lion installed-but can't find on hd to do bootable copy

**DICKSTER** · July 21st, 2011, 01:45 PM

installed lion 10.7 okay but when I try to do a bootable copy onto a dvd I can't find anything on my hd about lion. I've looked in apps folder on hd for lion download file-shared support folder-for the installed.dmg file but can't locate any of these.
what happened to lion download files, etc.
anyone got a clue ?
Dickster------

**ElDiabloConCaca** · July 21st, 2011, 01:49 PM

Lion deletes these install packages after a successful install.

**DeltaMac** · July 21st, 2011, 02:03 PM

The "normal" process for reinstalling (if you need to do that), is to boot to the hidden partition that the Lion install creates (booting while holding command-R), and choosing the reinstall option.
Lion downloads all its files first, so you would quit after the files are downloaded, and then you can make your own disk by right-clicking on the Lion installer app (in your Applications folder at that point), and choosing to burn a DVD. There's other ways to get that installer, but you have to do that before you continue with the install.

**Doctor X** · July 21st, 2011, 02:22 PM

Okay . . . bear with me. I am waiting until the reviews are positive--the "fixes" are sent as bugs arise--and, most importantly my Critical [Porn.--Ed.] Applications are Lion compatible. Awesome. As I advise to EVERYONE who comes HERE streaming tears and . . . not tears . . . "back up your HD" I will, of course, do that.

However, every so often the need arises to boot on your Installation Disk/Snow Leopard Disk to run Disk Utilities and the like. I can make up reasons to do that, but I concede it rarely is necessary assuming you cloned your drive like a good 'un.

So . . . do you still have to boot from your Installation Disk/Snow Leopard Disk . . . clean up your mess, reinstall then redownload Lion? I am assuming DICKSTER is trying to avoid that by having a downloaded copy Lion he can just then use--or even boot from. Sorry if that appears an inane question; I have not downloaded Lion yet so I do not know "what" it is--a dmg, an update, magical piXies, et cetera.

--J.D.

**DeltaMac** · July 21st, 2011, 02:34 PM

No, you wouldn't need to touch your Snow Leopard installer.
When booting a Lion system using Command-R (boots to a hidden partition that is setup by the Lion install) - you get a small choice window that allows you to do several things, one is reinstall Lion - another is to open Disk Utility. You can also change or reset your password. I forget what the other is - I think it's a network install, but not sure about that.

The Lion system files are NOT local to your hard drive for that hidden partition installer. It re-downloads the Lion system when it's needed.

**Whitehill** · July 22nd, 2011, 07:23 AM

I haven't gone to Lion yet, but I have heard that it's a 4gb download through AppStore. With my rate of 3mbit not likely to increase anytime soon, I would really like to avoid downloading more than once.

I have two macs, but both use the same Apple ID. Will I have to buy Lion twice? Will each install require a download?

**ElDiabloConCaca** · July 22nd, 2011, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Whitehill

I have two macs, but both use the same Apple ID. Will I have to buy Lion twice?

Nope, just once per Apple ID.

Will each install require a download?

Officially, yes. Technically, no. When you download Lion on the first computer, DO NOT INSTALL IT IMMEDIATELY. Instead, do this:

http://lifehacker.com/5823096/how-to...or-flash-drive

Lion, as a default, "upgrades" your Snow Leopard system to Lion, even though most of the options say "Reinstall Mac OS X" or "Install a fresh copy of Lion" -- it gave me pause the first time I installed it on my MacBook Air, but rest assured, it DOES do an "upgrade install" as opposed to a "clean install."

**DeltaMac** · July 22nd, 2011, 07:41 AM

No, you only need to buy the download once, for each AppleID.
You are allowed to install Lion on all your home Macs, assuming that all Macs use your same AppleID.
There's various hints on how to do this, but basically you want to create the bootable Lion DVD, or (even better), restore the Lion installer to a USB flash drive. All you need is a 4GB partition, and have the flash drive formatted GUID.
You have to do this before you continue with the Lion install.
It will download all your Lion files, so quit the install at the end of the download. Restore the installer image to your desired boot device, and there you are! Here's one example - it's simple to do: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7...allation-disc/