Cannot re-install any Mac OS (10.5/10.6)

Dear Reader,
I have recently been troubleshooting an upgrade from 10.5.8 to 10.6.3.
I reboot using the install DVDs provided and for every machine the installer prompts 'cannot install mac os on this computer'. We are planning to upgrade ten iMacs to 10.6 over the summer, but at present our troubleshooting shows that this may not be possible.
After following some forum suggestions I decided to 'zero-out' one of our iMac's hard drives and re-partition with one volume in the GUID template. Unfortunately we still did not have any luck when trying to re-install either of the OSs.
I have a genius appointment to sort out the zeroed-out iMac, but any help regarding the above would be much appreciated!
aho.woking

Change the default setting in the options pain in the third window of the installer to 'erase and install'. It is set to upgrade by default, hence the error.

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Hi . i have Intel based iMac. i erased whole hard disk. now it flashes folder icon with question mark... i have no internet or orginal dvd.... i want to clean install any mac osx..friend got mac book pro and osx in dmg format . what are my options?

hi . i have Intel based iMac. i erased whole hard disk. now it flashes folder icon with question mark... i have no internet or orginal dvd.... i want to clean install any mac osx..friend got mac book pro and osx in dmg format . what are my options?

On your friend's computer with an internet connection, log into the Mac App Store with your ID and download Yosemite from the Purchases section of the Mac App Store. The make a bootable USB install media using
http://liondiskmaker.com/
Then boot from that on your computer and install
You need an internet connection to install via Recovery mode

Install any mac os on intel Atom CPU

Hi All,
Can i install any MAC OS on Intel Atom cpu N270 1.60 ghz( 2cpus) 1 Gb RAM???

anandrkumar wrote:
Can i install any MAC OS on Intel Atom cpu N270 1.60 ghz( 2cpus) 1 Gb RAM???
No, even if you could the CPU isn't strong enough.
However you can install the DVD version of Linux Mint 10.10 (not 11 or 12) then theme it to MacBuntu 10.10 (follow the links in the quote instructions below) and it will look like OS X, plus it's a lighter OS version and runs well on netbooks. I have one myself as Apple doesn't make a netbook.
Don't do this on your only machine, you need a way to get online and ask at Linux Mint for assistance.
http://www.linuxmint.com/index.php
MacBuntu 10.10 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxODltR8IZY
Note you will not be able to run Windows programs (perhaps a few with Wine) or OS X programs in Linux. But there is lots of free software in the Software Manager and Linux Mint 10.10 (DVD version) installs a lot of useful stuff free, like LibreOffice, software to manage music, Firefox, mail etc etc.
Netbooks are not that powerful anyway, so Linux makes a excellent choice over Windows.
Again 10.10 is the best you can likley do on your hardware.
Enjoy.
ds store's: Easiest, trouble free way to install Linux I have found yet.
These instructions are for a complete wipe of a boot drive and install of Linux, not a "dual boot" / "partition alongside" Windows which is a more risky and involved affair.
Once you do this, unless you have a FULL Windows install disk and valid product key, your PC Vendor version of Windows, it's factory recovery partition, your files and programs, will be totally removed and unrecoverable.
This will NOT work for Mac's as they use EFI and no BIO's, only generic PC's with BIO's can this work.
Linux overwrites the entire drive with a new EXT drive format, recovery of data is not possible. If you do this to a machine that doesn't belong to you, you will likely be facing serious charges of the destruction of private property.
1: Download PenDrive Linux, USB Easy Installer (Windows), stick in a empty (or soon to be empty) 2-4GB USB drive.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
2: From the first menu you see there, pick a distro (my advice for your first Linux, is Linux Mint 10.10)
If you want to look like OS X then pick MacBuntu, if Like XP, then "Like XP 10.10"
All three of these ARE based upon Ubuntu, but much, much better.
3: Check the box to download the distro, go get a beer and have a sandwich.
4: Browse to the finished download, Set the correct drive letter for the USB. Format the drive. Leave rest alone. Create.
Stick the USB in the target computer, for towers you need to use the BACK USB port.
Hook up a Ethernet cable to your router or modem to download wifi and other drivers, important!
Now you need to find your BIO's boot key on this page.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/a/biosaccess_pc.htm
5: Enter the BIO's and set the USB as the first boot and save. Reboot off the USB key.
6: Your in the installer, choose to erase the whole disk and install Linux. Make sure you have a wired internet connection for drivers/updates. (Linux formats the entire drive, all data will be lost)
That's it, it's very, very easy. Your machine should be fast too.
Get sick of one distro, there are others. You can even turn Linux Mint into MacBuntu at this link
http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/326
I would go this route if your interested in the OS X look, because Linux Mint is the best desktop for newbies. Everything is there, then you take that with you with the OS X theme switch.
Also if you have a powerful machine, you can install VirtualBox and run a distro in that as well, like Ubuntu.
Good Luck
Asker's Comment:
You have helped me out TREMENDOUSLY! i could never thank you enough! so i give u 10 points! i'd give 20 if i could! Thank you soooo much! i got it up and running thanks to you!

