Backing up installers.

[Ratteler]

Is there any safe way to backup the Installation files from the Applications folder so I can copy them to another system?
My main system is becoming a little unstable, plus I need swap my motherboard.

I have Lion on an official Apple USB dongle. I would like copy the Installers for Mavericks and Yosemite from the Applications folder so I can copy them back into the Application folder on a new system and still be able to make boot disks.

I believe I tried this with 10.8 when my last Hackintosh had an issue, but when I copied it back into the new Applications folder, it didn't work to make USB boot disks any more. It said it was corrupt or something.

I'm guessing there are things that don't copy when you simply drag an installer out of Applications.

How can I copy these files so they keep working?

Alternatively, and even better, is there some official repository to download older versions of installers in case I want to create a hackintosh on an older version of the OS, instead of being stuck with the latest system?

 

[wildwillow]

See my post here

 

[Stork]

I put mine back OS X install apps on my NAS. I first compress the app (zip it). Then copy it to whatever drive you have lying around. Since these files are 7-9GB in size, you'll either have to have a large USB or spare HDD.

 

[Ratteler]

See my post here

Thanks. I'm using iZip to make an archive of the install files now.