Can't start up from install disc

When Onyx checked my start up volume it said there was a problem and I should start from my installation disc and run disc utility. I tried restarting and holding down C and it would not start from the disc. In researching support I tried resetting PRAM with no luck. I saw that with a wireless keyboard I should wait till I hear the chime before pressing C, no luck. I next tried restarting pressing option instead. It only gave me the choice of Macintosh HD not install disc.
I assume I am using the correct disc (imac Applications install DVD) as it is the only one I can find. Am I doing something wrong or is there any other suggestions?
Thanks for any help.

Greetings,
#1 If your getting that kind of message from Onyx make sure you have your data backed up before you do any kind of repairs. If you have an issue with the formatting of the drive (which is one of the triggers in Onyx that gives you that message) then you need to backup your data ASAP. Repairs can actually make things worse with certain kinds of drive issues. So backup now.
Are you using the install disk that came with your computer?
I assume when you put the disk in the drive, it shows up on the desktop and gives you all the contents of the disk?
If so this sounds like a keyboard issue. I would try a USB keyboard or put some REALLY fresh batteries in the your current one. Like just bought from a store that doesn't keep batteries sitting in the back for 3 months kinda fresh.
Alternatives:
_Put the disk in.
_Go to Apple > System Preferences > Start Up Disk
_Choose the disk here and then say restart
Once you've completed the repairs using Disk Utility from the install disk, quit the installer and you will get the option for Start Up disk. You can then choose the internal hard drive so the system boots normally (Or use the option key to use startup manager at boot to choose the internal HD).
Hope that helps!

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Can't start up from Install disk

I'm using a MacBook purchased 3/07. System 10.4.11
I can't start up from the Install Disk for Leopard. I only get a screen with the apple logo and the spinning thing. I wait 10 minutes. Nothing happens. I've tried both using the Disk for the start up and clicking on Install icons but when it shuts down to restart....nothing.
Can anyone help me?
Thanks. Lois

Hi Josef,
I left it on for over an hour and nothing happened. Finally called Apple and after an hour and a half of all kinds of testing, restarts, zapping and I don't know what else, the nice man there talked to his supervisor and then had me test the hardware (hold down D when starting). Turns out there is a problem with my ram so now I have to take it to a local technician and if he can't fix it, it'll have to go back to Apple for repairs. Ho hum. I just hope it finally gets working to make all this worthwhile.
Thanks again for your interest and help.
Berengaria

Won't start up from 'Install Disc'

I ran Disk Utilities because my iMac's fan kept running. Disk Utilities said I had HD problems and needed to start up from the Install Disc. I have tried holding down 'D' and tried changing the start up disk settings, even starting up pressing C and as a final go... Command-Option-P-R..... still not starting up on the install dvd. All I get is a white screen and the DVD clicks for a bit and then gives up.
I just can't seem to get past that white screen!
Please give me a hint!
P.S. I have even tried different install DVD's!

I am having very similar problems.
iMac has worked fine for 3 years. Today, it suddenly froze while I was on the web. I had to force it down by holding down the button on the back. When I tried to start, it would just sit on the Apple icon + progress icon. Or it would get to the blue screen and then just freeze at the blue screen. No system at all.
I was able to restart in safe mode once. Things seemed to be working fine. But the second I started Safari, the progress icon came up (the one for my mouse), would never go away, and I couldn't do anything. Had to once again shut down by holding down the button on the back.
After that, it will not restart in safe mode (hangs at the apple icon or never even gets to the apple icon). It will not restart from the Install disc. Same thing, just hangs at the apple icon.
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I need to start my Macbook from the install disc in order to do a minor repair using disc utilities.
Can anyone tell me how to do this?
Many thanks.
PG Logo

OK, I've tried doing the above about a dozen times but on each and every occassion I get the option to reinstall my software.
There is an option to choose the installation disc when I choose Quit Installer but it keeps bouncing me back to installing the software from scratch.
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Any ideas to how I can accomplish this?
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Can't boot up from install disc

Install disc shows on the desk top and in restart under system preferences but will not restart the Mac, I have also tried holding the "c" down on start up but nothing happens though I can hear the drive spinning. Is there some way I can get information about what is happening why it will not start up from the install 10.5.8 DVD and I have also tried the power Mac G5 OSX install DVD that came with the computer with the same results.
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George,
try if the G5 will boot into _*safe mode*_
if it does, launch *disk utility* and run +permissions repair+ and +repair disk+ sessions. then reboot normally.
another thing to try would be _*resetting the System Management Controller SMC*_.
for good measure, you might want to run _*Apple Hardware Test*_ from the install DVD that came with G5 to rule out any hardware issues.
JGG

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I am trying to reinstall original sotfaware disks. But can't get it to start up w/original disk.
Don't we just simply start up, with CD in the drive, and hold down the "C" key?
Tried with both disks (Install, and Restore disks)...but still boots up to the normal HD and system there....not from the disk, do I can't do a clean install. Although, I have done this before. But not working now.
Suggestions?
I am trying to Erase the HD and do a complete install.

