Installing Clean OSX Lion from a DVD or USB stick

[vip]

Ok, so I made a Time Machine backup before install lion ... it's on an external HD. Question is ... how do I get my stuff back now? First time I've ever used Time Machine.

[.Neo]

Ok, so I made a Time Machine backup before install lion ... it's on an external HD. Question is ... how do I get my stuff back now? First time I've ever used Time Machine.

There's an option in both the installer and when setting up your Mac right after your installation is finished. Alternatively you can launch Migration Assistant from /Applications/Utilities.

[vip]

awesome thanks didn't even think of the migration assistant!

[perochan]

where is the Lion dmg file after i installed??? i couldnt find the file anymore.... :(

[Bad Boy Nibbler]

where is the Lion dmg file after i installed??? i couldnt find the file anymore.... :(

read Julienprz post above

[TR1GG3R]

is it posible to add another folder to this and put other softwares/dmgs and back up settings for mail and such in the new folder so i wont have to redownload them as everything i need will be on a 8gb usb stick :)

[.Neo]

Sure, if you have the free space. It won't install automatically with it though. Best is just to copy your entire Home folder to an external disk and copy support files back after installing.

[Elliott]

For those that have already upgraded to Lion and had the installer removed from their system, you can redownload it. Option+Click on the "Purchases" tab in the MAS (and keep holding Option until the page is loaded). That should enable the "Install" button next to OS X Lion.

[Quillz]

For those that have already upgraded to Lion and had the installer removed from their system, you can redownload it. Option+Click on the "Purchases" tab in the MAS (and keep holding Option until the page is loaded). That should enable the "Install" button next to OS X Lion.

I didn't know you could do that... So, it will let you re-download anything, should you want to re-install for w/e reason?

[cooky560 Veteran]

You can buy Lion for $69 on a usb stick if you don't want to / can't use the mac app store:

Source

[xplatinum]

It's not working for me. I did the steps exactly as shown. I've tried 2 different USB keys (both 16gb, different brands) and 1 USB HD (500GB).

Everytime I try to boot from it I get a circle that's crossed out.

[Dinggus]

Well, didn't read the part "Before you click anything" and upgraded, is the file still on my HD or do I need to download it again?

[Ionium]

Well, didn't read the part "Before you click anything" and upgraded, is the file still on my HD or do I need to download it again?

Pretty sure you gotta DL it again

[Dinggus]

Pretty sure you gotta DL it again

Okay, thanks! Guess I'll just wait until I'm back home to download again.

[Ionium]

Would the method mentioned in the OP, allow me to erase my HD and install totally from scratch?

[PsyOpWarlord]

Would the method mentioned in the OP, allow me to erase my HD and install totally from scratch?

Yes

[.Neo]

For those that have already upgraded to Lion and had the installer removed from their system, you can redownload it. Option+Click on the "Purchases" tab in the MAS (and keep holding Option until the page is loaded). That should enable the "Install" button next to OS X Lion.

LOL I wish I would have known this before installing Mac OS X Snow Leopard again to download Mac OS X Lion...

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

I can't find "InstallESD.dmg", Only comparable file I could find was "BaseSystem.dmg"

[Elliott]

LOL I wish I would have known this before installing Mac OS X Snow Leopard again to download Mac OS X Lion...

I'm still learning Lion Rule #1: When in doubt, press Option. :p

[Dinggus]

Any way to remove "purchased" apps in App Store? I'm tired of getting update notices on Apps I don't have installed anymore.

[.Neo]

Any way to remove "purchased" apps in App Store? I'm tired of getting update notices on Apps I don't have installed anymore.

Please keep this thread on topic.

[.Neo]

For those that have already upgraded to Lion and had the installer removed from their system, you can redownload it. Option+Click on the "Purchases" tab in the MAS (and keep holding Option until the page is loaded). That should enable the "Install" button next to OS X Lion.

Doesn't seem to work anymore for me. :s

Edit: Never mind, it works again.

[Gotenks98]

Ok here is my question. Lets say you got a mac book pro with Lion preinstalled. And 2 days later you have a total hard drive failure where its totally unrecoverable. So you decide to get the hard drive replace. Lets say you decide to do it yourself. Just how do you get Lion back on the laptop? I know with the mac book air and mini's it has that internet install feature thats built into the boot up so even if you dont have a working install you can still go back. But what about the other macs? Also from what I been hearing there isnt a generic install for this if your upgrading using the usb method. Meaning it only works on the model you download it to even if you bought it for multiple machines to upgrade using the USB method. I am big on having my own physical media stored some where incase of drive failure, but in the case of Lion with multiple macs you bought licenses for how would you do this?

[xplatinum]

This does not work on the newest generation of Macbook Air. It fails to boot from the USB device (crossed out circle at boot).

[Gotenks98]

This does not work on the newest generation of Macbook Air. It fails to boot from the USB device (crossed out circle at boot).

Thats because they dont need it. They have something built in where as long as you have a network conection you can redownload and reinstall Lion where as the older machines can not do this.