How to make a backup of the OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 Install DVD

Hello again! Today I ran into a problem making a backup copy of the Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) DVD. The original DVD was scratched pretty badly and I was afraid I was going to lose the install files. So I decided to make a copy. Here are the two methods that worked for me – and I have tried several. Regardless of which option you choose you will need a dual-layer blank DVD.

1. The easy way

There is a free software called SimplyBurns. It creates a DMG file from the original DVD. You can download it here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/simplyburns/?source=directory

2. The harder way

As you probably already know, the Disk Utility application can be used to create DVD copies. The problem was that when I chose “Read/Write Image”, “Compressed Image” I was unable to burn the DMG file.  But then I chose “DVD/CD Master” and was able to burn the image. So, without further ado, these are the settings that worked for me.

Create the DVD Image:

Step 1. Insert the retail Mac OS X Install DVD into your drive.

Step 2. Launch Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).

Step 3. In Disk Utility, you will notice a white pane on the left hand side. In the pane, select the Mac OS X Install DVD by clicking on it once.

Step 4. Click New Image on the Disk Utility toolbar.

Step 5. A dialog box will appear. Give the new image a name. I used ‘Mac OS X Install DVD’. Select the destination where you wish to save it. Select “CD/DVD Master” for the Image Format and Encryption set to None (default).

Step 6. Click Save to begin creating the image. The image will be saved as a .CDR file.

Step 7. Once your image has been created DO NOT mount it. Leave the image alone and proceed to the next section.

Burn the Image:
Step 1. Launch Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).

Step 2. Click Burn on the Disk Utility toolbar (upper left).

Step 3. Navigate to where you saved the DVD image created in the previous section. Click on the image file, then click the Burn button. Do not drag and drop the image file into Disk Utility during this step.

Step4. Insert a dual-layer DVD when prompted and proceed to Burn it. (use good quality media)
. I hope this tutorial helps.