Circle slash during snow leopard install

Mac book pro, 2006 model, has been running the snow leopard update install for four days. Screen is grey with do not enter circle and slash. The ticker is moving still and there is sound of the drive moving. Should it take this long. Should I pull the plug. I have everything backed up but would like the update to complete. I just tried calling apple, but I do not want to pull my battery out to see the serial number, they would not patch me through to a technical expert without the serial number.
Suggestions?

It takes no more than half an hour to complete the Install or any update once the files are available on your computer. Something has been damaged.
This article covers the Prohibitory sign:
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

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Can't restart in any mode after crash during snow leopard install.

i have had repeated kernel panics. taken laptop to apple store twice in the past few weeks and they found nothing. suggested upgrading to snow leopard (i was on leopard) and the computer froze and flashed during the install and crashed. now it won't start in any mode. not safe mode, off the leopard install disk. i either get a flashing folder with a question mark or just a black screen. anything else i can try or has the system totally crashed. this is an 07 macbook pro.

heatharnold wrote:
...do I need to start all over.
Daniel ~ Welcome to the discussions. If you didn't backup iWeb's key Domain file before the clean install, you'll probably need to start over. I say "probably" because even though you didn't deliberately back up the Domain file, perhaps you were running Time Machine — in which case, there's still hope:
Recovering items using Time Machine and Spotlight
Only iWeb's Domain file can be opened in iWeb. See this Apple doc on How to back up MobileMe data. It says:
Any websites you have published with iWeb should still be available within iWeb. iWeb stores everything in a Domain file, normally located in the ~/Library/Application Support/iWeb folder (although it can be moved). If you no longer have this file, you can view your currently published pages and manually recreate them within iWeb, but there is no way to import published pages back into iWeb.
You can manually back up the Domain file, or use Backup to back it up.
Paragraph 2.3 of this FAQ page gives some tips on how to use published files, graphics, photos, etc., to help rebuild the site from scratch:
http://iwebfaq.org/site/iWebBackupretrieve.html
And in future:
_iWeb ’08: Backing up your Domain file_

Attempting Disk repair with Snow Leopard install DVD. Prompted to restart several times

Hi,
I'm trying to do a disk repair with my MBP (2010, OS X snow leopard). I tried to enter Disk Utility with my Snow Leopard install DVD by pressing down "c" during startup but it gives me a grey screen in several languages prompting me to restart again. Restarted and I get the same screen. Can anyone help me?

You are getting a (kernel) panic crash booting from the installer dvd? Hmmm. That's doesn't sound good. Try resetting smc and pram.
If that doesn't fix it try to boot the Apple Hardware Test and check your machine -- assuming that will boot?
Also look inside if you get that panic crash and see if there are any diagnostic leds lit.
If this continues you might try disconnecting all unnecessary peripherals (usb, fw, extra drives).

How do I erase my hard drive? My initial operating system was Snow Leopard but I have upgraded to Mavericks OS. My Snow Leopard install disk ejects when I try and use it.

How do I erase my hard drive? My initial operating system was Snow Leopard but I have upgraded to Mavericks OS. My Snow Leopard install disk ejects when I try and use it.

Do a backup, preferable 2 separate ones on 2 drives. Boot to the Recovery Volume (command - R on a restart or hold down the option/alt key during a restart and select Recovery Volume). Run Disk Utility Verify/Repair and Repair Permissions until you get no errors. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Then re-install the OS.
OS X Recovery
OS X Recovery (2)
When you reboot, use Setup Assistant to restore your data.

17 inch i7 Macbook Pro Snow leopard install problems

Got my new 17 inch i7 MBP, powered it up everythings fine. So I go to re partition the drive and do a clean system install. Middle of the install it fails. Log file shows it cant read files from the DVD.
So I grab a snow leopard install version 10.6 to install from. It will not boot the mbp i7. It hangs on the apple screen with no activity circle underneath the apple logo. Same for 10.6.2 SL install disc I have.
I then try to install SL to a external drive and update it to 10.6.3. It boots all my non i7 macs here but when I try to boot the i7 mbp it hangs again on the apple screen.
I really want to use the i7 machine and Im dreading waiting on apple to send me mbp 17 replacement disks. I have no problems buying a 10,6,3 version of the SL installer but after my experiences with 10.6 and 10.6.2 and the external disk to upgrade to 10.6.3 I have a feeling the i5/i7 machines need specific installer discs.
Is any one aware of this or run in to it yet ? Thanks.

