Question about clean install of Lion on 2011 Mac Mini

[Ruahrc]

I'm in the process of planning out an imminent mac mini server purchase. One thing I always do with new macs is to immediately wipe the disk and reinstall the OS fresh. I do this because I don't need or want the bundled programs like iPhoto or Garage Band, and also I usually elect to customize the OS X install to make it a bit more trim (example: don't need other language localizations, nor do I need the 3GB+ of printer drivers that Leopard had).

It gets a little more complicated with Lion. I intend to follow the instructions posted elsewhere on saving the downloaded InstallESD.dmg and putting it on a flash drive for future use, but what I'm curious about is if the internet-downloaded version of Lion also includes all the extra bundled programs like iPhoto, and if so, can I elect not to install them when installing the OS? I don't want to have them on there and would rather just not install them to begin with (deleting the programs after-the-fact is never as clean).

[rant]Seriously, what a totally botched system from Apple, and IMO a big step backwards from previous OS X releases. I can understand wanting to add new conveniences like downloading a new OS from the internet and internet restore for cases where you have an internet connection but no install disk, but why remove or make it difficult to reinstall the OS using more traditional means? From a company that is supposed to make everything simple, why do we need to go through all this rigamarole to get a self-installable OS, instead of Apple just bundling a flash drive or DVD with new computers?[/rant]

Ruahrc

 

[Vermifuge]

I'm in the process of planning out an imminent mac mini server purchase. One thing I always do with new macs is to immediately wipe the disk and reinstall the OS fresh. I do this because I don't need or want the bundled programs like iPhoto or Garage Band, and also I usually elect to customize the OS X install to make it a bit more trim (example: don't need other language localizations, nor do I need the 3GB+ of printer drivers that Leopard had).

It gets a little more complicated with Lion. I intend to follow the instructions posted elsewhere on saving the downloaded InstallESD.dmg and putting it on a flash drive for future use, but what I'm curious about is if the internet-downloaded version of Lion also includes all the extra bundled programs like iPhoto, and if so, can I elect not to install them when installing the OS? I don't want to have them on there and would rather just not install them to begin with (deleting the programs after-the-fact is never as clean).

[rant]Seriously, what a totally botched system from Apple, and IMO a big step backwards from previous OS X releases. I can understand wanting to add new conveniences like downloading a new OS from the internet and internet restore for cases where you have an internet connection but no install disk, but why remove or make it difficult to reinstall the OS using more traditional means? From a company that is supposed to make everything simple, why do we need to go through all this rigamarole to get a self-installable OS, instead of Apple just bundling a flash drive or DVD with new computers?[/rant]

Ruahrc

I don't know if this helps, but I noticed that the 'bundled apps" don't actually come pre installed. When you first log in to your mini Lion connects you to the app sore to download the apps.

That said, I think you can just boot in recovery mode an format the primary partition and reinstall. I don't know how much you will save because Lion dose not have a lot of options during the install.

 

[Ruahrc]

Interesting. So presumably then there is a way to refuse the downloading of those apps, so that they won't get installed? Furthermore, would I still be able to register those apps into my Apple ID in case I ever wanted to download/install them in the future?

Ruahrc

 

[Vermifuge]

Interesting. So presumably then there is a way to refuse the downloading of those apps, so that they won't get installed? Furthermore, would I still be able to register those apps into my Apple ID in case I ever wanted to download/install them in the future?

Ruahrc

It appeared the apps were automatically added to my "app store" account as if I had just purchased them, and yes I did have the option to refuse them. I could down load them later and I could also download them to any of my other Mac systems (a nice bonus IMO.)

To refresh my memory I watched a few lion installations on YouTube and I did not see any options for languages or Printers ETC. Lion was just installed. Nothing more. My memory isn't serving me well tonight and I just don't remember what options I was given when I did a fresh install to my 2010 Server. (I did whip the drive)

 

[accessoriesguy]

cool, we can install the OS without all the other languages or printer drivers? I want to do this for Lion

I love empty no bottleneck power performance coming out of my computer!

