Install Disk for Snow Leopard will not boot on an iMac 27in

My Install Disk for Snow Leopard will not boot on my iMac 27in. The Apple Logo is the only thing the user will see. The current OS on the system is 10.6.6. Upon placing the Snow Leopard DVD in the system, the DVD players spins for a few seconds and displays the Apple Logo. Nothing happens after 20 minutes.

Yes, it is ridiculous how it is impossible to install Snow Leopard. I have two Snow Leopard DVDs: one that I purchased for a Macbook soon after it's release (10.6.0), and one that came with my iMac (10.6.4). Both of these boot up my Macbook (running 10.6.7) just fine. My SL 10.6.0 DVD mounts onto my iMac (Lion 10.7.0), but you cannot run the install. I attempted to boot from this DVD and got the infinite white screen and Apple logo, as some have reported above. The other SL 10.6.4 DVD will not even mount in Lion, and will not even show up as a bootable drive when I attempt to select it after holding alt/option on reboot.
I created a bootable external drive from SL 10.6.0, attempted boot, same infinite white screen/apple logo.
I created a bootable external drive from SL 10.6.4 on my macbook. I attempted to boot from this drive, and got the white screen of death, except that this time I actually got the loading symbol underneath the Apple logo. After about a minute of attempting to boot, the Apple logo changed to a circle with a diagonal line through it (the "NO!" sign).
I took my iMac to the genius bar. They inserted SL 10.6.0, which would not boot. Then they determined that my computer had to run 10.6.4 and later. So, they restored an image of SL 10.6.4 onto my partition (not an install from an image, but an image of SL already installed). Hurray! Snow Leopard was successfully shoved onto my iMac!
I then deleted a third partition on my hard drive I did not need anymore, which somehow screwed up my SL partition (even though it said "Will not erase partition SL or Macintosh HD). Now I am back at square one, and I guess I need to take my flippin iMac back to Apple for them to do what I should be able to do.
I like Apple, but sheesh do I hate Lion right now.

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My early Intel iMac running Snow Leopard will not boot past the apple logo. I have tried holding the c key and inserting the install disk, but nothing. What do I try next?

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I have tried resetting PRAM and all other items listed in the Apple support site. This happened after an update to iTunes was added. Also this is happening to other people. Please help.

Snow Leopard will not boot after TM Restore

I had an email issue (lost 5 accounts) that has turned into a nightmare. Apple Support told me to restore my entire hard drive from my Time Machine. I booted to the DVD and selected a restore point and 12 hours later I get the Apple with the spinning wheel. I have tried two restore points - same result. It will not boot in safe mode either. I ran the Verify Drive utility and the drive checks out.
The drive is about 75% full after this TM restore operation so it appears it is pulling all of my data into the machine.
I have a number of backups of my system including a full one on ARQ plus all the TM backups. I am just not versed in the Apple OS enough to know how to recover from this point.
Q's:
1. Is it possible that the data and the Apps have been restored but the OS is simply corrupt on the TM?
2. Is there a Repair feature on the SnoL DVD or am I faced with a fresh install?
3. If I do a fresh install, can I simply copy the Apps folder back in the machine and my apps work correctly? (I realize a few may not that have to have components in browsers or whatever).
Suggestions on recovery approach...
Thanks, Uursa

uursamajor1 wrote:
1. Is it possible that the data and the Apps have been restored but the OS is simply corrupt on the TM?
Welcome to Apple's discussion groups.
That's possible. Once you can get it to boot you can explore that.
2. Is there a Repair feature on the SnoL DVD or am I faced with a fresh install?
Soon after booting from that DVD you should see a Utilities menu with Disk Utility under it. With Disk Utility you can perform a "Repair Disk" operation.
3. If I do a fresh install, can I simply copy the Apps folder back in the machine and my apps work correctly?
You could first try installing OS X 10.6 over what's already there. You might also learn more about what's wrong by doing a "verbose boot':
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492

