How to Setup the OS on a Laptop Without a CD-ROM Drive

Installing and setting up an operating system typically requires the use of a CD that contains the OS files. This is not possible on laptops lacking CD-ROM drives. The only modern laptop to not include an active CD drive is the Macbook Air, which forgoes the CD-ROM drive to minimize the laptop's size and weight. You can set up the OS on such a laptop to get the most out of your portable computer experience.

Things You'll Need

• OS CD
• Computer with CD-ROM drive

Instructions

1. Insert the first OS X Install Disc into the CD-ROM drive of a computer other than the laptop on which you wish to set up the OS. The Install Assistant appears on the screen.

2. Double-click the hard drive icon on the other computer if it is a Mac. If it is a PC with Windows, skip to Step 3. Open Applications and double-click Utilities. Launch the Remote Install Mac OS X application.

3. Click Remote Install Mac OS X in the installation window on the screen if the other computer is a Windows PC. If the other computer is a Mac, refer back to Step 2.

4. Click Continue in the Remote Install Mac OS X application. Click the icon for the OS disc in the CD-ROM drive and click Continue a second time.

5. Choose an available network connection from the list of wireless and wired (e.g. Ethernet) networks and press Continue.

6. Open the Mac laptop on which you wish to set up the OS without a CD-ROM drive. Click the Apple icon in the top left-hand corner of the screen and select Restart. Hold down the Option key on your laptop's keyboard while it is restarting. A list of possible start-up disks will appear on the screen during the rebooting process.

7. Press Continue in the Remote Install Mac OS X window.

8. Select the same network on your laptop as you did on the other computer on which the Mac OS X disc is running. Your Mac laptop will now connect to the other computer using the network that you have selected on both computers. It will use the network to access the CD data on the other computer, effectively allowing you to set up and modify the OS.