How to Install OSX on an External Hard Drive
Mac OS X comes in many versions, from the inaugural 10.0 to the more commonly used Tiger 10.4, Leopard 10.5 and Snow Leopard 10.6. If you have a Mac already running a version of OS X, you can install another OS X operating system onto an external hard drive using Disk Utility and the install DVDs. Both Firewire or USB external hard drives are options; however, using a Firewire hard drive will make OS X run faster.
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Instructions
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Connect your external hard drive to your Mac computer using the USB port or the Firewire port. Back up any important information on the drive before you install OS X.
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Place the “Mac OS X Install DVD” into your Mac’s optical drive.
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Open Disk Utility in the Applications/Utilities folder and click on your external hard drive. Click “Erase” and select “Mac OS Extended Journaled” as the format. Click “Erase.”
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Click “Partition” and select “1 Partition” from the Volume Scheme menu. Click on “Options” and select the “GUID Partition Table” and press “OK.”
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Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac. Choose “Restart” from the Apple Menu. Hold down the “C” key right after the restart chime. This will make it boot from the “Mac OS X Install DVD.”
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Select "Install Mac OS X" and click "Continue." Click on the external hard drive from the “Select a Destination” screen. Click “Install.”
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure your external hard drive is large enough to install a version of Mac OS X on. Over 10 GB is needed for most versions of Mac OS X.
References
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