P1102W doesn't broadcast SSID & Driver cannot be installed on Mac OS 10.7.5

Hi,
I bought a new wifi extender and managed to mess about the settings. I have no idea how this happened.
But the current situation is that P1102W doesn't talk to me because it doesn't broadcast its SSID so I cannot login through its Embedded Web Server. I cannot connect it through USB to my MacBook Pro either. I suspect it is because I somehow messed up my driver setting. But I cannot re-install my driver somehow.
the machine is on Mac OS 10.7.5. The printer P1102w is already in its printer list (on wifi but is not connected). I tried to reinstall driver in order to connect through USB. But the installation always failed at the last step (mac popped up message suggesting me to talk to software supplier). I have done "Repair Disk Permissions" a few times. Still the driver doesn't install. The driver I talk about is "LJP1100_P1560_P1600_Full_Solution.dmg"
My HP P1102w has been reset to factory default by powering up while pressing the cancel (X) and wifi buttons a few times. Although its blue wifi light is blinking, it doesn't broadcast its SSID, so I cannot connect to its web based set up page.
I hope someone out there can help me. If I failed to provide any necessary information for your diagnosis, please let me know. Thank you for your help.

Hi @SillySilly,
I see by your post that you have lost the wireless connection with the printer, since setting up a extender. I can help you with this.
You will have to network the printer to the main network. Make sure there isn't any spaces or special characters in the network name.
Make sure Safari is set as the default browser. (sometimes the EWS won't open if it isn't set as the default)
Open Safari, across the top select the Safari menu, select Preferences, General, set as default.
If you can still print by a USB connection, skip to running the HTML Config section.
I would run the uninstaller, there might be bits and pieces of the old software still installed.
Uninstalling the Printer Software.
Reset the Printing System:
Note: This will remove all printers in the print and Fax/Scan, any printer removed can be re-added later by clicking the plus (+) symbol.
Click the Apple icon ( ), and then click System Preferences.
Click Printers & Scanners.
Right-click (or Ctrl +click) in the left white side panel, then click Reset printing system.
Click OK to confirm the reset.
Type the correct Name and Password.
Click OK to reset the printing system.
Connect the printer directly to the Mac.
Run the downloaded drivers again. HP LaserJet Full Feature Software and Driver.
If you have any issues with the HTML config opening then do the following steps:
Close any applications.
On the Apple menu bar, click Go, computer, MAC harddrive, Library, Printers, HP, LaserJet, click on folder for your printer, click on EWS browser or HTML config, click the Networking tab, click wireless on the left and fill out your information. (make sure infrastructure is selected) Apply settings.
Then delete the USB driver and add the network printer.
Please provide in detail the results if you are still having issues.
Have a nice day!
Thank You.
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!
Gemini02
I work on behalf of HP

