Make disk image from Mac programme?

[monkey_tennis]

I've got some software that is installed on machines in our office (running Snow Leopard).

My business partner, who has now left, took the disks - must have been a sabotage as our relationship did not end well!

I'm looking to make some kind of a disk image so that, should my machines ever get wiped or replaced, I can install the software back on - without the need for the original vanished disks.

Can this be done? If so how?

[monkey_tennis]

I say disk image...is my terminology wrong here? Perhaps I mean installation file??

I'm a techno-dyslexic. Essentially I want to create a disk that would mimic the original installation disk!

[Astaroth]

You basically want to have a complete backup of your Mac?

Your Mac will come with an application called Time Machine and this is exactly what this is for. You can either use a normal external drive or an Apple Time Capsule for this purpose. Just turn it on in Settings and select the frequency you want it to do a backup.

[monkey_tennis]

I'm looking to just back up one programme though - in case I want to install it on future machines.

There are no license issues, so its fully above board. It's just that if I order any computers I'd like to be able to install it on them also.

[Astaroth]

Which application is it? Many Mac apps are self contained and you just need to copy the application file/ folder from the Application folder. Bigger applications like Adobe Creative Suite put files in places other than the App folder and so would be more complex.

[garyk]

As astra says *most* but not all apps are in a self contained single file so unlike windows you could simply copy everything in your applications folder as a way of saving your programs. Preferences are stored in a separate place but typically you wont need these.

You can also use Disk utility to do a complete backup to an external hard drive (In /Applications/Utilities)

Gary

[PureIT]

Why not contact the software publisher and ask for replacement media? If you have valid licences there will be no problem. I've contacted many different software publishers in the past when we have been in to companies and they can not find the disks etc.