My Dell Mini Forum

totoetlititi · **Clone my "real" mac to an external hard disk -** 06-29-2009, 09:54 PM

Hello everyone !

I read a lot of subjects and tutorials in this site. Nice !
I would like to clone the disk of my mac to an external hard disk, and use it with a dell mini 9. I will use Carbon Copy Cloner, to make a bootable disk, in HFS+, and this disk will be bootable on another mac. But on the dell mini, the problem will be the EFI, no ? The dell mini 9 will not boot on an extern hard drive in formated in HFS+, no ?... And if the macosx doesn't find an EFI, it will no boot...

What is the trick ?
DellEFIBootMaker after the clone operation (from mac to disk), (to make the disk bootable, isn't it ?)
And I need Dellefi1.2alpha5, but .. why ? and when ?

underwhelmed · 06-30-2009, 12:22 AM

Hi,
Cloning is not generally supported in this way on this forum. We use a new, retail Leopard dvd to do our installs.

Here is a related post as to why.

Why a Retail Disc? Paying for OS X, the EULA and You.

totoetlititi · 06-30-2009, 10:59 AM

Ha ok...
I understand.

spida505 · 11:46 AM

Have used the install to external ssd/usb drive method (http://dellefi.mechdrew.com/guide/method4.shtml) to install retail version OSX 10.5 plus combo upgrade to 10.5.7 on a hi-speed usb pen-drive (Lexar is fast enough) while I worked out if I wanted to use the Windows option (left that on the STEC 16Gb internal). Works fine as dual boot except, obviously, I have no wake from sleep function as USB legacy bios is enabled to allow me to boot of the pen drive. Is there anything to stop me cloning the pen-drive content to the STEC internal by booting off the pen-drive with the restore image on it? Or does that foul up the eula as well? Also, whilst on the subject, what I REALLY want to do is set up the Mac on the STEC and Windows on the pen drive... for occasional use. Possible?

underwhelmed · 07-03-2009, 05:10 PM

Cloning to the ssd is possible and does violate the EULA, but if it is a retail disc, it is generally not an issue. Using an OEM or grey disc is a problem.

Once you clone your install to the ssd, you will need to run the boot loader from the usb and run DellEFI to make it bootable. Cloning does not move the required EFI partition and boot loader.

dad2ways · 07-04-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totoetlititi

Hello everyone !

I read a lot of subjects and tutorials in this site. Nice !
I would like to clone the disk of my mac to an external hard disk, and use it with a dell mini 9. I will use Carbon Copy Cloner, to make a bootable disk, in HFS+, and this disk will be bootable on another mac. But on the dell mini, the problem will be the EFI, no ? The dell mini 9 will not boot on an extern hard drive in formated in HFS+, no ?... And if the macosx doesn't find an EFI, it will no boot...

What is the trick ?
DellEFIBootMaker after the clone operation (from mac to disk), (to make the disk bootable, isn't it ?)
And I need Dellefi1.2alpha5, but .. why ? and when ?

What is your desktop Mac? I don't see it working very well unless your desktop Mac is an Intel Mac Mini prior to the Nvidia upgrades. If it is an early to recent Intel Mini, some people on other forums have had success doing this. You will still need to install a software EFI and may have to patch the video and sound afterwards, but it can work.

Of course, it will violate the EULA to not have a separate copy of OS X for each computer or a multi-license copy to cover the install seat. Obviously, according to Apple, it is still an EULA violation to install OS X on non-Apple hardware.

spida505 · 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underwhelmed

Cloning does not move the required EFI partition and boot loader.

Now that's odd. I have the one 16Gb stick and I needed it for something else. I used disk utility to back up my Dell Mac OS X installation, fully erased the stick, used it for the job I needed to do and then restored it from the back-up, again fully erasing it before I did so. I didn't need to use DellEFI again to make it work as the Mac OS boot. So, if I used the same back up to restore the SSD, why would I need DellEFI again?

I know nothing about Windows, however, is it possible to use MacOS Disk Utility to copy the Windows XP installation on the SSD? See my earlier wish (what I REALLY want to do is set up the Mac on the STEC and Windows on the pen drive... for occasional use. Possible?). See where I'm coming from?

usafpilotruss · 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spida505

what I REALLY want to do is set up the Mac on the STEC and Windows on the pen drive... for occasional use. Possible?)

I'm very interested in this very question. Did you ever come to a conclusion?

spida505 · 11:34 AM

OK, my mini 9 is now a "real" hackintosh after I finally plucked up courage to destroy the Windows installation. And, yes, you DO need to run DellEFI again on restoring from a disk image (thanks underwhelmed). Now attempting to make bootable USB to run small XP or other Windows installation. Gone to Windows section... Later!

usafpilotruss · 07-26-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spida505

OK, my mini 9 is now a "real" hackintosh after I finally plucked up courage to destroy the Windows installation. And, yes, you DO need to run DellEFI again on restoring from a disk image (thanks underwhelmed). Now attempting to make bootable USB to run small XP or other Windows installation. Gone to Windows section... Later!

Keep us apprised on how the Windows on the External USB works out. I'd love to get that up and running (stumbling through trying to figure it out myself).