How do a make a bootable USB key with Lion?

[itsjared]

I have downloaded the installer but I have not installed it. I hear that erases the install files.

Anybody know?>

 

[gentlefury]

how did you download without installing?

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

You have to save the DMG file or burn the DMG to a disc as the installer will delete itself after you upgrade to Lion.

It's best to do this after you downloaded but not yet upgrade.

You can use Apple's Disc Utility to burn the disc image "InstallESG.dmg" to either a properly formated/partitioned USB flash drive, hard drive or blank DVD.

 

[itsjared]

i though i remember seeing a step-by-step guide out there somewhere.

 

[LoganT]

how did you download without installing?

By downloading it, and not hitting "Continue to install Lion"

To the OP here is how you make a Lion flash drive.

Download Lion from the App Store.
Go in to your Applications Folder
In there you will find something called "Install OSX Lion" right click on it and select "Show Package Contents"
In the SharedSupport folder there is a file called "InstallESD.dmg" hold the option key and drag and drop it to your desktop.

Open Disk Utility
Plug in your USB flash drive
Select your USB flash drive
Click the restore tab
Click image and select the InstallESD.dmg from your Desktop
Drag and Drop your USB flash drive to Destination

Hit restore.

Now wait 8 minutes.

 

[gentlefury]

Now, how would one get the DMG if its already installed??

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Now, how would one get the DMG if its already installed??

I think you're SOL, unless you did a Time Machine backup before upgrading.

 

[LoganT]

Now, how would one get the DMG if its already installed??

Download it again from the App Store. It should be under the purchased tab.

 

[gentlefury]

I think you're SOL, unless you did a Time Machine backup before upgrading.

My time machine is always on. Can I roll back my applications folder to before I upgraded?

 

[gentlefury]

Download it again from the App Store. It should be under the purchased tab.

the app store just says installed and its grey....

 

[LoganT]

the app store just says installed and its grey....

Hmm.

This would be somewhat unethical, but it's not really if you've already bought it.

Go to your favorite illegal downloading site and download the Lion DMG.

 

[gentlefury]

Hmm.

This would be somewhat unethical, but it's not really if you've already bought it.

Go to your favorite illegal downloading site and download the Lion DMG.

I know of a site that has every available release (public or not) of OSX, iOS and applications, but I would rather get the one I downloaded, so I know it is exact.

I might try peaking into the applications folders past...that could work.

 

[OllyW]

I think you're SOL, unless you did a Time Machine backup before upgrading.

I only read this thread just after I started to install Lion.

No worries though, Time Machine saved the day.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

I only read this thread just after I started to install Lion.

No worries though, Time Machine saved the day.

LOL +1 for TM.

 

[gentlefury]

I only read this thread just after I started to install Lion.

No worries though, Time Machine saved the day.

So you were able to retrieve the file from before it installed? I'm going to have to try that when I get home. Gotta remember what time I installed it...lol

 

[OllyW]

So you were able to retrieve the file from before it installed? I'm going to have to try that when I get home. Gotta remember what time I installed it...lol

I was lucky, I just clicked on Latest Backup and it was there.