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I've tried using VirtualBox, but the only option it gives me is Mac OS X Server. When I try to boot using my 10.4 disk, I get some vague message about startup.nsh, then a Shell> prompt, so I assume it won't work. Does Parallels or VMWare Fusion support running 10.5 on 10.6 as a VM?

Update:

Turns out the disk was damaged. If VirtualBox cannot find a valid disc, it will start the EFI utility. After using a new disc that is verified as working, I found that it worked with the "Mac OS X Server" option in the latest VirtualBox.

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Hmm, maybe this will do it? sysprobs.com/… – nbolton Oct 2 '10 at 14:23
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VritualBox supports OS X guests inofficially and only on OS X hosts. But the EULA states:

A. Single Use License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, unless you have purchased a Family Pack or Upgrade license for the Apple Software, you are granted a limited non-exclusive license to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-branded computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-branded computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same time.

I tested it: Install Virtualbox, insert your disc and create a new VM - works like a charm!

[edit] i changed my answer do reflect the actual EULA terms (which still don't apply in some countries like Germany)

[edit2] Here are some screenshots:

The first one shows Snow Leopard (MacBook Installation DVD) in VirtualBox 3.2-BETA1. The second one shows the same virtual machine (created in BETA1) running under 3.2.8 and booting from a Leopard Upgrade DVD.

Creating an OS X Server VM (without altering any other settings!) worked fine for me, too! I didn't complete the install, though. My 10.5 Insallation DVD requires 10.4 to be installed and i didn't have enough time to install 10.6 either.

Booting Snow Leopard (MacBook Mid 2010 Install Disc, Virtualbox 3.2-BETA1) Booting Leopard (Leopard Upgrade DVD), Virtualbox 3.2.whateverthecurrentversionis

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Which VM type did you choose? I chose Mac OS X Server and had no success. Is your disk for the desktop or server version? – nbolton Oct 3 '10 at 21:58
By the way, if I choose "Mac OS X Server" and disable the EFI option, then insert my Mac OS X 10.5 disk (not server), it reads the disk for a second, then I see "FATAL: No bootable medium found! System halted." – nbolton Oct 3 '10 at 22:15
Hm: back then i installed Snow Leopard in VirtualBox 3.2 because of this article: bit.ly/9kkzvm Sadly the link in the article is no longer valid! Maybe you should try the OSW edition (but i'm sure i used the "normal" version) – lajuette Oct 4 '10 at 5:15
Here's a link to the beta, try it out: download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/3.2.0_BETA1 I don't know why they removed the feature. I have to look at this when i got more time. – lajuette Oct 4 '10 at 5:18
Question: Is your 10.5 Disk for a PPC- or Intel-Mac? – lajuette Oct 4 '10 at 16:04
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VMware Fusion, Parallels, & VirtualBox only officially support Mac OS X Server 10.5 and 10.6. The problem is is that the Mac OS X EULA states that Mac OS X may not be virtualized.

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Why the downvote. As far as I can tell, the answer is correct. – sleske Oct 2 '10 at 17:30
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