HP All-in-One 2355 Shared from Windows PC - Cannot print from any Mac

Hi all!
I have a HP All-in-One 2355 printer. It is installed correctly on my Mac, and when I try to use it connected by USB, works fine.
But the printer is all the time conected to a PC, where is installed to. The PC runs Windows XP, at is in the same Wireless network as my MacBook Pro. The printer is "shared" on this PC.
When I search the HP 2355 with my MacBook throught wireless, I can find it. I see it if I going to Preferences Settings, Printers, Windows, Workgroup... Then I can add the printer, but I can't select any driver to asign, because the driver for HP All-in-One 2350 series don't appear.
What can I do? I contacted with HP, but they tell me that they don't support sharing between Windows and Mac.
Please, Help me!

Install this three-part driver:
http://www.linuxfoundation.org/en/OpenPrinting/MacOSX/hpijs

Unable to install any Mac OS via any method

I consider myself an extremely knowledgeable mac user but I am out of ideas with this iMac G4 800. As the story goes, my family had two of these purchased within a year of each other around 2000 or 2001. In 2005 I got a PowerBook, transferred my files from the iMac I was using at the time and got ready to reformat the iMac and reinstall a fresh OS (10.3 at the time I think). Well no matter what I tried the install would fail with ambiguous error messages, the machine would kernel panic on startup from the install DVD. Installing via Target Disk Mode would cause random freezes, hangups, and I/O errors. I assumed the disk was fried but various utilities reported NO bad sectors even though OS X's disk utility was unable to zero out the drive (more I/O) errors. I found it highly suspicious that the day I get a new Mac and transfer my files over, the old one completely dies on me.
So I took the **** thing apart. Every screw in the thing was removed. I salvaged some hardware and scrapped the rest, chalking the experience up to bad luck. Now jump ahead again to 4 years later, that is, this week. The second and only remaining iMac, running OS 10.3 perfectly is no longer needed. I planned on wiping the drive and installing 10.5 on it. So try to imagine my surprise when the exact same symptoms start appearing. Kernel panics on booting the install DVD, unable to install via TDM, pacifist, etc.
I've run through the motions, reset-nvram, reset PRAM, reset PMU, remove RAM, remove Airport Card.
Booting from the 10.4 retail DVD results in a kernel panic with an "unable to find driver for this model Powermac 4,2"
I refuse to accept this is a hardware issue and that both iMacs failed on exactly the day that I tried to erase them and install a new OS. But I'm out of ideas.

It sounds like you are using machine specific disks to install.
Things in this upgrade faq (by Ali B) should help.
DALE

When I try to download OS 10.5.6 from 10.4.11 I get 'software cannot be installed, I havemore than 1GB RAM, enough Hard Drive and a intel core processor. The OS 10.5.6 software is from my newer Mac ibook, any suggestions?

When I try to download OS 10.5.6 from 10.4.11 I get 'software cannot be installed, I havemore than 1GB RAM, enough Hard Drive and a intel core processor. The OS 10.5.6 software is from my newer Mac ibook, any suggestions?

Hi Tommy,
Using install discs created for another computer is the problem. I suggest you get a stand alone install disc for Leopard and give that a try. I know it's a bummer since you have a perfectly good install disc but you can't take an install disc from a new computer and use it to update an older computer. As a matter of fact you would have problems using your install disc on the same type of computer if it didn't have the same build number. In the old days of Power Macs that wasn't an issue. You could take an install disc for one computer and update every Mac you owned. Sorry.

