OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 71
Article Title = OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 25th July 2012
Article Last Updated = 10th October 2018
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?71

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server aka OS X Server 2

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Server Frequently Asked Questions

WARNING: As of September 2018 Apple has gutted macOS Server and removed most/all of the useful Server features!

Q. When will Mountain Lion Server be available?

A. Mountain Lion Server was released on the 25th July 2012. It is now called "OS X Server 2".

Q. How much does OS X Server 2 cost?

A. Mountain Lion Server is no longer available to buy.

Q. How can I buy OS X Server 2?

A. Mountain Lion Server is no longer available to buy.

Q. How many computers can I install OS X Server 2 on?

A. Consumers - you can purchase once and install OS X Server 2 on as many supported Macs as you own that are authorised with your Mac App Store ID (Apple ID).
A. Businesses, commercial, education and/or site licence users - You can install OS X Server 2 on as many computers as you have purchased the software individually for or have a licensed installation for - there is a minimum purchase of 20 licenses.

Q. What Macs can I install OS X Server 2 on?

A. OS X Server 2 requires a Mac that can run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion so any 64 bit EFI based Mac with an Intel Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor, a minimum of 2GB of RAM, 8GB of available disk space and modern graphics capability. Some early Intel Macs only have a 32 bit EFI and/or old graphics so you will not be able to run Mountain Lion on those computers. Supported Macs include:

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: You will need an Apple ID to be able to purchase OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion on the Mac App Store.

Q. Which older graphics systems / 32 bit EFI based Macs are not be supported?

A. The following Macs are not supported by OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2:

Any Mac with integrated Intel GMA 950/X3100, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 or ATI/AMD Radeon X1900 graphics
Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook and MacBook Pros from Late 2007 to Late 2008 (Model Numbers: MB061*/B, MB062*/B, MB063*/B, MB402*/A MB403*/A MB404*/A, MB402*/B - Identifiers: MacBook2,1, MacBook3,1, MacBook4,1, MacBookPro2,1, MacBookPro2,2)
The Mid-2007 Mac mini (Model Numbers: MB138*/A, MB139*/A - Identifier: MacMini2,1)
Late 2006 polycarbonate iMac (Model Number: MA710xx/A - Identifiers: iMac5,1, iMac5,2, iMac6,1)
The original Early 2008 MacBook Air (Model Number: MB003LL/A - Identifier: MacBookAir1,1)
The original 2006 Mac Pro and its 8-core 2007 update (Identifiers: MacPro1,1, MacPro2,1)
Late 2006 and Early 2008 Xserves (Identifiers: Xserve1,1, Xserve2,1)

Q. How can I check what specifications my computer has or what model it is/graphics capability it has?

A. You can check "Processor", "Memory" and Mac OS X "Version" by going to Apple menu > About This Mac.
A. To check what "model" you have the model number is usually printed on the outside of the computer somewhere.
A. To be more specific and exact you can check what "Identifier" your Mac has by:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.4.x/10.5.x/10.6.x go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Hardware" on the left and check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right. Then under Hardware on the left select "Graphics/Displays" and check what it says for 'Video Card' on the right (you may have two cards listed, one for integrated graphics and one for discrete graphics).
If you are running OS X 10.7.x go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) click "Overview" in the top left (this will now show the 'Graphics' capability) then click the "System Report" button > select "Hardware" on the left and check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right.
If you are running OS X 10.8.x you're ready to buy OS X Server 2.

Q. I have a Mac with a "Core Duo" / "Core Solo" which is an Intel processor. Why can't I run OS X Server 2?

A. OS X Server 2 requires a Mac with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion which is a full 64 bit operating system. The original Intel "Core Duo" and "Core Solo" processors are only 32 bit processors. If you want to run OS X Server 2 you will have to buy a new computer.

Q. I have a powerful Mac Pro / Xserve or a Mac with an early "Core 2 Duo" which is a more modern Intel processor. Why can't I run OS X Server 2?

A. OS X Server 2 requires a Mac with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion which is a full 64 bit operating system that requires a 64 bit capable EFI. Some early Macs with Intel processors only have a 32 bit capable EFI so although the processor is good enough to run Mountain Lion the EFI part isn't cable of doing so. In theory Apple could update the EFI with a firmware update but this is not likely happen, sorry. So, if you want to run OS X Server 2 you will have to buy a new computer.

Q. I have a Mac Pro and I've upgraded the graphics card. Can I run OS X Server 2?

A. No. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion is required for OS X Server 2 and the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion installer checks the model identifier (and not the graphics capability) so even if you have upgraded your card you still won't be able to install Mountain Lion. In theory Apple could change the way the installer checks the hardware but this is not likely. So, if you want to run OS X Server 2 you will probably have to buy a new computer.

Q. My Mac has the correct type of processor but I don't have enough RAM. What can I do?

A. All the supported Macs can run at least 2GB of RAM so all you need to do is upgrade your RAM to at least 2GB. In the UK we recommend Kingston Technology lifetime warranty memory for your Mac. Most Macs usually only have two memory slots so it is best to upgrade to as much RAM as you can afford the first time. If your Mac supports 8GB or more then upgrade to the maximum.

Q. I'm using an Intel Mac with Mac OS X 10.4.x/10.5.x/10.6.x/10.7.x (Server) on it. Can I still buy and install OS X Server 2?

A. Mountain Lion Server is no longer available to buy.

Q. If there is no physical Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 disc and I install Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 but run into trouble what can I do?

A. If you purchased OS X Server 2 from the Mac App Store:

When Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 is installed it creates a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the OS X "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an OS X "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have obtained the OS X Disc Image you can use it to create an Install DVD then boot your computer from it and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for OS X you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

A. If your Mac came with OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2:

Your Mac has a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the OS X "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an OS X "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If your hard disk has died (or you have upgraded it) you can use your computer's "Internet Recovery Mode" to reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2 (internet connection required).
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mountain Lion + OS X Server 2.
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for OS X you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

Article Keywords: OS X OSX 108 Mountain Server Frequently Asked Questions FAQ OSXserver2

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