Can't reinstall OSX - no destination volume

This morning, I was using my G4 Powerbook as usual. I shut it down to bring it to work. When I got there, powered up and got the question mark disk after a long, grey pause. Tried starting up holding option, and no startup disk is available.
Then I tried starting from the system CD. Can't reinstall because it can't see a volume. Tried disk utillity on the CD. That couldn't see the volume either, nor could system profiler.
Finally, tried an Apple Hardware Test. Everything looks sweet.
Why won't my computer start up? I haven't done anything to it!
PowerBook G4 1.67 GHz, 15 in. Mac OS X (10.4.3) 1 GB memory, 80 GB HD

One of several things might have gone wrong:
1. Directory damage beyond Disk Utility's ability to see what is there. That's about $100 a repair with Alsoft Disk Warrior.
http://www.alsoft.com/
Note repairing with Disk Warrior could take up to two weeks, and replacing the directory if the drive has a hardware issue may make it harder to recover data from a data recovery software such as Prosoft Data Rescue (see option 2).
Be sure to get a CD version known to work with your Mac model:
http://www.info.apple.com/support/applespec.html
2. Serious loss of directory file structure beyond Disk Warrior's ability to see it. Some files may be recoverable with Disk Warrior while others not. For that you need an equivalent external Firewire hard drive (about $150 from http://www.macsales.com/ ) and Data Rescue for $90 + shipping from http://www.macconnection.com/Search?Id=21&Term=prosoftdatarescue&Offset=0&DefSort=Y&om=search
Mind you, the number of usable files with Data Rescue is much more diminished if the directory is seriously damaged, though then again, they (Prosoft) might be able to help you reconstruct those files. Ask Prosoft what they are able to do on that account if you think you want to try that method. Prosoft Data Rescue, won't actually write anything to disk, which prevents anything valuable from being overwritten. If you have the money for that, I'd try it first.
3. Data recovery firms such as http://www.drivesavers.com/
These can cost thousands of dollars, though some I've heard cost as little as $600. Their ability to recover from situations where power is lost to the hard drive in question, or the hard drive had a head crash or other hardware malfunction is better than any software out there.
Hence the reason I always recommend, backup your data whenever making something valuable with my FAQ here:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Good luck!

Similar Messages

Erased mac book pro (2009), how can i reinstall osx? it won't recognize any old system disc

erased mac book pro (2009), how can i reinstall osx? it won't recognize old system discs

Did you try:
Install or Reinstall Mavericks or Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
OS X Mavericks- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Erase and reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.
If you don't have the original discs that came with the computer, then you can install the retail version of Snow Leopard:
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.

Can't reinstall osx lion from internet, and display a message"cannot find installation information ,please contact applecare, what should i do?

hello
I can't reinstall osx lion from internet, and display a message"cannot find installation information ,please contact applecare, what should i do?
thanks

I'm no Lion expert, but I believe you can boot from the Recovery partition by pressing the Command and R keys on startup, then reinstall.

Can't reinstall OSX, did have norton, but hard is erased and I get three even tones

can't reinstall OSX from disk, I did have norton, but hard is totally erased and I get three even tones with a pause then three more again and again. Please help. Geek squad checked hardware and ok'd everything.

That usually means bad memory or defective slots.
Intel-based Mac Power On Self Test RAM error beeps
Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2

Can't reinstall OSX

This is a continuation from "can't boot from OSX and may have a virus" OK, so I was able to back up my data onto my other internal hard drive and I erased the original hard drive and tried to reinstall OSX 10.2 from my install disk. It went through the whole process and came up with the dialogue box saying "There were errors installing the software" "Please try installing again" I tried installing again, I tried installing my OSX 10.3 upgrade and I get the same error message no matter what I do, so I must be doing something wrong but I don't know what.

Actually, I answered my own question by reading the right forum and finding the right disks - the one with the Jaguar patterned "X" on them.
Thanks for all the help with my original problem - I'll be awarding some points now.

My HDD, recovery disk and OSX all of them deleted, how can i reinstall OSX?

I tried to reinstall OSX but it didn't work. I saw the warning: This partition cannot be startup disk. I tried to repair partition but i get this:
This disk doesn't contain an EFI system partition. I deleted everyrhing and i installed windows 7 with bootable dvd. Now I want to reinstall OSX. How can i do it?
I need help!
Please!