The only OS installer that will work with your MBP is the one that came with the Mac originally so you will need to wait for a new set.

Snow Leopard Install Attempt

I've been trying to install Snow Leopard on my MacBook Pro, but I get a message that my hard drive needs to be repaired in order to install it.
That's part of my problem. My MacBook's SuperDrive needs a lozenge or something because it won't read or mount any type of disk (DVD/CD CD-R, blank DVD/CD CD-R, etc.), so I can't install SL from it.
I don't know if this really makes a difference, but I just want to throw this out there. My MacBook is running without a battery because it was bulging out and shutting down and behaving erratically. Just noticed that the battery is still getting bigger on its own. :-? These MagSafe adapters make it really easy for the computer to shut off.
I digress, I've tried to install it using Remote Install Mac OS X, which doesn't work because I don't get the networking option when I restart my computer (Only my HD shows up). I've tried reading the SL install DVD as a Remote Disk from an iMac here, but that message during installation about repairing my hard drive asks me to use Remote Install Mac OS X.
Can someone tell my how I would go about repairing my HD so I can install SL? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
There used to be a program for replacing a bulging battery like you describe. Even though the program is over, many posters have reported success at having a bulging battery replaced at no cost on the theory that it is bulging because it is defective. You might want to take it in to a genius bar and see what they say.
Under no circumstances use your Mac with the bulging battery installed--it can exert pressure from below and cause permanent damage to your Mac. Wrap it in heavy plastic and take it to Apple for proper disposal. It's not good to run with no battery, but it's riskier in my opinion to try to use one that is bulging.
Normally, you would boot from the Snow Leopard install disc, choose your language, and then go to the menu bar to utilities and go to Disk Utility. Then use Disk Utility (on the install disc) to repair your boot disk. If the disk cannot be repaired, do not proceed with the installation, but report back with what the error is. Also, while in Disk Utility, check the S.M.A.R.T. status and make sure it is verified.
However, I would recommend getting a new battery before attempting the installation. If you are under warranty, see about getting the optical drive fixed as well.
Good luck.

TS3243 My Desktop Mac won't startup, it turns on to the grey screen flashing question file. I have been able to startup from the snow leopard install cd but once I try to repair within DU the disk never appears in the side panel. The only thing there is "

My Desktop Mac won't startup, it turns on to the grey screen flashing question file. I have been able to startup from the snow leopard install cd but once I try to repair within DU the disk never appears in the side panel. The only thing there is "Media"... What can I do? Help!

If Disk Utility cannot see your drive it doesn't look good.
You could try DiskWarrior. It is expensive but can often fix directory structures where DU cannot.
Replacing the drive is also a strong likelihood. If you don't have a fairly recent backup, then it might be worth buying DiskWarrior
additonal notes;
Gray screen appears during startup

I have a copy of Windows 7, and I am trying to bring up Boot Camp on my MacBook with Snow Leopard. But my Snow Leopard install disk is too old for Windows 7, so attempted Boot Camp install of drivers fails.

I have a copy of Windows 7, and I am trying to bring up Boot Camp on my MacBook with Snow Leopard. But my Snow Leopard install disk is too old for Windows 7, so attempted Boot Camp install of drivers fails.
I have hand-installed the NVidia graphics driver, and I have keyboard, minimal trackpad, and hardwire to internet all working. So the WIndows machine is usable. But I am hurting for wi-fi, better trackpad, and whatever else is delivered by Boot Camp. I can't use any of the Boot Camp upgrades because I do not have XP or Vista.