: I have recently purchased a iBook G4 Mac OS X VERSION 10.5.6 and I cannot install any apps such as firefox, adobe reader, it reads you cannot install this file on this disk

: I have recently purchased a iBook G4 Mac OS X VERSION 10.5.6 and I cannot install any apps such as firefox, adobe reader, it reads you cannot install this file on this disk

Are you saying the iBook G4 you have is running OS X 10.5.6?
The next file to get for it would be the Combo update 10.5.8 for Leopard.
And any old archived Flash player for 10.5.8 from Adobe flash site.
A browser such as TenFourFox, iCab, SeaMonkey-PPC, these are OK
but you won't be able to go past Leopard 10.5(.8) in a PowerPC Mac.
All these are free bits, however anything past 10.5.8 Mac OS X
would require a newer Mac with Intel-based architecture. Macs
made in 2006+ can see later OS X versions.
Good luck & happy computing!

I downloaded Mountain Lion on my Mac Book Pro but when I go to install it, it says "OS X cannot be installed on Lion." Any advice?

I downloaded Mountain Lion on my Mac Book Pro but when I go to install it, it says "OS X cannot be installed on Lion." Any advice?

Right-Click the "Install OS X Mountain Lion" installer under /Applications and select Show Package Contents and drill down through the folders; Contents/SharedSupport. Drag the InstallESD.dmg file to your desktop. Grab an 8GB USB stick as the file is 4.35GB's and might not fit on a 4GB USB stick. Then mount the DMG by double-clicking it and stick your 8GB USB stick in and that will mount then you can use Disk Utility to restore the DMG to the 8GB USB stick. Then shutdown and reboot while holding the Option key and select the USB drive. See if that will let you install Mountain Lion.
One more thing, you have to format the USB Stick first and ensure it's set to GUID mode (under Partition tab Options button) or it won't boot.
More detailed instructions:
http://osxdaily.com/2012/02/17/make-bootable-os-x-10-8-mountain-lion-usb-install -drive/

I erased by Hard drive without backing up. Now, when I put the install disc one inside, it says that Mac os x cannot be installed on this computer. The computer was running Mac os x 10.5.8. Any help?

I erased by Hard drive without backing up. Now, when I put the install disc one inside, it says that Mac os x cannot be installed on this computer. The computer was running Mac os x 10.5.8. Any help?

Boot from your DVD by switching on the Mac & inserting the disc, restart it & hold the "C" key. Once the installer window loads & you have selected your language, choose Disk Utility from the Utilities Menu. You will then need to select your disk from the menu within Disk Utility & choose how you wish to format. It should be formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Once it has formatted, you should then be able to install the OS.
PLEASE REMEMBER...that formatting a disk will completely erase it's content. Be sure that you don't wish to recover any of your previous content before doing any of the above.
Ben

Help, I installed parallel and windows, and opened videos (on an external hard disk) with windows, and now cannot open them with Mac, and use i movies. How do I reverse this?

Help, I installed parallel and windows, and opened videos (on an external hard disk) with windows, and now cannot open them with Mac, and use i movies. How do I reverse this?

Paragraphs help the reader, just saying.
What are you actually trying to do? Why do you need "DVD size" folders if you're creatng an Archive on an external hard drive?
Also, I understand burning folders instead of individual photos or albums gives you more space on a DVD.
It makes no difference at all.
How can I keep the captions on my photos (not events) when I print or transfer to a new folder?
You can export while writing the metadata to the file in most cases.
Tne only way I know is to copy photos from the Windows to folders on my HD, then copy and paste photos or albums or events to HD, then create a new folder and fill it to the appropriate DVD size.
HD? Another HD? You use HD there in a way that makes no sense. What's the point of 'DVD size'?
I also thought I should download future photos to my Canon programming that comes with EOS cameras and edit and then decide which photos to save to iPhoto library and which to save only to my archival HD?
Does this have any relation to the previous questions? You know you can delete from iPhoto, right?
You're somewhat confused and you need to
1. Decide what exactly you want to do
2. Then go about it.
If I understand you correctly - and there's no guarantee that I do - the easiest thing is to bring all your Photos into iPhoto and do everything from there.
You can have an archive on an external disk, you can sort and select and edit with or via iPhoto
Regards
TD

