Re-install Mac OSX without DVD drive

[russell]

I really hate it when piracy (however well intentioned) is the only easy solution

I'll think about that option, I could order a 10.6 DVD and then I've already paid for it before downloading. Anyone know what size USB drive I'd need?

An 8GB drive will be enough its around 4GB-6GB.

[bobspud]

OSX has no product key or Activation so you can find a copy on the web then pay for it later.

If you fancy a computer full of trojans...

Sounds like its time to go to an apple store and have a chat to the Genius Bar peeps...

[stek]

Have you got another Mac in the house?

[stek]

Have you got another Mac in the house?

If not you could do this:

'Acquire' a VMWare OSX image from the usual places, stick it in a VM on your PC, have the vM own the DVD drive, and use that as a remote OSX DVD install (make it visible in System Preferences).

[russell]

If you fancy a computer full of trojans...

Sounds like its time to go to an apple store and have a chat to the Genius Bar peeps...

Never had a trojan so it must be all that porn you are downloading..

[Spacecadet]

Sounds like its time to go to an apple store and have a chat to the Genius Bar peeps...

Don't forget your wallet

[d000hg]

Maybe my first test will be to borrow a friend's Mac and use it to copy my 10.5 DVD onto a bootable USB, or buy a 10.6 DVD and do the same thing.
I will get the option to completely wipe the drive as part of installation, including my bootcamp Windows partition?

[stek]

Maybe my first test will be to borrow a friend's Mac and use it to copy my 10.5 DVD onto a bootable USB, or buy a 10.6 DVD and do the same thing.
I will get the option to completely wipe the drive as part of installation, including my bootcamp Windows partition?

If u do that u can use Remote DVD Install.

Or, why now download App Store and buy Lion for 25 quid and it will install over the web.

And u will get the option to delete existing, Lion creates a small recovery partition for that and future installs.

[Sysman]

Maybe my first test will be to borrow a friend's Mac and use it to copy my 10.5 DVD onto a bootable USB, or buy a 10.6 DVD and do the same thing.
I will get the option to completely wipe the drive as part of installation, including my bootcamp Windows partition?

With a Firewire cable and another Mac you can install using Target Disk Mode

You could also consider getting hold of an external Firewire drive. This becomes easy. Use CarbonCopyCloner to replicate your system disk. Boot from the external drive, then do a fresh installation from DVD choosing MIgration Assistant to copy preferences, user accounts, Apps etc from the copy to the new installatiom.

If you lived close by I'd rent my external Firewire DVD jobbie to you, but all my laptop DVD drives have packed up, so I ain't letting this thing out of my sight.

[stek]

With a Firewire cable and another Mac you can install using Target Disk Mode

You could also consider getting hold of an external Firewire drive. This becomes easy. Use CarbonCopyCloner to replicate your system disk. Boot from the external drive, then do a fresh installation from DVD choosing MIgration Assistant to copy preferences, user accounts, Apps etc from the copy to the new installatiom.

If you lived close by I'd rent my external Firewire DVD jobbie to you, but all my laptop DVD drives have packed up, so I ain't letting this thing out of my sight.

Still think my suggestion is best but i've received no credit or +ve rep at all for it.

I might flounce.....