Is it possible to install the OS X (operating system) on an external hard drive?

[Yea Ok Wali]

Ok so say your trying to run two software programs that are about 90 and 50 GB respectively. Both of which require the OS to run, and you don't want to put both on your computer basically leaving you with no space. Is there a way to install the OS on an external and run said programs from there?

Any and all help appreciated.

 

[GermanyChris]

Ok so say your trying to run two software programs that are about 90 and 50 GB respectively. Both of which require the OS to run, and you don't want to put both on your computer basically leaving you with no space. Is there a way to install the OS on an external and run said programs from there?

Any and all help appreciated.

I do on a FW drive

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, I have done so on USB and Firewire HDDs.

How to format a new HDD/SSD to install Mac OS X or make a bootable copy onto​

 

[Yea Ok Wali]

Yes, I have done so on USB and Firewire HDDs.

How to format a new HDD/SSD to install Mac OS X or make a bootable copy onto​

care to elaborate please? EDIT: didn't see that link gonna check that out to.

 

[Yea Ok Wali]

Also just so I'm sure. This only process only erases everything off the external you decide to use, and not your actual computer right?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Also just so I'm sure. This only process only erases everything off the external you decide to use, and not your actual computer right?

It erases only data on the HDD you selected to format. As the OS is stored on the HDD you have not selected, it will not be deleted (and couldn't be, as the OS runs from it and can't delete itself that easily).

To learn more about Mac OS X:

Helpful Information for Any Mac User by GGJstudios​

 

[Yea Ok Wali]

It erases only data on the HDD you selected to format. As the OS is stored on the HDD you have not selected, it will not be deleted (and couldn't be, as the OS runs from it and can't delete itself that easily).

To learn more about Mac OS X:

Helpful Information for Any Mac User by GGJstudios​

Ah gotcha.

 

[Yea Ok Wali]

It erases only data on the HDD you selected to format. As the OS is stored on the HDD you have not selected, it will not be deleted (and couldn't be, as the OS runs from it and can't delete itself that easily).

To learn more about Mac OS X:

Helpful Information for Any Mac User by GGJstudios​

I'm about to give this a try (just got an external). Don't kno if you got my PM, but I'm not exactly sure how I'm suppose to use carbon copy cloner to copy the OS to the external. Any instructions for this?

Thanks

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I'm about to give this a try (just got an external). Don't kno if you got my PM, but I'm not exactly sure how I'm suppose to use carbon copy cloner to copy the OS to the external. Any instructions for this?

Thanks

Can this help?