While we all have MacBooks in this forum not all of us use Boot Camp. There's a Boot Camp Support Community where everybody uses Boot Camp. You should also post this question there.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/windows_software/boot_camp

Installing Mountain Lion from Snow Leopard, Install failed and HD write-locked

I recently downloaded the mountain lion installer from the App Store and I ran the installer. Stupid person as I am, I did not have any backups for my file and I naively assumed that an apple OS installer would be without flaws. Boy, was I wrong. I need every bytes of my data (or close to every bytes) but the installer failed.
Mid installation, the installer stopped and said that the installation failed and that I need to repair my disk. So I restarted the computer and I ran disk utilities (my start up disk was the OS installer and the installer allows me to run several programs, including terminal, disk utilities, and by the way, when I held option while starting up to see which start up disks I have, I only had the OS installer as the start up disk. Also, the installer allows me to run a program called "Startup Disk" when I click on the apple logo on the top left corner, but it doesn't allow me to startup my computer using Macintosh HD) and noticed that when I highlighted Macintosh HD, my "Repair Disk" button was grayed out. So first things first, I ran the "Verify Disk" button but after a minute or so, Disk Utilities said that verification failed and that Macintosh HD needs to be repaired. But the "repair disk" button is grayed out! So I went to the Mountain Lion installer again and ran it. Of course, it failed again so I restarted the computer.
So I tried to first back up all files in Macintosh HD to an external hard drive using Disk Utilities, and I used features such as "New Image" and "Restore" but they both ended up in "Input/Output error". I tried many methods with Disk Utilities but they resulted in errors.
After some research, I noticed that some people's computers worked after they reset their PRAM. So that's what I did. I held command+option+P+R when computer started up and I reset the PRAM. When the start up disk (which is the OS installer, not the normal operating system) loaded, I was greeted with choose languages option and then I was back in the Mountain Lion installer state. I again ran the installer again, hoping something would be different, but then it was different. But not in a good way. When I was told to choose where I would like to install Mountain Lion, I noticed that Macintosh HD was grayed out. Last time, I was at least able to run the installer but this time, Macintosh HD was grayed out. The installer said that my Macintosh HD was locked. After some research, I learned that apparently, the Mountain Lion installer write-locks Macintosh HD mid installation.
So now I am stuck and I am thinking of two things (plus some questions)
1. I am wondering if there is a way to unlock Macintosh HD. But even if I can unlock Macintosh HD, there is no guarantee that the installer will successfully install Mountain Lion, am I right?
a. so how can I un-write-lock Macintosh HD?
2. More realistically, I am thinking of borrowing someone else's macintosh computer and use it as the backup center. I have a firewire cable and a terrabyte external hard drive. So what I'm thinking is that I'll hook my computer in target mode to my friend's computer and I will also plug in my external hard drive to my friend's computer and then I can download and run Carbon Copy Cloner from my friend's computer to copy all data from my Macintosh HD to my external hard drive. And then I will erase my Macintosh HD, freshly install Mountain Lion onto it and then copy all data back from my external hard drive. But I am not sure about few things.
a. it looks like my Macintosh HD is write-locked. Can I still use Carbon Copy Cloner to copy all data from Macintosh HD (in target mode) to my external hard drive?
b. will my computer allow me to erase (or format) Macintosh HD?
c. will my erased/formatted Macintosh HD able to install + be installed Mountain Lion OS?
If you are here, then you have read my long long problem. Thank you very much and I would really really really appreciate your answers and opinions. Thanks

I'm not sure where you read that about the disk being "write-locked." That doesn't make much sense, given that the major task an installer like this must achieve is writing a whole bunch of files to the hard drive. I think your source was mistaken.
As to what happened, it sounds like your hard drive was badly corrupt to start with, or possibly was on the edge of failing and is now in the process of dying entirely. If you don't have backups of your data, that does not bode well for you, unfortunately. If you can manage to use target mode to copy your data, do that.
Once you're sure you've got all your data, you need to start up from your Snow Leopard install disk and repair the hard drive. (Since it sounds like the Mountain Lion installer didn't work, I wouldn't trust the recovery partition that Mountain Lion installs.) Or, even better, just erase the hard drive entirely and reinstall Snow Leopard. Then, once you're back up and running, with all your data back on the system and with Snow Leopard updated to the most recent version, try installing Mountain Lion again. If any of that fails again, the problem is likely to be a dying hard drive, and you'll need to replace it.

HP Photosmart C6300 printer/scanner not working after Snow Leopard install

HP Photosmart C6300 printer/scanner not working after Snow Leopard install
Reinstalling etc does not work - does anyone else have the same problem or a clue as to how to fix this?