Mac OS X cannot be installed on "Macintosh HD", because this disk cannot be used to start up your computer

I have a macbook pro with snow leopard on it. I am giving it away to a family members, but would like to erase the disk before giving it away. When I put my snow leopard dvd in, and click "install", I get a screen asking me to select the hard drive to install on. When I click the only one listed: "Macintosh HD", I get the message:
Mac OS X cannot be installed on "Macintosh HD", because this disk cannot be used to start your computer
If I try to boot from the dvd, my mac just hangs on the gray screen that shows the apple logo. Basically I put the dvd in, shut down the computer, when I turn it on, I hold the "C" key, and it just hangs.
How should I go about erasing everything on the computer, and re-installing the OS, I just want it to look like it did when it came from the factory. Any help would be much appreciated.
Note: I lost my original install dvd, so I called Apple and asked for a replacement, they charged me $20 and sent the Snow Leopard disk that I am using as my replacement.
Thanks.

It's possible you got a disk from Apple you can't use. What you should have gotten were gray disks based on the Mac's serial number so you would get disks which were identical to the ones it came with.
If the disk you received has a picture of a Snow Leopard on it, then they sent you a 10.6.3 retail disk, which will not have any of the bundled iLife apps on it.
Much more important is the point release. If your Mac originally came with 10.6.4 or some later point release of Snow Leopard, then 10.6.3 will not install on that Mac. The necessary hardware drivers are not on the retail disk.

Core duo 2 ghz: Mac OSX cannot be installed on this computer

My intel core duo 2ghz macbook pro will not accept the instal of Leopard.
getting this error from the CD boot
"Mac OSX cannot be installed on this computer"
"restart"
I have confirmed this Fujitsu drive is formated GUID.
A Tiger install disk allows booting and Tiger install.
Whats the scret handshake to get this Leopard install to happen? Any help is appreciated.

What is the source of the DVD? Retail? DVD from a different computer?
Stedman

MAC Adobe Illustrator CS3 cannot be installed because it conflicts with Adobe Illustrator CS3

Model Name:iMac / Processor Name:Intel Core 2 Duo / Memory:4 GB
When I installed Illustrator CS3 at the first time, I didn't complete it and closed it. While I installed it again, it said "Adobe Illustrator CS3 cannot be installed because it conflicts with Adobe Illustrator CS3". I was be stopped on this step, so I deleted the Illustrator CS3 from Applications/Utilities/Adobe Installers without clicking it to uninstall. And I deleted other Illustrator CS3 files. After that, I tried to reinstall Illustrator CS3 again, but it kept to say "Adobe Illustrator CS3 cannot be installed because it conflicts with Adobe Illustrator CS3".
I cannot find any Illustrator in my MAC. What is wrong? How can I install Illustrator again? Should I format the computer and install all the applications again?

On the Adobe site probably under support do a search for Adobe CS 3 Clean Up Script.
Before running the script read the instructions al the instructions first, do not assume you understand from reading the first sentence. There are some files that are not so obvious that are necessary for activation and they are probably still around but they can only be removed by the script.
Next time you will have to read the instructions.
The only other ways around this is the do an archival reinstall of your system or if that does not work a complete reinstall of your system. Running the script is the easier and better way to do this but you must read the instructions completely first.

Trying to install Leopard on my 2005 Mac Mini. It keeps telling me "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer." Thoughts?

So I happened to receive a 2005 Mac Mini from my father that was running Ubuntu. Now I'd like to switch it back over to OS X. However, I boot up on the Leopard install disk to install it and it tells me that Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer. I've erased the hard drive as a Mac OS (Journaled). Any ideas?

If you hold the mouse button while you power the machine on, the disk will slide out and you can swap in the retail disk.
Then power off, and this time hold down the C key while booting up and it will boot off of the CD and put you in the installer, allow you to partition the disk, etc.

Cannot re-install any Mac OS (10.5/10.6)

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