OS X version for nMP on USB stick

[Killerbob]

I just got my new Mac Pro, and as I like to have a bootable USB stick with OSX on it, for reinstall, disasters etc., I want to get my USB installer updated.

The OSX installation file I pulled from my last oSX installer (using Diskmaker X) is 10.9, and I understand that will not work on my nMP - I need at least 10.9.2.

How would I get a hold of that specific OSX installer version? I got Mavericks from the App store, but I believe if I just download it again, that will be 10.9...

 

[Altemose]

I just got my new Mac Pro, and as I like to have a bootable USB stick with OSX on it, for reinstall, disasters etc., I want to get my USB installer updated.

The OSX installation file I pulled from my last oSX installer (using Diskmaker X) is 10.9, and I understand that will not work on my nMP - I need at least 10.9.2.

How would I get a hold of that specific OSX installer version? I got Mavericks from the App store, but I believe if I just download it again, that will be 10.9...

If you download a fresh copy of the Mavericks installer right now it will be 10.9.3.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

10.9.3 is the current version available in the Mac App Store (MAS):

Free
Category: Productivity
Updated: May 15, 2014
Version: 10.9.3
Size: 5.32 GB

 

[Killerbob]

So the OS X Mavericks (23 October 2013) I can download is the 10.9.3 one? I ask because it specifically mentions the date in the App Store Purchases section...

And, if/when I have it downloaded, how can I verify it is the right version?

 

[Altemose]

So the OS X Mavericks (23 October 2013) I can download is the 10.9.3 one? I ask because it specifically mentions the date in the App Store Purchases section...

And, if/when I have it downloaded, how can I verify it is the right version?

Any application in the Purchases section will download the latest update. If you bought GarageBand for example at version 6.0.1, the latest for version 6 is 6.0.5 and it will download that. It is Apple's way of preventing you from enduring long updates after install.

 

[Riwam]

I just got my new Mac Pro, and as I like to have a bootable USB stick with OSX on it, for reinstall, disasters etc., I want to get my USB installer updated.

The OSX installation file I pulled from my last oSX installer (using Diskmaker X) is 10.9, and I understand that will not work on my nMP - I need at least 10.9.2.

How would I get a hold of that specific OSX installer version? I got Mavericks from the App store, but I believe if I just download it again, that will be 10.9...

In my own experience to make in regular intervals of time a clone of your boot drive in an external drive of about that size is a very effective way to prevent those "disasters" you mention.
It backs up not only the OSX but you Apps as well, should you one day be in trouble...what of course I do not wish you ever to be
Before installing new software you are not absolute shure it will work, a clone backup can prevent a lot of sorrow and it is easily made for instance with Carbon Copy Cloner.
Ed

 

[mcnallym]

So the OS X Mavericks (23 October 2013) I can download is the 10.9.3 one? I ask because it specifically mentions the date in the App Store Purchases section...

And, if/when I have it downloaded, how can I verify it is the right version?

Dates in the App Store purchases are when you purchase it,not the release date.

It will download the current release

 

[Killerbob]

Thanks for the replies. I downloaded the Mavericks in the App Store...

As for the other suggestion, to keep a clone of the OSX/App drive is an excellent one. I could use Carbon Copy, which I was contemplating needing a reason to buy anyway A few questions though:

1) I have the 1TB PCIe SSD in the nMP. Will I need another 1TB drive for that, or is it only necessary to match the "used size"?
2) Will Carbon Copy also handle the Disaster Recovery Partition?

 

[iamMacPerson]

Thanks for the replies. I downloaded the Mavericks in the App Store...

As for the other suggestion, to keep a clone of the OSX/App drive is an excellent one. I could use Carbon Copy, which I was contemplating needing a reason to buy anyway A few questions though:

1) I have the 1TB PCIe SSD in the nMP. Will I need another 1TB drive for that, or is it only necessary to match the "used size"?
2) Will Carbon Copy also handle the Disaster Recovery Partition?

If you plan on filling the 1TB up, then yes go ahead and get a 1TB HDD. Otherwise, just whatever you think you will use, get. Personally, my rMBP has a 512GB SSD that I backup to a 500GB HDD and my oMP backups 2 drives (1.25TB total) to a 500GB HDD also.

The way CCC works is it will clone the entire drive (OS included) to the external drive. If something catastrophic happens, you will do what you need to on the internal drive (wipe it, replace it, etc) then hook up your CCC drive. Boot the Mac holding the Option key down, and boot from the external drive (TB, TB to FW, USB, what have you) and fire up CCC on the external drive. Clone the external drive back to the internal drive and your done. Much easier then restoring the OS and then using TM to put everything else back.