Mavericks host, Mavericks guest, how to?

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Mac OS X hosts.
Post Reply
orpheist
Posts: 1
Joined: 4. Jun 2014, 03:07

Mavericks host, Mavericks guest, how to?

Post by orpheist »

I notice some people mention running Mavericks as guest on Mavericks but I was wondering if anyone could share a how to on creating the initial boot image.

I'm running on a fairly recent MacBook Pro (i7, plenty of RAM).

I know Mavericks doesn't normally come with a bootable disk image, just the Install OSX Mavericks application which I've stashed... I tried using the InstallESD.dmg disk image that it contains, and I do get to a configuration boot-manager screen in VirtualBox but can't seem to actually make it boot or install (I just get to a UEFI Interactive Shell prompt).

FWIW I did try previously installing Snow Leopard Server from a factory disk, thinking to upgrade to Mavericks from there, but I could not get it to work - it would install but then never make it to the first reboot (black screen/hang).

Thanks for knowledge!
socratis
Site Moderator
Posts: 27330
Joined: 22. Oct 2010, 11:03
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Win(*>98), Linux*, OSX>10.5
Location: Greece

Re: Mavericks host, Mavericks guest, how to?

Post by socratis »

Here is a terminal script that solves the problem nicely. You'll need at least 16 GB free in your hard drive in order to do this.
• Start with "Install OS X Mavericks.app" in your "/Applications" folder. If not, correct the script.
• End with a "Mavericks.iso" in your desktop.
• You don't have to be an admin to do this.

Code: Select all

# ==============================================================
# 10.9. Make an ISO from the Install.app
# ==============================================================
# Mount the installer image
hdiutil attach /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app

# Convert the boot image to a sparse bundle
hdiutil convert /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -format UDSP -o /tmp/Mavericks

# Increase the sparse bundle capacity to 8GB to accommodate the packages
hdiutil resize -size 8g /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage

# Mount the sparse bundle for package addition
hdiutil attach /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build

# Remove Package link and replace with actual files
rm /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/Packages
cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/install_build/System/Installation/

# Unmount the installer image
hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app

# Unmount the sparse bundle
hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_build

# Resize the partition in the sparse bundle to remove any free space
hdiutil resize -size `hdiutil resize -limits /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage | tail -n 1 | awk '{ print $1 }'`b /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage

# Convert the sparse bundle to ISO/CD master
hdiutil convert /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage -format UDTO -o /tmp/Mavericks

# Remove the sparse bundle
rm /tmp/Mavericks.sparseimage

# Rename the ISO and move it to the desktop
mv /tmp/Mavericks.cdr ~/Desktop/Mavericks.iso
Do NOT send me Personal Messages (PMs) for troubleshooting, they are simply deleted.
Do NOT reply with the "QUOTE" button, please use the "POST REPLY", at the bottom of the form.
If you obfuscate any information requested, I will obfuscate my response. These are virtual UUIDs, not real ones.
ChipMcK
Volunteer
Posts: 1095
Joined: 20. May 2009, 02:17
Primary OS: Mac OS X other
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, OSX
Location: U S of A

Re: Mavericks host, Mavericks guest, how to?

Post by ChipMcK »

Post Reply