How to Convert .dmg Files from Mac OS X to Bootable .iso Images for Use on Linux Machines

Introduction

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If you're new to installing or trying out various operating systems like Linux, one of the first hurdles you may encounter is finding an easily bootable and transferable installation medium. Fortunately, converting a disk image (ISO) file from Mac OS X's native format (.dmg) into something compatible with your Linux distribution should not be too daunting once you've gone through this step-by-step guide.

Why Convert .dmg to .iso?

----------------------------

Before diving headfirst into the conversion process, it might be beneficial to understand why one would want or need to do so in the first place. Essentially, most modern operating systems including Linux are now distributed via download as ISO files which can then easily be burned onto a blank optical disc (CD/DVD) or even directly written straight from your computer's hard drive using an external USB flash memory stick.

To elaborate further more; many popular distributions such as Ubuntu only provide their installation media in this format because it allows users greater flexibility when deciding how they wish to install/try out different operating systems without having constant access to physical storage devices like CDs/DVDs etc...

The Tools You'll Need

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Before we dive into the nitty-grnitties of converting your .dmg file, there are a few essential tools you should have readily available:

1. A working Mac OS X machine with administrative privileges (root/sudo access not strictly necessary but highly recommended for smooth operation).

2. The `hdiutil` command-line utility pre-installed on most modern versions of macOS (usually comes bundled by default; if not, download and install the corresponding package from Apple's official website).

The Conversion Process

----------------------

With all necessary software in place, let us now proceed with converting our target .dmg file into a bootable .iso image suitable for use across various Linux distributions:

### Step 1: Mounting the .img File

Open Terminal on your Mac OS X machine and navigate to the directory containing the `. dmg` file you wish to convert.

Next, issue the following command within the terminal window:

```bash

hdiutil -srcpath /path/to/.dmg -o output.iso -format UDRW -l output.img`

```

Replace `/path/to/.digm/` with the actual path leading up to your `. dmg` file and `output. iso` with a desired filename for your resulting ISO image.

### Step 2: Converting .iso Back to Bootable USB Drive

Once you have successfully created an ISO image from our original `. dmg`, we can now proceed with writing it back onto a blank USB drive that will be recognized by most modern Linux machines:

1. Connect the empty USB stick to your Mac OS X machine.

2. Open Terminal again and navigate into the same directory where you saved your newly created `output.iso` file earlier.

3. Next, issue the following command within the terminal window:

```bash

dd bs=16M if output.iso of /dev/usb0 || exit 1; sync`

```

Replace `/ dev / usb0` with the actual device path to your USB drive (this may vary depending on both operating system and hardware configuration).

That's it! Your bootable Linux installation media should now be ready for use. Simply insert this USB stick into any compatible machine, set the BIOS/UEFI settings accordingly (usually by pressing F2 or Del upon startup), and you're good to go!

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In conclusion, converting a Mac OS X `.dmg` file into a bootable Linux installation ISO image is an achievable task that requires only basic knowledge of terminal commands and access to the correct software tools. By following these simple steps outlined above, even those without prior experience working with operating systems can easily create their own customised installation media for use across various platforms.

Remember always exercise caution when messing around with system files and settings - it's better safe than sorry! Happy computing everyone!

Convert dmg to iso linux