 

[mdgm]

It gets a little more complicated with Lion. I intend to follow the instructions posted elsewhere on saving the downloaded InstallESD.dmg and putting it on a flash drive for future use, but what I'm curious about is if the internet-downloaded version of Lion also includes all the extra bundled programs like iPhoto, and if so, can I elect not to install them when installing the OS? I don't want to have them on there and would rather just not install them to begin with (deleting the programs after-the-fact is never as clean).

You can't do the InstallESD.dmg trick with Macs that shipped with Lion. The new Mac Minis use a special build of Lion. You'll need to either use the recovery partition or internet recovery to reload Lion. Either way you'll need to download Lion from Apple to do this.

 

[Lokheed]

You can't do the InstallESD.dmg trick with Macs that shipped with Lion. The new Mac Minis use a special build of Lion. You'll need to either use the recovery partition or internet recovery to reload Lion. Either way you'll need to download Lion from Apple to do this.

Yep. Apple has begun to bind the UUID of systems that ship with Lion, limiting you on ways you can deploy the OS.

Trying to install vial the DMG will throw out a generic error and there are no confirmations that the $69.99 USB stick works as of yet. Like mdgm said, the only ways are either the recovery partition or the new recovery tool. In both scenarios, there is no way in Lion to select from a list of install packages (the option inexplicably remains greyed out—everything gets installed by default (locales, printer drivers, etc.). You have to rip out everything manually.

The good news, is that there is no such thing as iLife anymore, they are all independent packages (iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand) and they are not installed via a fresh install. And before wiping the drive that ships with your new Mini, I would suggest loading it up and logging into the App Store with your Apple ID. The iLife apps will then be added to your account (MAS will ask you to transfer them at no charge) under the Purchased section. So if you ever need them, they are only a download away (not sure if this will be the case if you do a fresh install).

So you really only need to rip out the languages, printer drivers, X11, and a few other little things. All in all, I was pretty happy with the process (base Mac Mini) as it seems Lion is a lot more streamline out the gate than SL was (default install). It took about 2 hours and was relatively painless. I used the recovery partition (as they hadn't released the recovery utility yet).

 

[OTACORB]

So you really only need to rip out the languages, printer drivers, X11, and a few other little things. All in all, I was pretty happy with the process (base Mac Mini) as it seems Lion is a lot more streamline out the gate than SL was (default install). It took about 2 hours and was relatively painless. I used the recovery partition (as they hadn't released the recovery utility yet).

Can you give us a quick reminder on how to rip out the extra languages, printer drivers and X11. I remember doing this before, but I just can't seem to remember. Duh! LOL

 

[Lokheed]

Can you give us a quick reminder on how to rip out the extra languages, printer drivers and X11. I remember doing this before, but I just can't seem to remember. Duh! LOL

Languages are easy. Just download monolingual. You can also remove text inputs with it too.

Here's an article that talks of removing X11, which doesn't recoup that much space: http://www.u-g-h.com/2007/01/31/uninstalling-x11-from-your-mac/

And a list of files that can be safely removed to clean up additional space (spacing saving for some are noted in brackets).

/System/Library/Compositions/ (removed all except Clouds) (48 MB)
/Library/Dictionaries/ (remove Japanese language folders)
/Library/Desktop Pictures/ (self explanatory, I usually leave a couple)
/Library/Printers/ (remove all folders as OS X will download your required printer driver automatically when a printer is detected)
/Library/Application Support/iPhoto/ (obviously if you don't use this)

/System/Library/Speech/Voices/ (all except Danielle Compat) (~480 MB)
/System/Library/Screen Savers/ (all except a few that don't take up much space) (35 MB)

I think in total, you can recoup ~5 GB at least (mileage of course may vary).

 

[OTACORB]

Thanks for the info! Great Help!

 

[Ruahrc]

Yep. Apple has begun to bind the UUID of systems that ship with Lion, limiting you on ways you can deploy the OS.

Trying to install vial the DMG will throw out a generic error and there are no confirmations that the $69.99 USB stick works as of yet. Like mdgm said, the only ways are either the recovery partition or the new recovery tool.

