 AM
I see three cats playing Texas Hold 'Em and smoking cigars.
Derin says: Jul 29, 2009. 12:36 AM
the windows symbol is viewed in wingdings
Kasm279 says: Jul 29, 2009. 1:08 AM
ah
KentsOkay says: Feb 5, 2009. 4:22 AM
cool!! 
Punkguyta says: Mar 8, 2009. 5:48 PM
I Know!! 
lukeyj15 says: Feb 27, 2009. 2:23 AM

techmonster says: Apr 23, 2009. 3:29 PM
 cool
Derin says: Jun 29, 2009. 3:42 AM
whats so cool about f8ff
yeah568 says: Jul 5, 2009. 12:41 PM
It's actually an Apple logo. Only Mac users can see it though.
qballcat says: Jul 16, 2009. 1:57 PM
haha 
Derin says: Jul 22, 2009. 12:16 AM

qballcat says: Jul 22, 2009. 9:46 AM
 on the email it said "derin said"?????????????? lololololololz
Derin says: Jul 23, 2009. 5:01 AM
lulz
frollard says: Jun 17, 2009. 8:19 AM
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 says: Apr 15, 2009. 1:39 PM
Hey Eric had a question, I was thinking about purchasing the new 2009 mac mini, is it any good. Do you like yours?
ewilhelm (author) says: Apr 18, 2009. 4:06 PM
I've been happy with my mini.
robots199 says: Apr 19, 2009. 8:25 AM
Is there anything bad about it that I should know abut if I buy it?
frollard says: Jun 17, 2009. 8:18 AM
I have one- it obviously harder to upgrade 'technically' than a traditional tower pc or mac - other than that they are lovely.
DJ Radio says: Mar 26, 2009. 3:04 PM
I wonder if you could use the workaround on a PC.
ReCreate says: Jun 6, 2009. 9:35 AM
boot of usb thumb drive
puffyfluff says: Feb 15, 2009. 8:24 PM
Handy!
Pazzerz says: Feb 4, 2009. 5:58 AM
Couldn't you just burn a new DVD from the image file and install that directly into the computer?
ewilhelm (author) says: Feb 4, 2009. 8:42 AM
No, because it's a double layer disk, and is bigger than my DVD burner can write.
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