Handy bit of kit i got the mountain lion install file on my desktop and a 8 gig USB stick in the socket of the mac, load up the app and click create a boot disk it see’s the image file on my desktop and asks if i want to use that then asks me if i want to write it to the USB key inserted. It takes 20/30 mins to create the boot usb key, then use just reboot keeping your finger on the alt key ready for the alternate boot. select the usb key from the icons and install a shiny new version of mountain lion! simples 🙂