Mac OS X 10.6: Using Remote Install Mac OS X

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Using Remote Install Mac OS X

With Remote Install Mac OS X, you can use another computer on your network to use Disk Utility to repair or partition your computer’s internal disk, erase and reinstall Mac OS X on your computer’s internal disk, restore your computer from a Time Machine backup, or reset your password.

To use Remote Install Mac OS X, first make sure you have installed the “DVD or CD Sharing Setup” software on the other computer on your network.

To use Remote Install Mac OS X:

  1. Make sure both computers are on the same network (wired or wireless).

  2. Insert the Mac OS X installation disc into the optical drive of the other computer on your network.

  3. Open Remote Install Mac OS X.

    • If the other computer is a Mac, open the Utilities folder, located in the Applications folder, and then double-click Remote Install Mac OS X.

    • On a Windows computer, choose Remote Install Mac OS X from the Install Assistant.

  4. Read the introduction, click Continue, select the installation disc you want to use, and then click Continue.

  5. Depending on your type of network, select AirPort or Ethernet, and then click Continue.

  6. On the computer where you’re installing the software, hold down the Option key while you restart the computer, until you see a list of available startup disks.

    On the computer with the installation disc, click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X.

  7. If you selected AirPort as your network in step 4, choose your AirPort network from the pop-up menu. When you see the AirPort status icon indicating signal strength, click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X.

    If the network is secure, you’re prompted for a password. You can enter a private network name by choosing the ellipsis (...) and typing the network’s name and password.

  8. On the computer where you’re installing the software, select the installation disc, and then click the arrow below the disc icon. You can now complete any of the following tasks:

    • Use Disk Utility to repair your internal disk.

    Repairing a disk
    • Use Disk Utility to partition your internal disk.

    Partitioning a disk
    • Use Disk Utility to erase and then reinstall Mac OS X on your internal disk.

    Erasing and reinstalling Mac OS X on your startup disk
    • Restore from a Time Machine backup.

    Reverting to a previous Mac OS X version
    • Reset your password.

    If you forget your administrator password
Last Modified: Aug 6, 2013
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