Run Virtual Mac on a Mac

[HallX]

Hi All

 

I would like to run a virtual OSX Server 10.6 on my Snow Leopard Macbook, has anyone done this easily/successfully, and what virtual software did you use? I know you can run Windows using VMWare Fusion, but I couldn't get the OSX Server to run last time I tried it.

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Paul

[FN-GM]

I havent tried it myself but i thought you could do it using fusion.

 

What happened? Why wouldn't it work?

[Arthur]

has anyone done this easily/successfully, and what virtual software did you use?

I have successfully run Leopard Server in VMware Fusion v3.1 on a Mac Mini (early 2009). Were you using the latest version of Fusion and did you get any error messages?

[HallX]

@FN-GM

 

IIRC, there was no OS choice for Mac during setup, only BSkyB, & I was getting memory\disk errors during install. After lots of Googling it was determined that an install would be very flakey at best & I abondoned the idea. I'm just in the process of trying again & wondered what other peoples experiences were like.

 

Paul

[HallX]

@Arthur

 

I'll download an evaluation version of VMWare & give it another go. I'll keep posing results.

[HallX]

It seems to be installing from the install DVD Ok however, it doesn't seem to like to install from a disk image I created from the DVD. When booting from the disk image, instead of a grey apple image , I get a grey "No Entry" image and it never reaches the "Choose Language" screen. The disk image mounts on the Mac OK.

 

Odd

[Chris_Cook]

I have an osx 10.5 server running under virtual box that I used for testing some stuff, 10.6 server might work as well, but I don't have a copy at the moment.

[mac_shinobi]

Am sure the latest version of virtual box supports this for 10.6 server version - think on the cpu options you have to enable the virtualisation tickbox or something to that effect

 

ignoring the sections about illegally downloading OS X and all the kext / driver ammendments the below guide should give you a reasonable idea of settings / tweaks you can do on virtual box to get it to work

 

How to Install Mac OS X Snow Leopard on VirtualBox 3.2 with Non Apple, Intel PC

[Arthur]

it doesn't seem to like to install from a disk image I created from the DVD.

What did you use to create the image of the disc? I have sometimes had issues with bootable DVDs when using Apple's Disk Utility so it might be worth trying Carbon Copy Cloner.

[HallX]

It has, eventually. installed. No probs, out of the box. Can't remember why I had so many problems before, maybe it was an older version of Fusion I was using. Still can't understand the issue with using an image though.

 

Strange.

 

Paul

[HallX]

Same problem with ccc, further investigation required

 

Ah well, beer tonight so not all bad.

 

Paul

[HallX]

Thought I'd post this screenshot to clarify what I'm babbling on about!

 

[mac_shinobi]

What's wrong with using the original DVD ??

[FN-GM]

It seems to be installing from the install DVD Ok however, it doesn't seem to like to install from a disk image I created from the DVD. When booting from the disk image, instead of a grey apple image , I get a grey "No Entry" image and it never reaches the "Choose Language" screen. The disk image mounts on the Mac OK.

 

Odd

 

Thought I'd post this screenshot to clarify what I'm babbling on about!

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]8630[/ATTACH]

 

I have had the same when using a copied disk.

 

When i get media i like to make a copy and use that so i dont damage the media.

[Arthur]

Installing the OS from a disk image is also much faster compared to a DVD.

[mac_shinobi]

Installing the OS from a disk image is also much faster compared to a DVD.

 

Would be if it worked . Refer up above back to Arthurs suggestion of using CCC, possibly super duper ?

 

SuperDuper!

[Arthur]

There's also "hdiutil" (via Terminal), but I doubt that will work if the other methods didn't.

 

hdiutil create -srcdevice /dev/disk1s0 -format UDTO ~/Desktop/SnowLeopardServer.iso
mv ~/Desktop/SnowLeopardServer.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/SnowLeopardServer.iso

[HallX]

Just to update all:

 

I cant use the original DVD on my Macbook Air, the superdrive has gone U/S, and I have tried Carbon Copy Cloner with the same result. Looks like I'm going to have to shell out £65 for a new superdrive.

 

Ho Hum

[HodgeHi]

can you not download the remote Cd/DVD software for a pc if you have one available and access the disc through that remotely?

 

Also try and create a cd image of the disc. I have found that simply renaming the .cdr to .iso seems to work fine.

 

Also I tried the Parallels server software in beta. Was quite good.

[Arthur]

Looks like I'm going to have to shell out £65 for a new superdrive.

You can use any DVD drive with your MacBook Air as long as it uses a single USB cable for data and power i.e. no Y splitter cables.

[mac_shinobi]

You can use any DVD drive with your MacBook Air as long as it uses a single USB cable for data and power i.e. no Y splitter cables.

 

Get a USB to IDE / SATA external kit - power the optical drive using said kit and connect the optical drive direct to the mac book air - think they around the £10 mark off of amazon

 

Amazon.co.uk: usb to ide/sata

[HallX]

Hi Guys

 

You can use any DVD drive with your MacBook Air as long as it uses a single USB cable for data and power i.e. no Y splitter cables.

 

Thanks Arthur, but I couldn't find one locally with only one USB for power & data, they all either had 2 USB connectors or 1 USB with external power. This then takes away the advantage of total portability.

 

Get a USB to IDE / SATA external kit - power the optical drive using said kit and connect the optical drive direct to the mac book air - think they around the £10 mark off of amazon

 

Same as above however, I will get one of these to make use of the old drive for backup purposes.

 

I borrowed a drive over the weekend and successfully installed OSX Server into VMWare so, after jumping through the required amount of hoops, mission accomplished.

 

Thanks for all your help & input.

 

Paul