Can I use install discs (Snow Leopard) from MBPro to upgrade desktop?

I'm having issues with my iMac (mid 2007) which has been upgraded to Leopard so far (when Leopard came out). I have Snow Leopard discs that came with my Mac Book Pro. If I do a clean install of my iMac, can I use the Snow Leopard discs to do the new install? What worries me is that the discs specifically say "13 inch MacBook Pro" Mac OSX Install DVD. Does this mean I can't use them on my desktop? Are their install discs specifically for laptops vs desktops?

Nancy Alineri wrote:
I'm having issues with my iMac (mid 2007) which has been upgraded to Leopard so far (when Leopard came out). I have Snow Leopard discs that came with my Mac Book Pro. If I do a clean install of my iMac, can I use the Snow Leopard discs to do the new install? What worries me is that the discs specifically say "13 inch MacBook Pro" Mac OSX Install DVD. Does this mean I can't use them on my desktop? Are their install discs specifically for laptops vs desktops?
You can not use the disks intended for the MBP on your iMac. Buy a retail copy of SL ($29) or contact Apple for a replacement of the original disks for the iMac.

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Missing install disc (Snow Leopard) for OS X upgrade

Hi, I am going to upgrade to Mountain Lion OS X from Snow Leopard 10.6.8 when it releases, however, I DO NOT have the original SL Install Disc.
I read that there are certain steps that one needs to take to prepare a computer for this upgrade so that it goes smoothly. One of the things on the list is to do a hard drive verification for errors. I can do this in Utilities but it prompts me for the Install Disc in order to repair. It shows two minor errors (Invalid Volume File Count, Invalid Volume Directory Count) that need to be addressed and repaired but I can not continue without the Install Disc. Any suggestions?
Also, a friend has the same SL version install disc. Can I use his or do I need the ORIGINAL one that was originally installed with my iMac? I don't know if the MODEL INDENTIFIER, BOOT ROM VERSION and SMC VERSION will be affected since they are two different machines. Please help!
I can always contact Apple but was trying to avoid any additional costs of replacing the disc since I plan on purchasing a disc for the upgrade to Mountain Lion.
FYI, my iMac runs flawlessly right now and is loaded with software. I am so afraid I will have issues with software if I use another disc and I don't want to go through reinstalling all my software programs. It is a lot. I am hoping it will be okay but I wanted to ask anyone on here first.
Can anyone advise?

Firstly, order the Snow Leopard DVD from Apple's Online Store even if you don't currently need it. Download and save the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 updater in your Downloads folder.
Secondly, you can use your friend's Snow Leopard DVD to do disk and permissions repairs, but not to install OS X on your machine.
Thirdly, follow these instructions:
How to Install Mountain Lion Successfully - You must have Snow Leopard 10.6.7 or 10.6.8 Installed
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.3.) if DW cannot fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall Snow Leopard.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the backup volume. Source means the internal startup volume.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
D. To upgrade to Mountain Lion:
Purchase the Mountain Lion Installer from the Mac App Store. The download will start quickly. Mountain Lion is around 4 GBs so a fast internet connection is essential. Download time could run upwards of 4 hours depending upon network conditions and server demands at the time.
The installer will start automatically after the download is complete. You should save a copy in your Downloads folder because the installer will delete itself automatically after the installation is complete.
Follow instructions for installation.

I have a July 2011 mini with Lion 10.8 (MC815LL/A). Can I back install to Snow Leopard

I have a July 2011 mini with Lion 10.8 (MC815LL/A). Can I back install to Snow Leopard?

No. That model originally came with Lion, not Snow Leopard. You cannot boot Snow Leopard on that model. Lion is 10.7, not 10.8. The latter is Mountain Lion.

Can I revert back to Snow Leopard from Lion?

