Can I run Snow Leopard with the latest version of VMware Fusion on a mid-2012 MacBook Pro?

[colfax]

I have a Snow Leopard installation disk (version 10.6.3), but my mid-2012 MacBook Pro won't allow me to install it.  Is this possible using the latest version of VMware Fusion?

[WoodyZ · Accepted solution]

If it's a retail version of Mac OS X 10.6.3 Snow Leopard Server not Client, then yes.

[colfax]

Darn, it's a retail version.  Thanks for the info.

[WoodyZ]

colfax wrote: Darn, it's a retail version.

It being a retail version is fine and what is needed however it has to be the Server version not the Client version!

[ColoradoMarmot]

Apple was selling the server version for $20 a couple of months ago - you can try calling them to see if it's still available.

[colfax]

Thank you for the suggestion.  Will the server version install in the standard fashion, or will a special installation technique be needed?  If the latter, can you kindly suggest a resource that would help me with the installation?

[WoodyZ]

colfax wrote:  Will the server version install in the standard fashion, or will a special installation technique be needed?  If the latter, can you kindly suggest a resource that would help me with the installation?

Just what do you mean by "or will a special installation technique be needed"!?  If you have the retail server version it installs the same way as on a physical machine however if you mean some help in circumventing the SLA no!, as asking such questions or providing help in that respect is not allowed by the VMware Community Terms of Use that you agreed to.  Otherwise you need to be explicit and specific about what you mean when you say "or will a special installation technique be needed".

[colfax]

I purchased Snow Leopard (Client) from Apple recently only to find out that it won't install on my mid-2012 MacBook Pro, which came loaded with Mountain Lion.  It's that whole thing about not being able to install an OS of an earlier version than the one which the machine came loaded with.  That's why I submitted this post in the first place, to learn if I could install an earlier OS through VMware Fusion 6 on my mid-2012 machine.  I saw some discussions online about being able to do such a thing, but it seemed to require an unorthodox installation technique.

[SvenGus]

Well, the Mac OS X 10.6 Server installation might be just a little more complex than a client install, because (IIRC) there are some network-related questions during the initial setup: but otherwise it's easy.

An advantage of installing it in a virtual machine is also that you don't need a wired keyboard during setup, which (always IIRC) is required with a physical machine.

[colfax]

It sounds like it should be reasonably straightforward to install the Server version.  Thank you.

[WoodyZ]

To add to what dlhotka said and having just now made the call to verify its availability, Apple is still selling Mac OS X Server v10.6 Snow Leopard with Unlimited Client License for $19.99 + sales tax & shipping costs via 1-800-692-7753.  The Apple Part Number is MC588Z/A and placed by telephone orders only which also currently can only be shipped to USA & Canada.

Back in March of this year my total cost for this was $25.43 which included shipping and sales tax which will vary based on where it's being shipped.

[ColoradoMarmot]

You can install it directly in a VM without issue - Fusion hides the 'earlier hardware' issue from the OS.

Thanks for tracking that down Woody - good to know it's still available.  Consider that it was $500 originally, that's a nice change.  I suspect though, that once they work their way through the existing backlog, that the offer will disappear.

When you originally posted it, I grabbed a copy just of the off chance I'd need it.  $25 is worth it.

[SvenGus]

BTW, here is the getting started manual for Mac OS X 10.6 Server:

http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1171/en_US/Mac_OSX_Server_v10.6_Getting_Started.pdf

[colfax]

Thanks for all the good information about 10.6 Server and for addressing my concerns about the hardware issue.

[ColoradoMarmot]

And my brain just pulled something out of a dusty archive.  Fusion 5 had a rare issue where it wouldn't work from a physical disk, but would from an ISO.  Not sure about 6.

[dariusd]

The issue still exists with Fusion 6. 

I have documented a procedure for Creating a disc image from physical Mac OS X install media, which neatly works around the problem.

Cheers,

--

Darius

[ColoradoMarmot]

Thanks Darius!

[GregFlyingCarpe]

Just an FYI that I was still able to order Snow Leopard Server by phone from Apple for $19.99, as of 1/7/14.