Can Not Install Mac OS X on this computer (MacBook)

Puzzles me: Brand new refurb. MacBook with 10.5 installed.
Repartitioned the drive to get two partitions and tried to use my Full Retail OS 10.5 disk to re-install.
Get error after the language selection: cannot install Mac OS X on this computer...
Same thing if I restart with an external drive and try to install from the retail disk to the MacBook's drive. I just can't imagine why I need to use the included machine specific disks instead of the retail version. I know it works if I take the drive out and mount it via FireWire to another Mac.
So what gives?

Your other answer had probably in the sentence.
I looked but could not find it so, as I remember, when Leopard retail came out with all the drivers and libraries for both PPC and Intel and some users were trying to install Tiger on new Leopard MacBooks and, like me, other cross installs, Apple released a short note that said only the install disk would work on the MacBook, not the retail. No reason was given. You have a better life because of it and your computing life is richer too.
Research Apple Partition Map and GUID. Do what you know works.

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Problem "Can not install Mac OS X on this computer"

Trying to upgrade from 10.2.8 to 10.4 (with a CDROM not DVD) on a G4.
Plenty of memory, hard drive, and processor speed.
Will not complete "Computer Check"
Keep getting error "Can not install Mac OS X on this computer"
Mac on line support FAQ said this
*+Computer check+*
*+The Mac OS X Installer makes sure your computer can use the version of Mac OS X you're trying to install.+*
*+Troubleshooting tip: If you see a message that you cannot install Mac OS X on this computer, even though it should work with Mac OS X, you may need to install a firmware update. Restart your computer from the hard drive and install the latest firmware available for your computer.+*
Well I tried all of this, firmware update said I already had the most up to date firmware installed. So I am stuck and need a little advice...
PLEASE HELP!!!

Welcome To  Discussions skatam1!
Additional info in these links.
Using OS X Install CDs/DVDs On Multiple Macs
What's A Computer Specific Mac OS X Release
Software Update, Upgrade: What's The Difference?
You should contact the vendor, and request a refund, or an exchange for a Full Retail Version, of the Tiger Install DVD.
If that is not an option, advise if you would like purchasing information.
Be sure not to, again accept grey, upgrade or machine specific CDs or DVDs.
The discs should look exactly like the images in the above links, and not say Upgrade, CPU Drop-in DVD, or "This software is part of a hardware bundle purchase - not to be sold seperately." on them.
If your Mac doesn’t have a built-in DVD-ROM player, you will have to use an alternative method of installation.
Info here Installing Tiger Without A DVD Drive.
And here Installing Tiger Using Firewire Target Disk Mode.
The Tiger Media Exchange Program, referred to in those articles, is no longer available.
ali b

Window can not find a system image on this computer

I have HPPavilion dv6 3134se notebook.when I purchased.its operating system was windows 7 home basic.My friend suggest me to upgrade windows 7 ultimate.he also give dvd of windows 7.i have installed it.after3days a message appear from microsoft.that your copy is not original.ITry to get my previous windows 7 home basic.when i press F 11&force to recovery amessage apear tahat window can not find a system image on this computer.I try to my level find it a message appear.thatspecify the location of the system image.How search system image on the network pleasehelp me with url address&my hp recovery partion also now not loki ngcomputer.i hope some one help me.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi,
You're welcome, glad it helped
All the best,
DP-K
****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
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Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

Error Saying I Cannot Install Mac OS X On This Computer?

Hey,
I've been having a lot of issues with Leopard and all the 2.2 issues going around. I went to the apple store and he told me to use a retail DVD instead of the ones that came with my computer, since it appears only the 2.2 Macbooks are having the issue.
Well I inserted the DVD and booted from it, and after I select language it is telling me that I cannot install Mac OS X on this computer and to read the instructions for system requirements.
It has me completely baffled. Does anyone know why this would be? I tried with the disks my computer came with and it would work, so I completely erased the hard drive, and then tried installing from a bootable copy on my external hard drive. Same problem again.... It makes no sense to me, as he was able to install a copy on my computer at the store from his external drive (which he said was a regular retail copy, nothing special). Also, this is not the upgrade disk mailed out in November, it is the actual retail copy.
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!

amsgator wrote:
Hey,
I've been having a lot of issues with Leopard and all the 2.2 issues going around. I went to the apple store and he told me to use a retail DVD instead of the ones that came with my computer, since it appears only the 2.2 Macbooks are having the issue.
Well I inserted the DVD and booted from it, and after I select language it is telling me that I cannot install Mac OS X on this computer and to read the instructions for system requirements.
It has me completely baffled. Does anyone know why this would be? I tried with the disks my computer came with and it would work, so I completely erased the hard drive, and then tried installing from a bootable copy on my external hard drive. Same problem again.... It makes no sense to me, as he was able to install a copy on my computer at the store from his external drive (which he said was a regular retail copy, nothing special). Also, this is not the upgrade disk mailed out in November, it is the actual retail copy.
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!
I would bring the computer and DVD to the store and show them the problem. Let Apple take care of it.

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I have gone about reformatting the computer like I have done with all my macs previously, however when I select a language when booting from disk, I will get the pop up error "Cannot install Mac OS X on this computer". I have tried wiping both hard drives, partitioning both hard drives but to no avail.
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So I downloaded MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.5PPC.dmg and it stops at "Select a Destination."
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I must have installed this update previously, to get to 10.4.6, to install Adobe CS3 which REQUIRES 10.4.6.
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No, I wouldn't ignore them, I think we really have more messed up than just this, and if any of these steps fix it, we'll likely need new downloads.
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates.
May even need to do an Archive and Install if you have room on the HD, but saves all your files and gives a new OS...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
I only use Software Update to see what is needed, then get them for real via...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
That way I can wait a week or so, check the forums for potential problems, and get Permissions & such in order before installing.
If all the above fails, then it appears to be time for an Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.

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Can Not Install Mac OS X on this computer (MacBook)

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