Hey guys,
Last night i upgraded to Lion. Have since found out my Focusrite 24 DSP audio interface wont work with Lion (No Drivers yet).... can i simply re-install Leopard from the install discs that came with my imac until such time as drivers become available for my hardware, then re-install Lion? Can this be done without clearing my entire hard-drive and starting again?
Cheers
Sean

mscys wrote:
If you have a complete Time Machine backup of your previous Snow Leopard system, going back to SL is really quite easy.
Just boot from the Lion Recovery partition (option key at startup) and choose to restore from Time Machine backup. (You'll be able to see your last dated and identified SL backup, even if you'd already been using TM with Lion.) It will erase the drive for you and restore a bootable SL. No DVD required.
Works great.
(If you don't have a complete TM backup, then you'll have to wipe the drive, install SL and updates, then use Migration Assistant to bring over your partial TM backup, ie: does not include system and apps.)
Thanks very much for this. I've just restored Snow Leopard from Time Machine, and it only took 30 mins. Worked perfectly. Now I have an OS that works properly (hooray!).
Bob.

Can I use my MacMini Snow Leopard disks when installing Windows on my iMac?

I want to install Win 7 on my iMac this weekend, but I forgot my Snow Leopard install disks at my parent's and probably won't be able to get them for a couple weeks. Those install disks were the full distribution, not the disks that came with my iMac (those disks have 10.5).
I do, however, have a new MacMini that has SL install disks. Would those be good enough? Or could I use the older 10.5 install disks that came with the iMac (it's running 10.6.2 now) and then upgrade later with the Boot Camp 3.1 exe?
Thanks!

I guess that is progress.
Can you get your DVD sent? or email the 950MB you need or postal ship on USB to get 3.0?
A lot of times drivers for chip can be downloaded from vendor.
With wireless, I think people have complained of problems even with Apple's drivers. I'm sure you don't want to but maybe a cheap wired mouse/kb for now?
When I just installed BC 3.0 it downgraded my Realtek audio, not upgrade (removing old drivers to install new is what it erroneously said).
When I bought 10.5.0 it had "2.0" but the same old BC 1.4 drivers. Then bought 10.5.6 a year later, had new drivers, not posted online, not via ASU or any update. I know people have said that new Macs have later 3.x drivers and I'm sure next summer would be better. Also, Windows 7 SP1 will be out next Aug/Sept also.

Can my macbook pro mid 2007 3.1 AA896ll/a handle a SSD and how do I make the switch. Can I do a clean install of Snow Leopard from an original cd

Here is my problem, I want to upgrade my macbook pro mid 2007 3.1 AA896ll/a to an Solid State Drive, a Crucial m4 256 gb, I want to know if the macbook will be able to handle it and how do I do the switch. also once I install the drive will I be able to boot from my Snow Leoard original cd and do a clean install. Thank you

Coming from a 5,400 RPM drive that's nearly filled up, fragmented and deoptimized to a fresh install of OS X on a SSD will of course be a improvement.
However fresh installing OS X on a new 5,400 RPM will also see a improvement, boot up in 30 seconds.
A fresh install of OS X on a new 7,200 RPM drive will also see a improvement, boot up in 25 seconds.
A fresh install of OS X on a new SSD will see the best improvement, boot up in 20 seconds on fast SATA connections.
OS X still requires time to setup and that takes about 20 seconds despite how fast your boot drive is, that's why sleep was created.
Things to consider: The higher cost of a SSD, the limiting capacity (hard drives hold way more up), the SATA I speed limitations (slows up on large file transfers), the difficulty to scrub the SSD of unwanted data (like you can a hard drive), and it's limited write capability. Also the smaller SSD's are faster than the larger ones.
SSD's are shock proof, which is their slight advantage over hard drives.
I see a 120GB SSD in a SATA I machine as being a waste, it's too small of a storage space (500GB+ is ideal), the SATA I connection is slow and other factors that make a 7,200 RPM drive a better option in that machine.
One can get a 750 GB 7,200 RPM hard drive for about the same price and still maximize their boot time in the process, also being able to scrub their drive of unwanted data easily.
SSD's can't be scrubbed, one has to fill 50% of the remaining space with many, very small files to overwrite the free space, then do another 50% again to defeat the Trim/wear leveling as SSD's write to less used location each time. If one fills a OS X boot drive up completely, it won't function or won't boot up.
If you do this fill routine regularly with software, then you prematurely wear out the SSD as it has limited writes. Why Disk Utility doesn't offer zero or 7x erase for SSD's.
If your in the 10% of Internet traffic that's going to adult sites, then the ability to scrub the caches and storage drive of embarrassing unwanted data is a necessity. Especially in the light of software and hardware that can read the SSD of deleted data.
Trick links and redirects on poisoned sites can firebomb your Mac with some pretty bad pictures and your hidden caches as well, especially if you don't like to pay.
IT personal have at their disposal free open source forensic software that basically aggregates all the past behavior done on the machine into a nice, easy to view format with times, dates and when and where content was downloaded from.
Since one has to give up their password for repair folks to recover data and fix the machine...
I think a SSD is less of a benefit over a 7,200 hard drive for that particular model of Mac for a mere few seconds faster boot time.