Hi, DadOfSixJon -
By interpretation I take it that your machine is an iMac? If so, it should look something like this one -
http://www.apple-history.com/images/models/imac.gif
(the picture is from the apple-history.com website, which is an invaluable resource for info about Macs)
There are so many different model Macs, each with their own peculiarities, that it is usually necessary to know exactly what is being discussed.
Assuming it is an iMac, here's some more questions -
• Does the CD drive work? For example, with the machine booted to its hard drive, when you insert the CD does its icon appear on the desktop?
• Do other startup keyboard commands work? For example, if you hold down the Shift key from the beginning of startup and keep it held down, does the machine boot with Extensions Off?
• Have you tried using Startup Disk control panel to set the CD as the boot volume? Will it let you make that selection?
• How long has it been since the internal battery was replaced? If it has been at least 4 years, or if the machine has been unplugged regularly or for an extended period, try replacing it.
• If you have any USB device(s) connnected (including a printer, modem, drive, or any device) other than the keyboard and mouse? If so, try disconnecting those.
• Have you tried using a different mouse, or no mouse? Note - the machine should be able to boot to a CD with the mouse disconnected, but you would not be able to do much with the CD without a mouse; however, doing so is one way to check to see if the mouse is causing the problem.

Can't start up from Install CD

Hi...My Mom's iMac needs the drive erased and the OS reinstalled. I have the original Install CD but this iMac won't start up from it either when I hold down C on start up or when it restarts when I follow prompts from Install CD.
It reads the Install CD on the desktop. Any thoughts about why it won't boot from CD?
Can I link to my iBook via firewire and install OS from there?
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Hi steve
Please confirm it's NOT possible to install from a firewire linked iBook?
It is possible, though if you cannot install from the iMac's CD drive then it is not likely it will work from the iBook's drive, but you can try.
With the iMac on (Host), the iBook off (Target) connect the firewire cable.
Start the iBook, hold T key to make it the boot drive. It will appear on the iMac's Desktop.
Insert the Jaguar Install CD into the iBook.
It too will appear on the iMac's Desktop.
From the iMac, select Restart and hold down the Option key to select Start-up Manager.
From Start-up Manager, select the Jaguar Install CD which will take you into the installation.
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...or the possibility of downloading 10.2?
Negative on this one. No Mac OS's are available for download as they have a commercial value and cannot be uploaded or downloaded. Besides, you have the Jaguar disk to use. I hope you can install it.
If the iMac's HD is full you will not be able to do an Archive and Install as there won't be room, but it sounds like an Erase an Install is what you are after anyway.
regards roam

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After having to reformat my internal hd, I recovered from a time machine backup. But now at startup it won't go beyond the grey page with apple logo and spinning gear. Neither with internal hd nor with install disc A first timer after 17 years with macs!!

Zap the PRAM and try to start with the install disk. Details in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Can't start up from install DVD

Hi,
When I use Disk Utilities to verify my hard drive (Macbook, OS 10.6.8) it tells me it needs to be repaired. When I try to boot up from the install DVD to make repairs it (eventually) goes to an error window saying I need to restart my computer. In other words it won't boot up from the DVD. I've tried selecting the DVD using 'Option' on start up, but that doesn't work either. Any ideas?

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So why would I not be able to boot from DVD with the other faulty hard drive?

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still running adobe cs2 on leopard. but now get unexpected quit msg. and wont launch. any chance that when i installed then uninstalled GENIEO yesterday something went wrong? how to fix? can i reinstall cs2 from original discs? bystephenftlaud

Hi,
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, 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 at top of the screen. (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. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). 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.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
Open Console in Applications>Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when trying to open CS2.

Still running adobe cs2 on leopard. but now get unexpected quit msg. and wont launch. any chance that when i installed then uninstalled GENIEO yesterday something went wrong? how to fix? can i reinstall cs2 from original discs?

still running adobe cs2 on leopard. but now get unexpected quit msg. and wont launch. any chance that when i installed then uninstalled GENIEO yesterday something went wrong? how to fix? can i reinstall cs2 from original discs?

Hi,
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, 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 at top of the screen. (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. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). 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.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
Open Console in Applications>Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when trying to open CS2.

Can I restore my system from install discs when DVD is not working?

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Thanks

Problem solved - I posted on the general Tiger Discussions as well.
I had the wrong machine started in Target Firewire mode.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2180754&tstart=0

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