"Mac OS X cannot be installed on 'Macintosh HD'. This disk is used for Time Machine backups."

I am trying to upgrade our MacBook to Snow Leopard, but when prompted to select which hard drive to install on and "Macintosh HD" is selected, the following message generates: "Mac OS X cannot be instaled on  'Macintosh HD'. This disk is used for Time Machine backups."
I disabled Time Machine switched it "off," put it in the trash can, then "Secure Emptied" the trash can. I also rebooted. Then I connected an external hard drive thinking that might help, but for some reason I still cannot proceed with the Snow Leopard upgrade because "the disk is used for Time Machine backups."
WHAT is the DEAL!?

It doesn't sound like an upgrade would work very well anyway. Make sure you have a good backup and repartition the startup volume. Then install Snow Leopard onto the hard drive and migrate your old users and applications.

Similar Messages

  • Mac OS X cannot be installed on "Macintosh HD"  This disk is used for Time Machine backups-can you help in layman terms?

    I know there are discussions out there regarding this but my system is 10.5.8, I know how to turn the computer on and run some programs but understanding partitions, etc...forget it.  I have programs on my computer I don't want to lose, images in photoshop that, if lost, I would kill myself so please help me in basic English terms...what the heck do I need to do to update to OS X so I can feel inferior again when I update to OS 7?

    Somehow, your internal HD got selected as the destination for TM backups, perhaps long ago.
    That left a Backups.backupdb folder at the top level of your internal HD.
    All you need to do is open your internal HD (probably named Macintosh HD) via the Finder, locate and delete that folder.

  • I am trying to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard.  When I insert the disk and install starts, it states "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and Mac OSX can't be installed.  Does anyone know how to correct this (since Tiger doesn't have Time Mach

    I am trying to upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard.  When I insert the disk and install starts, it states "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" and Mac OSX can't be installed.  Does anyone know how to correct this (since Tiger doesn't have Time Machine)?

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986

  • Lion Install does not work, says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups"

    I'm having trouble installing Lion onto my macbook pro intel core 2 duo. 
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    I'm hearing that a file called "Backups.backupdb" is on the top level of the hard drive, but I see no such file.  I've looked at the invisible files and I cant find it.
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    "Backups.backupdb" if the file in Time Machine.  As the discussion says, you have to find that file and trash it.  Try spotlight to locate it.  If that does not work, down load OmniDiskSweeper from the Internet (free) and go through an organized search to find "Backups.backupdb".  If that takes too long or is too tedious, then if you have everything backed up, erase the HDD and start from square one.
    Ciao.

  • Unable to install Lion. Installer says disk is used for Time Machine backups. But it's my Mac's HD.

    On attempt to install Lion from CD, the installer says: "Mac OSX cannot be installed on "Macintosh HD". This disk is used for Time Machine backups."
    I have an external drive that I've been using for Time Machine backups, but it stopped functioning recently and I have not replaced it.
    Is there a workaround?
    Thx in advance. Bryant

    Maybe this http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986 can help you.
    Stefan

  • In the installation process lion will not install as message  reads MAC HD 904 gb available this disk is used for time machine backups .What is the next step

    After downloading ,completing the lic agreement phase, the next step is where to install and automatically' MAC HD with 904 gb available this disk is used for time machine backups' is shown and installation is blocked .
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    Time machine needs its own partition to operate. So you are not going install a OSx Lion on that volume.
    If there is enough room you may be able to partition the drive on the fly with DiskUtility
    Are you saying you clean installed Lion and you are trying to move your user Data over with TM via the migration Assistant?  Please explain.

  • Cannot install Mountain Lion on my hard disc, as I keep getting the message" 'This disk is used for Time Machine backups'. Which it isn't - I don't use Time Machine

    Cannot install Mountain Lion on my hard disc, as I keep getting the message" 'This disk is used for Time Machine backups'. Which it isn't - I don't use Time Machine

    Check to see if you have a folder named "Backups.backupdb" at the root level of your hard disk. That can cause this error message.

  • I can't install OS X mountain Lion to my macbook pro. It says when I'm trying to choose the disk, (This disk is used for time machine backups'. What can I do about it? thanks!

    I can't install OS X mountain Lion to my macbook pro. It says when I'm trying to choose the disk, (This disk is used for time machine backups'. What can I do about it? thanks!

    From the Finder's Go menu, choose Computer:
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    Look for this folder:
    Drag it to the Trash.

