Preparing For OS X 10.9 Mavericks Or Mavericks Server

Article ID = 102
Article Title = Preparing For OS X 10.9 Mavericks Or Mavericks Server
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 11th June 2013
Article Last Updated = 27th November 2013
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?102

Article Brief Description:
A handy check list to do in preparing to install OS X 10.9 Mavericks or Mavericks Server (OS X Server 3)

Preparing for OS X 10.9 Mavericks Client/Server

Here is a check list to do before installing Mavericks (Server):

Check whether you have a compatible Mac from this list:
- iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
- MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
- Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
- Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
- Xserve (Early 2009)
NOTE: If you are not sure whether you have a compatible Mac check our Mavericks FAQ before proceeding.
Check you do not need any of the following as Mavericks does not directly include them:

Rosetta for running PowerPC software - Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard users only
Web Sharing - see our Mavericks FAQ for alternatives
Xgrid Sharing - see our Mavericks FAQ for alternatives
X11 - see our Mavericks FAQ for alternatives
Java - see our Java article for more information

If you have a third party SSD installed in your computer check to see if it needs a firmware update before installing Mavericks.
If you have Western Digital hard disk and use the WD Smartware software make sure you it is up-to-date.
Make sure you are connected to the internet (preferably with a fast connection and with a large or no data cap in place).
Make sure you have an Apple ID (use the iTunes or App Store application to create one if necessary e.g. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > Store menu > "Create Account…" to get started if you don't have an Apple ID).
Consider whether you want the Mac App Store Apple ID to be the same for services such as iCloud, iTunes, etc if you are going to use them.
Make sure your that Apple ID "account" has enough credit on it or has a credit card on file (with enough credit on it).

OS X 10.9 Mavericks = FREE
OS X 10.9 Mavericks Server aka OS X Server 3 = £13.99

Check you have enough disk space (at least 10GB+ free).
Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility:

Select the volume under the disk you are going to use for Mavericks on the left, then on the right of the window click "Verify Disk" - if problems are found you will need to repair your disk.
Select the volume under the disk you are going to use for Mavericks on the left, check at the bottom that it states "Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". If it doesn't state "(Journaled)" you will need to turn journaling on by going to File menu > Enable Journaling.
Repair your boot disk's permissions.

Backup or clone your computer.

Check that your favourite software is Mavericks compatible.
Temporarily disable any third party disk encryption software.
Temporarily disable any anti-virus software.

Article Keywords: OS X OSX 109 Mavericks

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