MacPro with Snow Leopard will not boot

This morning, something odd is happening. Last night, when I sent to bed, my computer was fine, but this morning, when I tried to power it on, it tried to power up and then shut off. Does it every time. When booting from the normal start up disk, the startup chime is heard, then the apple logo appears for a few seconds, the machine clicks a few times and then shuts off.
When I hold down the option key on startup, I can see the boot drive options. So, I tried booting for a CD/DVD, but when I do, it just hangs and never boots. Disc drive spins for a second like it's trying to, but then winds down and hangs on the gray screen. However, I can boot from my Bootcamp drive (not a partition, but an actual, physical drive), and run Windows fine. Even when I try booting with Extensions off (holding Shift on boot up), it still hangs.
I've tried clearing PRAM, unplugging all USB accessories and even removing all non-essential PCI cards, and still nothing.
This is very bizarre. What would keep the Mac OS booting, but not the bootcamp stuff?
Any thoughts?
Russ

I have my system drive backed up. I tried pulling the system drive, inserting a new blank drive and booting from the Snow Leopard install disk to install the OS from scratch. It still won't boot from the DVD OSX install disk, even with the other system disk removed.
The problem seems to be that when booting from anything OSX, the system won't boot, but when booting from Bootcamp, it'll boot fine.
From the Windows side, I can see the Mac startup drive and all the files, so that disk is readable, at least. Just not bootable.
I talked to Apple tech support as well. They can't figure out either. Headed to the Genius bar this afternoon. Maybe they can figure out.
Russ

Macbook pro (snow leopard) will not boot after software update

I helped my mom buy a Macbook Pro for herself for Christmas. Today, I connected it to her old eMac and used the migration assistant to transfer files over. It was unable to estimate migration time on the only user (after 45 minutes) so I didn't migrate the user. Then I tried to pair her macbook to her new bluetooth keyboard, but no magic happened, so I tried to use the bluetooth setup assistant, which crashed. So I ran a software update, hoping that this would fix whatever the bluetooth problem is. Despite having updated on the 23rd, there were 4 updates. None seemed applicable but I installed them anyway. Now the computer won't boot at all.
Software update said that I had to restart for the updates to take effect, so I restarted. The harddrive went whirrrrrr and the grey screen with the apple logo and the spinning circle displayed. Then the harddrive stopped going whirrrr and 10 minutes later, I started looking on the support site for what to do. I found this:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=10564149&#10564149
Per the instructions in the last post, I fscked the drive (although -f, in accordance with the fsck help). This found no problems. The next suggestion was to boot from the OSX install disk. Only one problem-- there was a disk in the disk drive when the problem occurred and the disk eject button apparently only works while in the gui. I can't install from disk if I can't get the existing disk out of the drive.
So, any other ideas on what I can do to get this machine to boot?
Message was edited by: jenlarkin

Hi Jen:
Since it's new, you're entitled to 90 days of phone support (3 years if you buy AppleCare). It sounds to me like you may have some hardware issue(s) going on - you should not have the sorts of issues you're having with a new Mac. Apple will probably be much better and faster about getting you fixed than this board may be able to if that is the case.

Snow Leopard will not boot on new SSD

I purchased a 120 GB SSD for my 2007 MBP (A1226) and installed it. The old drive crashed and I am looking for a clean install - not time machine. I have tried to boot from the OSX 10.6 Install Disk but it keeps getting stuck!
1. I power on the MBP
2. When the chime sounds, I hold down the option button
3. The screen gives me the option to select the disk
4. The apple logo is displayed and the little spinning wheel thing goes on for a while
5. It goes to a light blue/gray screen and then doesn't do anything.
I'd really appreciate some guidance. I am not proficient at computer repairs. I'm just trying to get this machine spun up for my wife and kids to use for email/internet.
Thanks!
Finch

Hello,
First, you have to erase (format) the new SSD drive before installation.
I first watched this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfiGF_pjqvM
Here it is also step by step:
Upgrading Your MacBook Pro with a Solid State Drive
Good luck!

