[tatar]

Hi,
is there any way, I could test the installation DVD (OS X Leopard) for consistency, i.e. that it doesn't have errors, and is not damaged, before I perform the installation? I know, that when I insert the DVD, and the Installer is being launched, that I may choose to test the disk for consistency, just before the installation itself, but if I do that, when the test is completed, the installation will automatically start right after that, and if I don't want to perform the installation then, I will have to interrupt the process, causing the previously installed OS on the HD, to be partially deleted, forcing me to opt to finally install the OS, from the disk.
Thanks.

Aleksandar

[Cold Warrior]

if you insert the dvd, disk utility should let you choose Verify.

[Simon]

Disk Utility's verify only checks if the partition's file structure is ok. It can't check if the OS image for integrity.

I don't know how to do what the OP wants. But as a work-around, why not install OS X to a spare disk? You can format it afterwards, but that will at least let you run the installer's integrity check.

[besson3c]

You could try building a disk image from the disk. If it succeeds, while there may or may not have been a few nicks in the DVD it was able to cope with them.

[turtle777]

Besson wins. Best suggestion.

-t

[Spheric Harlot]

Indeed. Plus, you have a backup.

[tatar]

Ahmm,
I tried building the disk image, but I couldn't find this option anywhere. I attempted moving the OS X disk into Burn folder, but I figured, that, as the OS X DVD has a little over 7 gigs of data, I won't be able to burn it on a 4.7 gigs DVD I bought, and I don't remember seeing any disks, with superior capacity.
As for checking the DVD consistency, I've tried, going to the Installer, choosing Disk Utility, and there, the only thing I essayed, is Verifying Permissions, and I got the error saying: The underlying task reported failure on exit, and I'm sure that I don't know, what that means.
Oh and yes, what does the OP means?
Help...!!!

[reader50]

Insert the DVD into the drive, wait for it to mount. Launch Disk Utility, and select the OSX DVD. Then click on the "New Image" icon/button in the top bar of Disk Utility. Select desired settings ("DVD/CD master" is probably fastest), let it create an image file from the disc. All blocks will get copied - if there are any errors (unreadable blocks) along the way, Disk Utility will say so.

[ibook_steve]

OP = Original Poster.

I guess my question here is why? Did you scratch the disk or something and are concerned about an install? Maybe you can get a replacement disk from Apple. This seems like a lot of worry for something the installer does anyway (it would quit the install if there was a problem).

Steve

[Simon]

Checking a volume's consistency when making an image of it is (like verifying its file structure with DU) not the same thing as the OS installer does when it checks the OS image's integrity. These are different checks that accomplish different things. Depending on what the OP is concerned about, one of them will likely be more appropriate than the others. But none of them replicates entirely what the others do.

[tatar]

Hi,
OK, here's the update...I did make a disk image, and I'm reckoning, so far, so good. As for what Simon says, and Simon says, testing before disk imaging's not the same as the disk consistency check in the Installler, and, as I couldn't find any suggestions on how to perform the disk consistency check, without going for the installation itesef, I will just try to be content with what I got, and to that occasion, thanks everyone. One thing's still bothering me though, i.e. how to have a backup OS X, on a DVD. So far, I got two disk images in documents, one created sellecting DVD/CD master, and the other, compressed (should I have chosen some kind of Encryption, as I've left it, as none...?) I thought, the second image would exist in much fewer gigs, instead of, 6.3 GB, or something; and, as I've mentioned before, I couldn't find in the store any DVDs, willing to except, more then 4.7 gigs, so I figured, none larger capacity DVDs are ever being made. The only thing is, I can't quite grasp, how could those people, that manufactured the original OS X DVD, managed to force 7 gigs and some change, into their DVD.

Aleksandar (a.k.a. OP)

[Big Mac]

That magic you perceive is called the Dual Layer DVD. Manufacturers always had the ability to make them, but only a few years back did consumer dual layer burners become popular. You need a DL DVD burner and DL DVD media to burn a dual layer disc.

[Simon]

You can get an 8GB USB stick for $16. Format it as HFS journaled and use Disk Utility > Restore (make sure to check erase destination) to clone the install DVD to the USB stick. You'll have a much faster installer and you'll have a 'backup' of your original disk.

[Cold Warrior]

Seconded. In fact I have a dedicated 8 GB stick never used for anything else except holding that restored DVD image. It stays in my notebook bag instead of the DVD, which is filed away in a drawer.

[Simon]

Same here. In fact I never installed SL from the disk. I always install from my stick.

[besson3c]

I use Simon's stick too...

I thought they managed to reduce the SL DVD to be much smaller than the Leopard DVD?

[tatar]

Men, thanks a lot again, for all the data.
Then, I'm sure, I'm going to stick with the stick. The only thing, I heard, that the USB drives, are not able to hold the data indefinitely, as the DVDs, but that the stored bytes perish after few years. Is that really so...?

Aleksandar

[Simon]

Most cheap DVD-Rs you buy will perish after a few years as well.

[tatar]

Oh, I didn't know, there are shooty DVD to boot...

Aleksandar