Keith,
I got a C6280 and the scanner does not work anymore. I am for 6 days in contact with HP. The last printer driver install form the apple web site does not open the image of HewlettPackardPrinterDrivers.dmg because of an invalid checksum. The skipping of the validation gives and error in the install.

I want to install Yosemite onto an external hard drive, and keep Snow Leopard installed on the internal hard drive. I want to be able to boot from either system, depending upon circumstance (at least until Yosemite is stable). Is this possible?

iMac, Model Identifier iMac12,1 with 121.5" screen, 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory, 1 TB internal hard drive, running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 from internal drive.
I want to install Yosemite onto a 1 TB external hard drive (OWC) , and keep Snow Leopard installed on the internal hard drive. I want to be able to boot from either system, depending upon circumstance (at least until Yosemite is stable). Is this possible?

It is possible. I'll let you read some articles that cover the setup:
Starting from an external USB storage device (Intel-based Macs) - Apple Support
or
http://osxdaily.com/2013/06/22/boot-mac-external-drive/

How do I get Snow Leopard free Snow Leopard install DVD so I can upgrade to Lion and then be able to join the Cloud.

How do I get free Snow Leopard install DVD so I can then install LION and move to the Cloud?

Hi Robert,
If you are not a mobileme subscriber you will have to buy Snow Leopard install DVD. It is not free.
Good luck,
Alan

Can I restore a time machine osx lion backup using snow leopard install DVD?

Hi.
I've been using osx lion but my hard drive died. Fortunately I have been making time machine backups. Since I downloaded lion from the app store I only have the snow leopard install disks.
I know there is an option to restore from a time machine backup using the snow leopard disk, but since the time machine backup is of a later operating system (lion) will that time machine restore work?
If it won't, can you recommend how to restore from my time machine backup?
Thanks.

Once the replacement hard drive is installed, boot from your original Snow Leopard Installation Disk. From there format the harddrive and install Snow Leopard and then download and install its Updates. Next, navigate to the Mac App Store and login using the Exact same Apple User ID that you did the first time you downloaded Lion. You will now be able to download and install the Lion OS for Free. Download and install the Lion Updates. Lastly, using Migration Assistant, migrate your Apps and Data from the Time Machine external hard drive to your internal Lion harddrive. This method should give you a very stable version of Lion on your internal harddrive complete with all your previous settings, Apps and Data.
Hope this helps

Re-installing iPhoto '08 after "fresh" Snow Leopard install.

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse here, but I keep seeing conflicting info on whether or not one can, or should, do a drag-drop of iPhoto from one volume to another. Here's my story:
I had an older version of iPhoto on my iMac. I bought a MacBook in late 2008, which came with Leopard and iPhoto 08 (7.1.5). I did a simple iPhoto drag/drop from the MacBook to the iMac, also running Leopard. Things have been working fine for 1.5 years now.
I just did a Snow Leopard install onto a clean drive and, because SL doesn't include iPhoto, I again did a drag/drop of that same iPhoto app, this time from an older drive to the new SL boot drive, which had never been loaded with an operating system of any kind.
Again, things seem to be working fine.
Do I have any reason to worry that I might run into problems with this odd iPhoto "installation" on a Snow Leopard System? Why have I read so often that simply dragging iPhoto from one disk to another is to be avoided?
Thanks.

Frankly, I'm astonished that it even launches. iPhoto nowadays relies on many support files for the various features integrating with the OS and other apps and usually requires installation from an installer disk. I personally would install from a disk.
Regards
TD

I used utilities to source my 10.6 snow leopard install disc to my main hardrive, and now when I turn on my computer the apple with the spinning wheel stays on the screen and stuck like that. How do I fix it Help please. I already tried all the commands

I used utilities to source my 10.6 snow leopard install disc to my main hardrive, and now when I turn on my computer the apple with the spinning wheel stays on the screen and stuck like that. How do I fix it Help please. I already tried all the commands such as Command R, Holding down the Option key, C and holding down shift at the start up but nothing happens.
initialy All I was trying to do was downgrade 10.7 to 10.6 .

You have to consider the possibility the hard drive may be dying. If your data isn't backed up, try one of the tools below:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1689
Once you are sure your data is backed up, we can examine other possibilities. In the meantime call AppleCare for your original installation DVDs. You may need them.

Circle slash during snow leopard install

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