  • Can't install Lion This disk is used for Time Machine backups

    The Lion installer, downloaded from the app store, won't let me select my internal hard disk, it says "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" which it isn't.
    Any ideas?
    Thanks
    Neil

    I was sure that I had trashed the Backups.backupdb folder from the top level - it did require me to enter my Admin password.
    Yes I had tried several times to go back to the terms of agreement screen and click agree once again, but still had the problem.
    I had external HDs connected, but disconnected them and the problem persisted.
    I restarted my mac and now the message has gone away and I am having no problems installing.
    Thanks everyone

  • Can't install Yosemite because my startup disk is used for Time Machine backups?

    Tried to install Yosemite, but when I get to the screen which asks which disk I want to install it on, it won't allow me to select my computer's hard drive because "This disk is used for Time Machine backups." Any suggestions?

    Because at the time I originally set it up I couldn't afford an external drive for a real backup, but thought it would be useful to have Time Machine copies in case I accidentally deleted a file or changed my mind about having done so. Once I finally got that external drive and started backing up to it, I forgot I had Time Machine files an my startup disc and didn't know that would be a problem. Anyway, thanks for the info, that fixed my problem.

  • Can't install Lion on my HD.  Says this disk is used for time machine backups

    I just downloaded Lion to install on my 2008 macbook and i can't get past the window that asks me to select the disk where I want Lion installed.  It says my hard disk is used for time machine backups.  Any suggestions on how I can select my hd to install Lion?
    Thanks

    That means there is a directory on your HD called something like backups. backupdb
    It thinks you're using the drive for TM.  Delete this directory and it will then load.
    Regards,
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  • Cannot install mountain lion keep getting "This disk is used for Time Machine backups" when trying to install, HELP!!!

    Ok i currently have Lion on my early 2011 15" MBP. When i try to install Mountain Lion to my mac HD it keeps telling me I cannot because its used for time machine backups. I have done a search and I know I have to delete the backups.backupdb folder but I cannot find it for the life of me. If anyone can help I would really appreciate, thanks!
    Nik

    If you double-click on your hard drive icon the Backups.backupd folder should be on the root level of your drive. Sometimes OS X gets confused and incorrectly puts a Backups.backupd folder on your hard drive. That folder should only appear on a drive used for Time Machine
    If you can't find the Backups.backupd folder try using the free EasyFind with both Package Contents and Invisible Files & Folders checked. Search for "Backups.backupd" without the quotes on your hard drive (default selection), not your Time Machine drive. Right-click on the search result and choose to Reveal in Finder. Click on the link that kisuke3 provided and follow those directions
    If you can't find a Backups.backupd folder anywhere try booting into Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key right after you hear the startup chime. Keep holding the Shift key down until you see the Apple Logo. The progress bar that appears indicates the progress of the file check that Safe Mode automatically does. Give it time to finish.
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  • Error message when trying to install mavericks. It won't let me select a disk to install Mavericks on. Message says "This disk is used to Time Machine backups."  It is NOT used for back ups. help

    When trying to chose a disk on which to install mavericks I get a message that says "this disk is used for Time Machine backups" and cannot be used.  Help!

    I don't know what will help at this point. You should never update a system that has problems, unless you're absolutely sure that the problems are caused by a bug that is fixed in the update. With your backups in an uncertain state, you should not update or do anything else except start a new backup.

  • Can't install - my disk is used for Time Machine backups

    I only have one hard disk. And it has Time Machine turned on. Mountain Lion won't let me install on this disk, saying
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    I'm ASSUMING this means that I cannot install ML on a Time Machine disk.
    Is this right?
    So, do I turn off Time Machine to get ML to install?

    I deleted Backups.backupdb.
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  • Install problem because disk is used for Time Machine backups?

    I am currently running OS 10.6.8 on a MacBook Pro 15 inch.  I just purchased Mountain Lion from the App Store and I am trying to install, but it tells me that it can't install on my hard drive because "This disk is used for time machine backups".  Which as far as I can tell is not even true, because I have set up an external hard drive for the Time Machine backups.  So I can't get past this screen and install.  What can I do?

    Low possibility, but check System Preferences/Time Machine to make sure the hard drive isn't listed. While there, turn off Time Machine and try the install again. If that doesn't work, disconnect your external drive, restart and try the install again.
    Also see these discussions.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/19033168#19033168
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/15699444#15699444

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