How to get copy of lion for new MBA!

[luvTN]

You are not allowed to download an additional copy of Lion on the new MBAs or Mac Minis because it's already installed. Saying that you can't install Lion is something totally different.

If you restore the ESD image to a USB thumbdrive you can boot any mac with 64 bit processor but not the MBA (haven't test with the mini though).

If you dig deeper, you can restore the BaseSystem image and it'll boot, but it'll say "this version of mac os x cannot be installed on this machine". Then if you hack the installation file a little bit it'll allow you install but you won't be able to boot.

Then if you have access to the 10.7.2 beta update, you can run it from the command line and voila, your MBA would finally boot.

I know these 'cuz I tried to fix my MBA for the last 2 days.

 

[turfmate1]

My MBA arrived this morning, so I popped along to the mac app store to see whether I could download a copy of lion to stick on a USB key for future use, or purchase a second copy to download later, but Mas won't let me do either! so how do I get my hands on one?
It seems crazy to me that you can't download an os that you have bought the right to use? I refuse to be reliant on my dogslow dsl connection to reinstall lion if I ever need to.
Has anyone got an answer before I go off searching for an "alternative download location? "

Just got a new Mini pre-loaded with Lion. Unpacked it and set it all up but before I installed any programs or apps (except CCC) I cloned the HDD to 32gb usb flash drive I had. I can now restore my internal HDD when ever I want. I haven't decided if I will purchase Lion on the flash drive when it becomes available in August.

 

[Cynicalone]

There are ways one could get the DMG if one was so inclined. None of which I can post on here.

And once you have the DMG you could make a USB stick. I would wait until at least 10.7.1 so that it will work with the new MacBook Air.

 

[turbotoes]

The response from apple was "it's brand new, why would you need to reinstall?" Duh!! So I'll be doing what Cynicalone didn't suggest

 

[ZBoater]

The response from apple was "it's brand new, why would you need to reinstall?" Duh!! So I'll be doing what Cynicalone didn't suggest

In my case, it was because I goofed the hard drive partitions while messing with Windows 7 and Bootcamp. It happens...

 

[Vortron]

I just made a Lion Install Flash Drive - Easy!

Use this method to make a bootable OSX Lion USB Flash Drive or DVD. Works perfectly.

How To Create an OS X Lion Install Disc

I used this to perform a clean install on my 13" MacBook Air. Clean install is vastly superior and far more stable to upgrading.

 

[tom vilsack]

Use this method to make a bootable OSX Lion USB Flash Drive or DVD. Works perfectly.

How To Create an OS X Lion Install Disc

I used this to perform a clean install on my 13" MacBook Air. Clean install is vastly superior and far more stable to upgrading.

does not work with new mba...as new mba comes with newer lion version then retail. (must wait till aug)