Install os x from a pc TO a mac?

Is it possible to install os x (tiger) on a mac from a pc via a network? I have os x tiger but only on dvd and i'm trying to install it on an ibook that only has a cd drive. Damn Apple for being tight with optical drives...

I'm sure you are aware that this is possible from an OS X server, but I don't think there's any way you can do it from a PC. A shame, as it is so easy to install other *NIXs this way. And AFAIK, you cannot use a USB key for this either.

I think your only option is an external DVD drive, something like this from Maplin which you might find a useful addition to your iBook.

Edit: If you're feeling really adventurous you could have a look at this link. It needs only a tftp and web (or possibly nfs) server, so in theory you could do this on any PC. But it does look kinda complicated. You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?'.

Edited by deleted (Fri 24-Jul-09 13:30:18)

Thanks for the advice though fortunately a workmate had some old Panther [edit: Jaguar, not Panther...] disks lying about that he gave me after hearing about my plight. Tomorrow I get my other mac back from repairs so I would have been able to install the OS from that but I'm a sod for being impatient with things like this!

Edited by deleted (Fri 24-Jul-09 16:43:33)

You can make an image of your DVD to a USB drive, so I would be similar to burning an ISO to a CD, and then you can boot/install from that.

The OS/installer just sees it as the original media and happily does it's job. Have had to do this with Tiger and Leopard DVDs with the MBA (but I know the process also works on Macbooks/Pros) that have broken DVD drives!

Matt

I concur on the USB key. You need to do a restore of the install disk in disk utility and depending on your install disk version the key will need to be either 4Gb or 8Gb. It should boot just like any USB attached optical drive would. On some keys this might be a very time consuming process because, while some are very nippy others can be very, very, very sloooooow.

[edit]Never tried this but the procedure should also work using an appropriately sized SD card and USB adaptor[/edit]

Edited by Desmond (Sat 25-Jul-09 08:32:43)