Can I use Tiger and Snow Leopard on my Mac Pro?

I have a 3 year old Mac Pro with 2 internal hard drives installed by Apple at the time of purchase. At present, I'm using Tiger 10.4.11. I've purchased Snow Leopard (The Family Pack with 5 licenses) and have installed it on my MacBook Pro.
I haven't put Snow Leopard on my Mac Pro since it is my main, workhorse computer and I have several older applications that aren't compatible with Snow Leopard.
My question is: Can I install Snow Leopard on my second internal drive and leave Tiger on the main drive? That way I could use either system by changing the start-up drive to the system I want to use. Is this possible, or advisable? Will it work or cause problems?
Another question: If one of the drives needs repair, could I boot up in the other drive and run Disk Utility to make the repairs instead of booting the computer from the original software CD? (I'm having a problem finding the original Tiger 10.4 System CD in my organizationally challenged graphic design and illustration studio.)
Thanks for any help anyone can offer.
Specs:
MacPro1,1
Dual-Core Intel Xeon (Intel)
2.66 GHz
Two hard drives each with two 512 MB RAM chips
Bay 1: Intel 232.89 GB drive
Bay 2: Intel 465.76 GB drive

Been hiding or not backing up and keeping bootable spares?
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
http://www.google.com/search?q=clonemac+osx

Can I use a German Snow Leopard upgrade for my US iMac running Leopard?

I just read that for certain Intel based iMac's it is still possible to upgrade to Maverick. I'd need to upgrade from Leopard to Snow Leopard, first, to start the process. The issue is that I'm in Germany. The German Apple site sells the Snow Leopard upgrade, but I don't know if I can use it to upgrade my US iMac (early 2008/Intel based/ running 10.5.8)? Does anybody know if there is a difference between the German and the US version?

No difference what so ever other than the printing on the media.

Can I revert back to Snow Leopard from Mountain Lyon ?

Since updateing to Snow leopard my computer has become very slow. The nice man at the White Cathedral said it was because of the age of my computer (bought 2007) and he wouldn't advice me to update to this level. I now wish to revert back to Snow Leopard. Is it Possible and how do you do it. I have a complete Time Machine backup on an external drive.
My computer is an iMac, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4GB SDRAM.

Thanks to everyone for their help. It would appear that I want be able to access my documents from the Mountain Lion Time Machine backup disk after I have reverted to Snow Leopard. I guess I'm just stuck with a very slow machine.

How come you can't use FACETIME with Snow Leopard 10.6.8

How come facetime wont' work with Snow Leopard 10.6.8? when i try and do an update like the Facetime program suggest it just keeps giving me this error message. HELP please THanks

Hello, lustige luka.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
The Personal Hotspot feature using USB should be as simple as connecting the device to your Mac via the USB cable when Hotspot is enabled. Here is some more information regarding this feature and an article that will provide some troubleshooting steps if you are experiencing an issue.
iOS: Understanding Personal Hotspot
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4517
iOS: Troubleshooting Personal Hotspot
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2756
Cheers,
Jason H.

Can I use have booth Snow Leopard and Tiger on my mac mini?

I have a newer Mac Mini with OS 10.6.5, and I have a Quark Xpress program that won't work on this newer version. Is there a way to install the older Tiger 10.4.11 and toggle back and forth between the two OS's so I can use my Quark program? I really don't want to spring for the expensive update.