Wait, can you elaborate on this? I was under the impression that if I used the recovery partition and re-downloaded Lion from Apple I could capture the InstallESD.dmg (by grabbing it from the mini when attached to another mac in target disk mode) that has the updated "mac mini" build of Lion. Is this no longer correct? I understand that I'd have to re-download Lion from Apple but that's okay because once I do so, I can save it onto a USB drive and keep a local copy.

Also thanks for the information on the manual ripping out of "OS Junk". Does anyone around here still use Macaroni? I've used it for like 8 years now (ever since I've had a mac) and it's been truckin along the whole time. Automatically scans for and erases localizations within your installed programs. Does periodic maintenance in the background too (repair permissions, clean logs, etc.)

Ruahrc

 

[DesertSilver]

Using the internet recovery does work to download an InstallESD.dmg image. The tricky part is that you need to keep an eye on the download since the computer will reboot automatically and go into the install if you leave it unattended, which deletes the dmg afterwards.

To make things a bit easier, you can use a USB drive (I think it needs to be at least 6-8GB) and do the recovery install to the USB drive. As soon as the download finishes and starts to reboot, turn off the mini. Then boot into Lion with the existing HDD install and grab the dmg off the USB drive.

I actually did this to install a non-server "regular Lion" install onto my Mini Server, although you will need a non-server to download the image. I happened to have both a server and non-server when I was deciding which one I wanted to keep.

 

[DaltzSki]

Please help me

DesertSilver you may be my Savior

I have a Mac Mini Server 2011 with OSX Lion Server

If I could trouble you, could you provide me with the back up to turn a Server Mini into a Regular Vanilla Mini?

I don't know anyone with a Non-Server version but I am desperate to get rid of the Server Side of things. Also I am an ubernoob with anything Mac (this is my first one) could you tell me how I would install the image using this technique?

Thanks in Advance

 

[tonydickinson]

MacMini Server 2011

DesertSilver you may be my Savior

I have a Mac Mini Server 2011 with OSX Lion Server

If I could trouble you, could you provide me with the back up to turn a Server Mini into a Regular Vanilla Mini?

I don't know anyone with a Non-Server version but I am desperate to get rid of the Server Side of things. Also I am an ubernoob with anything Mac (this is my first one) could you tell me how I would install the image using this technique?

Thanks in Advance

Re desert Silver's non reply. I too have the same issue with a MacMini Server 2011, which I would prefer to run lion only as the server module gave me so many problems that I was not able to resolve.

I have tried what he suggested that is copy the OSX Lion install from a non server Mac, however all fails to work as during the installation it downloads what is required and in this case it is the Server module.

I would love to know how he achieved that as I understand that the Server is linked either to the UUID or the serial number...

Seasonal regards/tony.

 

[DesertSilver]

DesertSilver you may be my Savior

I have a Mac Mini Server 2011 with OSX Lion Server

If I could trouble you, could you provide me with the back up to turn a Server Mini into a Regular Vanilla Mini?

I don't know anyone with a Non-Server version but I am desperate to get rid of the Server Side of things. Also I am an ubernoob with anything Mac (this is my first one) could you tell me how I would install the image using this technique?

Thanks in Advance

Not sure why I didn't get a thread notification for your message. Although I'm hesitant to upload a 4GB file due to my ISP's bandwidth cap, I'm not even sure how I could share a file that large. Any suggestions (without requiring me to sign up for anything)?

Re desert Silver's non reply. I too have the same issue with a MacMini Server 2011, which I would prefer to run lion only as the server module gave me so many problems that I was not able to resolve.

I have tried what he suggested that is copy the OSX Lion install from a non server Mac, however all fails to work as during the installation it downloads what is required and in this case it is the Server module.

I would love to know how he achieved that as I understand that the Server is linked either to the UUID or the serial number...

Seasonal regards/tony.

Are you using a newer non-Server Mac (2011 model, I believe) to download the Lion image? It's been a long time since I found the instructions on a different thread but I believe it even needs to be a 2011 model Mini or Air, specifically, to grab the non-server image that will work for the new Mini Server.

And you mentioned that it failed due to the install downloading the Server module. Is your image in the 600MB range? If so, I don't think that's the full install image; probably the "recovery" image (I think that's the terminology) that is used for the Mac to boot up and seek out the proper install image it needs.