Another way to install Mac OS X 10.2.x Server on 2003 Macs

We previously reported that Apple's new OS X-only booting Power Mac G4s, OS X-only booting PowerBooks and the 2003 iMacs have trouble booting from the Mac OS X 10.2 Server CD. Workarounds that have proven successful for readers include updating the actual Mac OS X 10.2 Server installer, or disconnecting the drive, placing it in an OS 9-boot capable system (which can also recognize the Mac OS X 10.2 Server installer), and then re-connecting it internally to the OS X-only Mac.

On January 30th, Apple seeded a full-build (entire CD) version of Mac OS X Server 10.2.3 on the ADC site (connect.Apple.com), and these images should boot on 2003 Macs.

Eran Kendler offers another step-by-step solution that was suggested by Apple's UK technical support department:

1. Complete the Mac OS X Setup Assistant that appears when the computer is first turned on. Note: The user name and password used during this process will also be the Admin account name used by the server software.

2. Connect to the Internet, and use Software Update to install any available updates. After each update, be sure to check Software Update again for any additional software that may have become available.

3. Create a folder on the desktop called "Backed Up Packages", and drag the following files to that folder:

• /Library/Receipts/BSD.pkg
• /Library/Receipts/French.pkg
• /Library/Receipts/German.pkg
• /Library/Receipts/Japanese.pkg

4. Insert the Mac OS X Server 10.2 CD.

5. Install Mac OS X Server 10.2 from the metapackage installer named "MacOSXServerInstall.mpkg". It is found in the folder called "MacOSXServerInstall" on the root level of the CD. Double-click this metapackage, and the installer will open. During the installation, after the installer reads the packages, click the Customize button and deselect the option to install the BSD Subsystem. Note: You cannot start up the computer from the Mac OS X Server 10.2 CD.

6. After the install process has completed, restart the server.

7. Complete the Mac OS X Server setup assistant

8. Drag the BSD.pkg receipt from the folder on the desktop called "Backed Up Packages" to the /Library/Receipts/ directory.

9. Download and install the Mac OS X Server 10.2.3 or later "Combo" update, and restart the computer after the update is finished installing.

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