Hi
I'm not tired but fair comment all the same. Posting links to other threads is common on these boards as you already know. Only you would know why you think it's off-putting? I personally don't have a problem with it. My response was to the other poster. The link I posted was to give the OP as much information as possible (is that not being helpful?) rather than the simple Yes or No. I made no mention of using search terms or anything else. Forums ToUs already deal with it which OP should have read.
Tony

How can I go back to Snow Leopard from lion without loosing files, etc.?

I recently downloaded Mac OS X Lion, but I can't stand it. I've heard you can't get a refund from the app store but I'm not sure how that works and I'd realy like my money back. Also, if I do downgrade, I'm not sure how to back up my files. I have music, documents, and pictures I don't want to lose. I don't have time machine. I have a usb but I'm not sure if it is capable of holding music from itunes? Other than that I'm not sure how else to back up things. I realize I have a lot of questions and I'm not exactly well informed with this stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated (:

See Kappy's going back to SL from Lion guide and Bombich's Get Ready for Lion tutorial.

Can I Install Snow Leopard From USB On Another Mac?

Hello everyone,
I own a 2010 macbook air that came with a snow leopard usb drive.
I've recently been given a 2008 macbook 4,1 that is running leopard. I'd like to install snow leopard on this and use it as a secondary computer. Will I be able to use the usb stick from my macbook air to update this computer from leopard to snow leopard? If updating won't work would I be able to perform a fresh install of snow leopard from my usb drive? Or is my only option to purchase a snow leopard dvd from apple?
Thanks.

Ah! Thank you, Niel. Forgot about the "weird" Air models without any kind of optical drive. I realize to get the Air models as thin as Apple did required the removal of such a drive, but virtually every user who bought one had to then go out and buy an external DVD drive anyway so they could install their other purchased software.

Re-install Snow Leopard from TimeMachine backup

Hey guys,
What is the advance of re-installing Snow Leopard from a TimeMachine Backup, cause it installs just like before?? Or does it remove some (crap)files??
Thnx

Gizburdt wrote:
I backuped my MAcbook (Snow). But it is running a little bit slow, so i want to re-install it from the backup. But I wonder, if i re-install it from the backup. Isn't it slow again, cause It installs all the files back on my Macbook.
If you do a full restore of your system, almost everything will be put back. The only things missing will be the ones that Time Machine excludes automatically: system work files, most caches, your logs, trash, etc. So unless you have a corrupted cache (which is much easier to fix by clearing it), it's not going to help much, if at all. The only exception would be, if your HD is nearly full and badly fragmented, it may speed up a bit, but not for long. A much better solution would be to delete some old stuff.
If you do a new install of Snow Leopard from your Install disc (and load the "combo" update), that will get you a new version of OSX without touching your apps or other files. So if there's a problem with your installation of OSX, that may fix it.

Help Please! Trying to do a clean install of Snow Leopard on a new drive

I'm trying to help a family member with his Mac Mini.
He installed a new HD and we're trying to do a clean install of Snow Leopard from the DVD. I've tried booting to the DVD by holding the C key during boot up and that does nothing. I've tried mounting his HD on my Macbook and installing that way and that doesn't work either.
How do I install this if you don't have an OS on you drive to boot up to?

Michael Brown1 wrote:
I was able to boot it in target disk mode by holding T. I formatted the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) I've read in a couple places about GUID but I can't find that as an option on the Disk Utility.
Partition tab, Options button.
Is it possible to load the OS onto the Mini from my Macbook? I can see the installation DVD and the HD on the mini from my Macbook, but when I try to install I get a warning that it can't be installed on that volume.
It's been a while since I tried something like that, but it worked in the past. It may be complaining because the partition table is not set correctly.
I couldn't find anything about installing on another drive. I did find this old [MacFixIt article|http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10329087-263.html] that you might find useful if you've got an external drive. Essentially, you partition it (not necessary for what you want), make an image of the Installer and then restore the image to the external drive. You can then use that drive as the boot drive. That was for Leopard, so I don't know if it will work.

Can I use install discs (Snow Leopard) from MBPro to upgrade desktop?

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