[imagiro1]

I am trying to use a regular external HD usb drive to do the OS X install. I am not using a thumb drive. I've run into 2 problems. One, I can not format the first partition on the drive to be less than 1 Gig using disk utility. The other problem I've ran into is with the syslinux command. It doesn't create the file. I've even tried throwing in the -maf. I am guessing these problems stem from using the external HD and not a USB drive. Can I not use a HD drive? Thanks in advance.

[mechdrew]

Are you formatting with with the FAT (MS-DOS) file system or Mac? Not sure that should make a difference, but still.
If it weren't for the fact that it looks like you're trying to do it all off one drive, I would have recommended just using a small flash drive or using the disk image I created. (The last one won't work for single USB installs, only dual USB.)

Also, try typing in ".05" in the GB field, this should change it to MB. Sometimes you just need to nudge Disk Utility to get it to do smaller partitions.

[AlecEdworthy]

Originally Posted by imagiro1

I am trying to use a regular external HD usb drive to do the OS X install. I am not using a thumb drive. I've run into 2 problems. One, I can not format the first partition on the drive to be less than 1 Gig using disk utility.

What happens when you try? The box to input the size will be in Gb but you just need to enter it as 0.2 and it will re-size itself to Mb instead.

Originally Posted by imagiro1

The other problem I've ran into is with the syslinux command. It doesn't create the file. I've even tried throwing in the -maf. I am guessing these problems stem from using the external HD and not a USB drive. Can I not use a HD drive? Thanks in advance.

How do you know it isn't creating the file? The file is hidden under windows but can be revealed by asking Explorer to show it or using command prompt and doing dir /a I think. Alternatively the files should be shown when the drive is connected to your Mac.

Alec

[imagiro1]

Thanks for the reply. The file was there. I was missing the /a.

It's odd. I type in .05 [enter]. It displays 1 GB and it also says.. *Denotes that some partitions are less than displayed in the list. But it never switches to MB. If I try using my thumb drive, it changes to MB.

I would use my thumb drive, but I got some important info on there. I don't like messing with it. And I would buy another one, but I'm stuck in Hell (Iraq).

Can I get away with using a 1 gig partition for the EFI part?

[AlecEdworthy]

Originally Posted by imagiro1

Can I get away with using a 1 gig partition for the EFI part?

Yes, as long as it leaves enough space for whatever other files you are planning on putting on there (e.g. the OS X DVD) it should be fine.

Alec