I needed to install os x on a new drive (I’m replacing my 250GB drive with a 500GB one). Not wanting to be without the computer during the entire install process, I dug around in the install disc for the actual installer package. And sure enough, works perfectly fine.
So to do this, I just
- popped my new drive into a SATA enclosure/dock
- ran open /Volumes/Mac\ OS\ X\ Install\ DVD/System/ in a terminal window
- Doubleclicked OSInstall.mpkg
- Followed the installer