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is marked solved, less people are likely to look at it. You can link to this one.
Do a backup. Boot the Recovery Partition (command - R on a restart) and run Disk Utility. In the first Aid tab, select the top level hard drive and see if GUID is shown (see below). Run Disk Utility Verify/Repair and Repair Permissions until you get no errors. Then re-install the OS.

Can't reinstall OSX lion

After having some kernel panics, I tried to reinstall OSX lion.
Tried everything - from recovery, internet download, after creating an install disc, you name it, install keeps failing.
Didn't work even after erasing/ reformatting my HD.
Do I have a hardware issue? Disc utility claims HD is OK...
Even found a method to reinstall Snow Leopard, but that failed too. I have run out of ideas.
Mac worked just fine until this...
Help please!

Then you have some type of hardware problem. More then likely the drive is failing, Failed.
Since it is a 2009 iMac that is now 3+/- years old then I'd say it is the drive.
One test is to connect an external drive to the system and start the install of any version of OS X and point it to the external. If the install works and you can boot from the external then the internal drive is the problem.

Can't Reinstall OSX Onto Macbook Pro

We have a MacBook Pro that suffered a hard drive failure.   We've installed a new Hard Drive, and now are not having any luck getting the OSX to reinstall.
- Looking up by S/N: this is a "Mid-2010 Core i5 MacBook Pro 15-inch" its an A1286.
- Just pressing the power button results in a screen with a blinking ? File Folder
- Pre-Installed OS is listed as 10.6.3. My understanding is that it has to be at least 10.7 for an Internet Recovery to function. We've tried the Command-R at boot anyway, and the result is that it sits at the Apple logo on a Grey screen indefinitely
- We have a Retail OSX disc that is labeled as 10.6.3. With the disc in the drive, and pressing Option key at startup, we get to the screen to select the Boot Volume, where the only option is "Mac OS X Install DVD." Selecting this option makes the DVD start to spin up for a moment then stop, and it takes us back to the grey screen with the apple logo, where it just sits.
- The OSX DVD is a known good disc.
- At this point we're stuck, and don't know what to do next.

Clean Install of Snow Leopard
     1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
         with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
         After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see
         a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
     2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
         button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
         After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
         size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of
         partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
         and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended
         (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.
     3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed
         with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
     4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
         Assistant. After you finish Setup Assistant will complete the installation after which
         you will be running a fresh install of OS X. You can now begin the update process
         by opening Software Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your
         installation current.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

Grey Screen, won't boot from usb. Only have a PC to create a boot USB. How can I reinstall OSX with a .dmg file?

I recently recieved a macbook that I was told was broken. She didn't know what was wrong with it, but she told me I could keep it if I wanted to get it working again. Its http://support.apple.com/kb/sp579 this model. I got the laptop to power on, but the apple logo and the spinning wheel under it kept spinning forever. So with me and my "Amazing" knowledge of Macs, I thought it would be best to reformat the drive on my PC via sata cable to FAT32 (which I was told is a format that mac devices can read/write on) and install OSX from usb. So I have a .dmg file and used TransMac to format the usb and make the usb drive bootable with the .dmg.
I formatted the drive to FAT32 and plugged it into my macbook and I get a folder and a question mark blinking on the screen. After looking at some forums online, I found that the error occurs when you don't have the correct filesystem to boot or something along those lines. So I try rebooting the computer while holding C, to boot from an external device (such as USB). Nothing. Again the folder and question mark blink on the screen. I look at some other boot option keys and try all of them. Shift for recovery mode, D for apple hardware test, Control, option, P, and R for resetting NVRAM and PRAM. Everything! The only things that differ slightly are when I press Option for startup manager, N for NetBoot and Option+N for internet default boot image. When I press N and Option+N, I get a blinking globe for about 5-10 seconds and then the folder and ? blink again. When I hold Option for the startup manager, I get a white screen and my curser, which I can move around the screen, but there is nothing to click on, its just white.
Currently I have a USB flash drive plugged into the macbook with a .dmg OSX installer on it via TransMac and for some reason, my macbook doesn't want to try to load it. Either I have the wrong file format for the installer, or my macbook is having problems. I read that the hard drive may be the problem, except I can use it on my PC so I know that it works fine.
If anyone has any information about how to fix this, or any ideas. Please let me know! I would very much like to get this macbook going again.

