Mac OS X 10.8 VM Configuration in VMware Fusion 4.x and 5.x

I have outlined the process below for Mac OS X 10.8 VM Configuration in VMware Fusion 4.x and 5.x.

 

1. Download Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) from the Mac App Store.  The direct link is http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-mountain-lion/id537386512?mt=12which has a purchase price of $19.99.

 

2. The Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) image will be downloaded directly into the Applications folder.  Be sure to make a copy of this 4 + GB file before performing any upgrades to your local Apple device.  The installation scripts clean/delete the installation package after the upgrade from 10.7 to 10.8 is completed.

 

3. Right click the Install OS X Mountain Lion package and select Show Package Contents.

  

4. Once within the Package Content directory structure, go to InstallESD.dmg under the SharedSupport folder.

  

5. On your local Apple device, go to Applications, Utilities and then open Disk Utility.

 

6. Drag InstallESD.dmg from step 4 into Disk Utility.  

 

7. Select the Convert icon from the top of the Disk Utility screen.

 

8. Name the file that you are creating with a .cdr extension.  The .cdr extension will later be changed to a .iso extension.

 

9. Select DVD/CD Master as the Image Format and None as the Encryption Type.  Next, select Save.

 

10. The .cdr image will now start the creation process.

 

11.  The 4.75 GB .cdr image has been successfully created.

   

12. Select the .cdr image and change the extension to .iso.

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13. Start VMware Fusion 4.x/5.x and and select File and New.

 

14. Select Continue without Disc.

 

15. Select Create a Custom Virtual Machine and then select the Continue button.

 

16. Select Apple Mac OS X for the Operating System and Mac OS X 10.7 64-bit for the Version.

 

17. The Mac OS X 10.8 installation screen will now appear to install Mac OS X 10.8 just as you would on a physical machine.

 

18. Go through the Mac OS X post installation process to complete the final configuration.

 

19. Go into the Virtual Machine Settings and change the CD/DVD (SCSI) setting from the Mac OS X iso used to the SuperDrive.  Note: I have had to toggle the Enable CD/DVD Drive button from off to on to get the iso to release.

  

20. Go to Virtual Machine from the top menu and select Install VMware Tools.

 

21. Select Install from the VMware Tools dialog.

  

22. Select Install VMware Tools to proceed forward with the VMware Tools for Mac OS X 10.8 installation.


23.  The Mac OS X 10.8 Virtual Machine is now fully configured for use within VMware Fusion 4.x/5.x.

Creating a USB Installer for Apple OS X 10.7 - 10.8

Before proceeding, we'll need the following items to complete the process:


  • 8GB USB Flash Drive (or SD Card)
  • Install OS X Mountain Lion.app (installer downloaded from Mac App Store)
  • Apple computer with Mac App Store (OS X 10.6.8+)
  • User Account with Administrative privileges

Follow these steps:


1.     Using a Mac with at least OS X 10.6.8 installed, access the Mac App Store and download the Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8) app installer.


2.     Insert the USB drive into the Mac and launch Disk Utility.


3.     Click on the USB drive from the left-hand menu and select the Partition tab.


4.     Click the drop-down menu, selecting 1 partition.


5.     Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for the format-type from the drop-down menu. 

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6.     Click on the Options button and select the radio button for GUID Partition Table and click OK.  


7.     Upon completion of the USB formatting, locate Install Mac OS X Mountain Lion.app (downloaded in step #1 to the Applications folder, by default). Right-click the file and select Show Package Contents. 


8.     Navigate the file structure Contents | Shared Support and drag the InstallESD.dmg file to the desktop. 


9.     Go back to Disk Utility and click on the newly formatted USB Drive in the menu, then click on the Restore tab.


10.  In the Source textbox, click the Image button and select the InstallESD.dmg file on your Desktop. For Destination, drag & drop the partition created on the USB drive onto the textbox. 


11.  Upon verifying that the fields are correct, click the Restore button and select Erase from the application, if prompted to do so. 


12.  The process may indicate in excess of one hour, but in my experience the process takes significantly less time to complete. 

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13. After the restore has completed, the Mac OS X Install (On USB Drive) will auto-mount.  You can now unmount and remove this USB drive.

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