Damaged install disk for Snow leopard. How can I restore from timemachine

Hello,
I got SMART warning about my hard disk, I got it replaced by a shop, but said I would do OS restore myself. (cant afford cost )
Thought it would be simple - but it is anything but.
It appears my install DVD is damaged, so was not able to boot with Grey OS install disk - holding the C key.
I managed to get iMac to boot up using the old disk - using firewire dock. However I was not able to restore old disk and OS to new disk, Due to IO read error.
(this is why I had the SMART warning).
So I am unable to get the OS on the new HD using the old disk or the DVD as these are both damaged.
The computer is running, so I thought I would try buying and downloading LION - then using the migration tool . The download is still running after 2 days.
I went to apple store, and was told that they cannot replace DVD , so I should bring in the iMac = and pay for the restore. Dont wish to do this.
As I have the computer and OS running, is there anything I can do to get a time machine restore from another backup disk (USB).
This I hope would resolve my woes.......

Call Apple Customer Support 1-800-767-2775 (telephone numbers for other countries - http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57). Provide the serial number and specifications of the Mac.
Sorry - my profile is wrong. Disk is 10.6.2 It is the original disk that came with the machine.
Garbage in, garbage out.

I bought a new HD to install into my 2009 macbook pro. I cannot find my install disk for Snow Leopard. Can I install one of the newer OS's without a disk?

Is there a way to either reinstall the OSX version that is currently on my Macbook Pro, onto the new HD or do I have to have the Snow Leopard disk and then upgrade to the newer versions all over again?

Depending on your processor and RAM installed, you can install lion from the app store under the apple drop down menu. You have to have at least 2 GB of RAM installed and you have to have an intel core 2 duo processor to run Lion. This you can find out in "About This Mac" under the apple drop down menu. That is the only OS that's newer than yours and one that isn't installed from a disc
hope this helps

Snow Leopard will not boot from CD...

I need to repair my hard drive with disk utility. I am unable to boot from my install disk. Only apple logo appears and nothing loads... thanks for your help...

Always good to have a bootable 2nd hard drive to run repairs. And, to have 3rd party tools available, which can't use on DVD. Also, using the original DVD is less than optimal for repairing a drive or permissions (Disk Utility routines do change and get updated).
A corrupt directory on any of your hard drives can prevent booting; some people found that after installing SL they had trouble with their superdrive, too.
If you can boot into single user mode, try that and try using fsck from there.

After upgrade to mountain lion a hd with snow leopard will not boot and run the MBP

Upgraded MacBook Pro to 10.8.2. Works fine. Swapped out the internal hard drive with 10.8.2 on it, put in the old hard drive with 10.6.8 and booted up as per usual. Mac fires up but dos not finish the boot process and it leaves me with an on and off pulsating gray folder that has a question mark on it. I have tried a brand new drive with a new 10.6.8 installed and it misbehaves the same way.
Does the Apple store upgrade process alter the internal MacBook Pro or its software in any way? I was not, am not aware of such software. I want to be able to carry along two hard drives, swappable, with different OSX and applications when I go out to help people out of their problems. Something I have done successfully for the past 15 years - free of charge, I might add.
This is the first time that I am stumped. I am not a programmer btw.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Meanwhile I shall keep on muckng about.

Your problem is that your old HD is no longer blessed. if you can, connect both drives at the smae time, then
First, open the “Startup Disk” preference pane and select “Mac OS X” as the operating system to boot. This will re-bless your Mac OS X volume on the older install.
No need to delete or zero the drive at all.
What makes a volume bootable? / Frequently Asked Questions and ...

I have Os Lion on my mac book pro, im not a fan of this because i cant run many games, i have the disk for snow leopard my machine came with but i get a error saying "unable to unmount disc" when i try erase my hard drive i just want OS SL back any help?

I have Os Lion on my mac book pro, im not a fan of this because i cant run many games, i have the disk for snow leopard my machine came with but i get a error saying "unable to unmount disc" when i try erase my hard drive i just want OS SL back any help?
many thanks Carl.