The correct format for Mac OS X is not FAT-32.
As the computer shipped with an install-restore disc DVD set that could be used to start the computer as an emergency disc and use the Utilities on the Installer, without running the Installer itself, to format, attempt repair, and perform a few different system installs or reinstalls, this is where the correct format would come from.
Was there documentation to confirm the build year and model information, such as to refer you to the product page link you posted above?
If accurate, that MacBook shipped with this custom grey
install-restore DVD version of Snow Leopard:
Original OS
Mac OS X 10.6.1 (10A2047)
Maximum OS
Latest release of OS X
AirDrop
Supported
Hardware Test
AHT 3A181
And to be able to restore the basic OS X to that level, official replacement discs for that computer should be ordered from AppleCare; to facilitiate obtaining correct ones, you should find the product serial number. There likely would be a fee involved. The replacement disc set may have a different number than the one in the information box above, but would match the hardware series by Apple standards. And a replacement disc may not have the original extra applications that shipped with the computer when new. Those original discs are part of the retail computer, an essential part number, like the power adapter, and should be included with the computer even after an OS X upgrade, since they allow basic access without using the internet.
The remainder of the Snow Leopard 10.6(.8) would be a download Software Update Combo v 10.6.8, either direct from Apple servers or through the computer's running Software Update. Once the computer is up to date in Snow Leopard, 10.6.8, then one could visit the Mac App Store, App Store, and iTunes Store; from the Mac App Store, and you could check/get the latest upgrade to Mac OS X, 10.9.2. An Apple ID is required to access.
The computer may not support Mavericks 10.9.2, or may be able to, but could use an upgrade of RAM capacity.
If your model and build year series info is correct:
Maximum Memory
8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots
2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM
For more information see the database download http://mactracker.ca
and also compare specs with macbook models at everymac.com.
The newer OS X systems that can use a Recovery HD partition on the hard disk drive, can start from there to repair their hard disk drive, and reformat the section where the Mac OS X runs, and reinstall that. Since there is no likelihood of that still being on the drive once it was FAT-32 reformatted, it will not be present to assist in attempts to reformat the drive; if the computer had been upgraded past Snow Leopard 10.6, to a later system that would have used the recovery partition, or the later internet recovery system. That goes to Apple Servers to use OS X Utilities and reinstall the system, helpful for computers without optical drives or system media. Your MacBook with 10.6.8 installed, then had to access the Mac App Store, to get 10.7.5, 10.8.5, or 10.9.x
Identify your Mac lookup by model number or serial number:
https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php
Anyway, the hardware in the computer may need some inspection, troubleshooting, and maybe repair; but the original DVD install-restore disc has an Apple Hardware Test on it, for that series build model macbook. That could help in troubleshooting some aspects of the computer. Could be the hard disk drive failed; or if someone tried to upgrade the RAM, the system may not have worked correctly. Hard to say how it was messed up, at this stage. There are several possible causes.
Hopefully you can get the correct disc set from AppleCare.
You can call Support number, or use Contact Support page.
Good luck & happy computing!

HT1338 I failed to re-install Mac OSX after I removed it while removing my personal info. I forgot my Apple ID & password at the time. I have now recovered them with my windows type spare computer. How can I reinstall OSX on my MacBook Air?

I failed to re-install the OSX on my MacBook Air after erasing my personal information in preparation to sell the computer. Reason: I forgot my Apple ID and password. I have recovered my ID and password on my wondows computer. There is no software on my MacBook Air right now. How do I re-install OSX?

Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This will install the OS originally installed on your computer. If you plan to sell or give away the computer, then do not upgrade it or the purchaser will not be able to use it.

Can't reinstall OSX 10.6!

