Can I extract bootable OS X from my macbook?

Hello all,

I am trying to Install OS X 10.8.3 On an external hard drive.

I am currently running 10.8.3 On my internal, but I started off with the 10.8 Install.app and would like to install 10.8.3, skipping software updates on the external due to slow internet speed at the moment. I have a copy of the Install OS X Mountain Lion I downloaded from the app store a while ago, but it is only version 10.8.

Is there a way I can clone the OS on my Mac without any of my personal files, and make it an install.app or a .dmg file ? Or will I have to just install 10.8 and upgrade from there?

The easiest way would be to install 10.8 then use the combo updater (though it is nearly 800mb).

There's no way to clone the OS 'clean' from what you have.

mrplow said:

The easiest way would be to install 10.8 then use the combo updater (though it is nearly 800mb).

There's no way to clone the OS 'clean' from what you have.

Click to expand...

That is definitely what I figured, with all the plist files that hav been created and such. That combo update always takes so long for me, but I guess I will have to do it !

Thank you

Perhaps a trip to a local coffee shop with fast wifi to download the update?

Clone using CCC or SD! - boot to the external, create a new user account with admin privileges - log out, log in to the new account and delete the old user account - voila, fresh install with pretty much all of your apps, updated OS X, all the individual data and preferences gone and no downloading.