You must boot from another drive in order to erase the system drive.
Try starting up with Snow Leopard DVD inserted and C depress. That should get you booted from the DVD. Then start Disk Utitlity from DVD and erase the disk then you should be able to install Snow Leopard.
Remember that everything will be removed from the disk when you erase it and install Snow Leopard so backup first.
Allan

Snow Leopard will not install if you do not have 1GB RAM or more

I ran into one problem when I tried to install snow leopard, The problem was I throught my Macbook had 1 GB of RAM in it, then after I my first try on install then it mentioned I did not have 1 GB of RAM, so I checked it and I only have 512 MB, so that is low and I have a 1st Generation Macbook, So now I ordered a 2 GB of RAM for my MacBook I'm waiting for the memory to arrive so I can install it into my Macbook, then I will install snow leopard.
Snow Leopard will not install if you do not have 1GB RAM or more, but if you have 1GB or more in your Macs then you will be fine

The system requirements for the OS have been public knowledge on every major tech blog, apple fan blog, apple rumor site and Apple's site for at least 4+ months. So it's not like they just decided at the 11th hour that you needed 512MB of RAM. Not to mention, just about every piece of software I've ever purchased has the system requirements printed in a very tiny print in a very un-obvious place on the packaging. So that's nothing new... for Apple and the rest of the software manufacturing world.
As the consumer, it's your responsibility to do the appropriate research (either online, over the phone or asking the sales rep) what requirements are necessary.

How do I reinstall Lion if I get a new hard drive? My mac came with Leopard and I cannot find my upgrade disk for Snow Leopard

My MacBook Pro originally came with Leopard. I have the OS and Applications disks for Leopard but I cannot find my upgrade disk for Snow Leopard. I would like to perform a clean install of Lion on the new hard drive and restore some data from my Time Machine backup. I am not looking to restore the current image to my new hard drive. I have not yet removed the exisiting hard drive nor have I wiped my data.

The only way to do that is to buy a New SL Retail DVD. Or you could buy the Lion Install USB thumb drive from Apple for $69.
You must have SL installed to then install Lion or have a thumb drive with the Lion installer.
You could also create a Lion USB Recovery thumb drive using Lion Disk Assistant. But you need to have Lion already installed and the Lion RecoveryHD Partition on your drive to make the Recovery thumb drive.
Lion Recovery Disk Assistant

I have an 06' macbook and I just bought an 07' macbook.. The 06' has os x 10.6 but the 07' has 10.5.. I no longer have the disk for snow leopard. Is there ANY way to get snow leopard from the old computer to the other without having to buy it again?

I have an 06' macbook and I just bought an 07' macbook.. The 06' has os x 10.6 but the 07' has 10.5.. I no longer have the disk for snow leopard. Is there ANY way to get snow leopard from the old computer to the other without having to buy it again?

Technical issues aside, there's still a legal issue.
Neither 2006 nor 2007 MacBooks shipped with Snow Leopard 'factory' installed. OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard became available in September 2009. So you purchased and installed a Snow Leopard upgrade disc on the 2007 system at some point.
If your Snow Leopard upgrade was a single-user copy, then legally, you need to purchase another one for the second computer. If your Snow Leopard upgrade was a Family Pack 5-user license, then you're good to go.
http://store.apple.com/us/question/answers/product/MC574Z/A?pqid=QTUXD7AF4YU9FJD YUTDPCKYKUDDDXKHTK
If you have an active MobileMe account, Apple was giving away a single-user upgrade copy of Snow Leopard for a limited time, and you should have received an email with a link, or been offered the opportunity when you signed in to your MobileMe account on the web:
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/04/24/free-snow-leopard-discs-for-mobileme-users-n ow-arriving/
Worst case, single-user Snow Leopard upgrade discs are $29 retail, direct from Apple. I'd hate to have two computers and no OS installation CD's for whatever version I'm currently using.

How do I download the Install DVD for Snow Leopard?

Can I download the Install DVD for Snow Leopard?

Apart from purchasing, not much. I would ensure you've looked everywhere.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A

Install Disk for Snow Leopard will not boot on an iMac 27in

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