Hello everybody. My system crashed yesterday and I can't even boot into OSX, it just show me the Apple logo and the grey spinning gear.
I tried start up by the OSX DVD and repair permission & disk (I got lots of errors by doing these two things, after several repair, it said that my disk is OK without any problem). So I tried boot from the internal hard disk again, still no luck.
After lots of searching on the web, seems the only thing I can do is re-install the OS. SL will automatically archive & install, so my files & apps will be safe.
Now the strange thing happened, it don't even let me reinstall the OS. Saying "OSX can't be install on this computer", the only option I got is to restore from time machine. My bad, my last TM backup was at least 8 months ago. Is there any trick to force the SL disc to re-install the OS to my Macbook? Thanks a loT!!!

I don't think it's the RAM being non-Apple. But doesn't mean it's not a problem with the RAM.
repairing disks multiple times (numerous errors were detected but were fixed)
Was this Disk or Permissions repair? Sounds like Permissions not Disk, since those messages are repeated endlessly. What's important is if you get a Permissions repaired message at the end. (BTW, I know you can't do this right now, but best to repair Permissions booted normally, not from the Install disc.) But if it was Disk repair, that sounds ominous.
Try running the Hardware Test in Extended. If it produces an error, it can be trusted, but if coming up clean it isn't necesariy reliable. Sometimes needs to be run several times.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Can't Reinstall OSX Lion on a new HD on my Mac Pro????

I have a Mac Pro Desktop that i bough on ebay and just got a new HD500Gb so I want to use the 500GB HD as my primary HD and use my current 320GB as my secondary. I did the boot sequence by holdin the opt/alt key at start up picked recovery option went to disk utilities wiped it clean got out of DU and got to the instal page with Lion on front chose the hard drive I wanted to install it to which was my New 500GB HD and it asked to be signed in to appstore to validate apple id signed in it let me agree to terms then when I went to download and install it it said that my apple id did not purchase the a copy of OSX Lion( ah duh ) because I am not original owner,it says that i have to use the apple id that was used to purchase OSX Lion originaly? there is my problem How dow I find out who was the original person who download it in the first place? yes I got it clean fresh install NO problem but now I want to switch hard drives and cant do it!!!
if I recall right OSX Lion didnt come with any Disks so that option is gone,and I am not the original owner that bought the installed copy of OSX Lion that instaled on here now.
So is there any way to find out that info of the original owner and thier apple id or
bypass it cause with out it I cant do Squat!!!!

It does indeed take 1 to 3 days, because a person has to intervene and send you a couple of emails with redemption codes that you will enter to get access to the download.
Once you have downloaded Lion, your Apple-ID "Purchases" page will evermore show Lion as Purchased and re-downloadable, like this one:

How Can I Reinstall OSX Without Messing Up Bootcamp?

I have my iMac harddrive partitioned with a Windows and Mountain Lion drive, and the M.L partition has begun to slow down and it's also got quite cluttered and so I want to do a fresh install. How do I do this without messing up the Windows drive because last time i tried to do it I could not boot into the Windows drive afterwards and had to reformat the drive.
I have the Mountain Lion installer on a thumb drive.
Thanks.

cool, i'll use buy it then)
so basically:
1. create new partition from macosx
2. install boot runner
3. reboot
3. launch linux cd
4. when installing linux should be no problem creating swap partition and others coz linux rock

Why reinstalling OSX doesn't work

unfortunately I can not reinstall OSX, please help.
many thanks

Hard to help with no information. We don't read minds, yet.
You cannot reinstall Mavericks because it is no longer available. You can install Yosemite or the original Snow Leopard that came with the computer when it was new (on a small flash drive.) To reinstall Snow Leopard you must first erase the drive. Then update it to: Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
You may then try re-downloading Mavericks via your Purchases page on the App Store, but no guarantee you will be able to.

Reinstall OSX Partition?

Can I reinstall OSX without effecting my Windows installation?

I believe you can as long as you don't have any errors from your windows installation. If you have applecare you can download techtool deluxe. Just add your serial number from you mac and you can download it. It will give you all info about your mac if anything is wrong. From experience. My bootcamp installation was corrupt and i had to delete my windows partition and had to reinstall my os x after combining os x with the deleted partition space of bootcamp. Do you use time machine? Well it may not matter you may want a fresh start. Just pop in the mac os x install disk and check. That is your best bet. It'll let you know if it can or not.
Message was edited by: Apollo Kid

Can't reinstall OSX - no destination volume

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