Clean Install of Snowleopard - Can't be installed on this computer
I recently bought a secondhand Macbook (5,1) (2009), as my own Macbook (6,1) (2009) is about to give up. As I wanted a clean Macbook I, I followed the instructions to sweep the contents and then to install Snowleopard afresh, however Mac OS X Installer says it cannot be installed on this computer. Btw - I also have a time-machine backup from my own Macbook that I wanted to use to transfer all my data to the 'new' macbook.
Now all content is swept, but I can't install Mac OS X again. I can start the Macbook with the installation DVD and it comes to the Mac OS Installer program. It then only shows the option to restore the disk from a back up disk/time machine (which I don't have for this particular laptop, only for my 'own' one). I can't get out of that menu. If I click the option to restore, it activates the Installer program and I can go into Disk Utility and all that, but that does not help me further. There's no option for me to actually install Mac OS X.
Is there anything I can do to get the Macbook back to work? I just need to get the basic factory settings installed, after which I can add my 'own' files.
The MacBook 5,1 came with Leopard, 10.5.x. It may be stopping you from installing Snow Leopard because the drive's partition scheme is Apple Partition Map rather than GUID.
You would also need a retail copy of Snow Leopard, not a gray machine specific disk that came with another Mac. So if you're trying to use the 10.6.1 disk that came with the slightly newer MacBook that's about to give up, it won't work on the one you just purchased.
Get the retail Snow Leopard disk from Apple.
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I am using an Mac PPC version 10.5.8 and I am trying to download the correct version of Flash Player. I did once but I had to install a "Clean Install" of my computer and when finished I had put back the new Flash Player I just installed well every time I try install the new player it is place in my Trash Folder and I can not get Player to work. I did everything I was to install it correctly but it still does not install it correctly. Can some help me. Bob
Some MacBook Pro versions cannot be upgraded past 10.6.8; others are maxed out at 10.7.5. newer models can go all the way to 10.10. So it is important to know exactly what version you have--there may be close to 40 variants produced since the MB made its debut in 2006.
You can safely give us a snapshot of your model and its current config that will allow us to deternmmine your model and its upgrade potential, plus show it you have any software that may impede any upgrades. Please download and install this free utility:
http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck
It is secure and written by one of our most valued members to allow users to show details of their computer's configuration in Apple Support Communities without revealing any sensitive personal data.
Run the program and click the "Copy report to clipboard" button when it displays the results. Then return here and paste the report into a response to your initial post. It can often show if any harmful files/programs are dragging down your performance.
Remember that, on leaving OS10.6.8, you lose the ability to run older softare written for older PowerPC Macs (yours in Intel-based). Programs such as Office 2004 will no longer work (min of Office 2008 needed to work on newer OS versions), and AppleWorks will stop working completely -
Help!! What's going wrong here. I used to have iTunes installed on this computer but lost it when it crashed. I've tried re-installing it numerous times but I keep getting the same error message. "Error writing to file: C:\ProgramFiles\iTunes.Resources\es.lproj\iPadLicense.rtf. Verify that you have access to that directory." I know I have access to that directory because on a different computer I can sync my iPad and iPhone. What am I doing wrong? What do I need to go in and authorize or turn on? Any help greatly appreciated. Thank you.
That one's consistent with disk/file damage. The first thing I'd try with that is running a disk check (chkdsk) over your C drive.
XP instructions in the following document: How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP
Vista instructions in the following document: Check your hard disk for errors
Windows 7 instructions in the following document: How to use CHKDSK (Check Disk)
Select both Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors, or use chkdsk /r (depending on which way you decide to go about doing this). You'll almost certainly have to schedule the chkdsk to run on startup. The scan should take quite a while ... if it quits after a few minutes or seconds, something's interfering with the scan.
Does the chkdsk find/repair any damage? If so, can you get an install to go through properly afterwards? -
From the little research l have done, l have been convinced l may be having a dead hard drive though after having tried all the other troubleshooting tips found here, when trying to boot l get the grey screen and folder with the question mark suggesting it can not find the files neccessary to boot hence l tried booting with the disc and the message l get is that mac OS X can not be installed on this computer, though after doing the hardware check etc they all say okay. I've even tried erasing the drive and trying to instal the OS afresh with no luck. Any ideas or l must just get a new hard drive?
Pretty sure BGreg hit the nail on the head. If your hard drive was failing, you would still be able to at least attempt an install, provided your ard drive was mounting. You usually get that message when the disk is incompatible with the computer. If it is the proper disk, you might try erasing the disk (provided your info is backed up) using Disk Utility (under Utilities in the menubar) and choose the Mac OSX Extended (Journaled) format.
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I replaced my hard drive on my late 2006 Macbook Pro. I used the disk utility and erased the drive and formatted it to OSX Journaled . When I tried to install the OS from the start up disks I got the error "Can't install on this computer. I have verified the drive.
I have used Super Duper to copy my old drive to my new drive. But I wanted to do a fresh install. How do I go about this?Did you do the Super Duper clone before you tried to reinstall the OS? If so, the original install disc is likely earlier than 10.4.11, and that may be why you are getting the message.
When trying to reinstall the OS, did you select the "Archive and Install" option? If not, you might try that. Here's a link that might help:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1103.html
Good luck! -
I am unable to redownload OS X Mavericks on a Late 2013 new Macbook Pro 13". I get a message saying "We could not complete your purchase" " OS X Mavericks can not be installed on this computer"
I nee an easy way to resolve this with Apple.why is it this problematic to resolve?! obviously there's a valid installer image for our macs, why can we not have access to it to use on our laptops?
I do not understand, nor accept the explanation given before - about it being a newer model... it doesn't make sense... how does that translate to "no download available".
also, if it was a valid point - we would have had that download with the release of 10.9.1 - which we don't. -
Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer snow leopard
I just bought a new iMac and want to give my old iMac to my sister. It was bought during the leopard days and I upgraded it to Snow Leopard. I started up my iMac and went into Disk Utilities. I verified and repaired disk permissions. Then I went to verify Disk. This is where all the problems occured. It stops verifying and a pop-up says "Disk Utility sopped verifying "Macintosh HD" "This disk needs to be repaired. Start up your computer with another disk (such as your Mac OS X installation disc), and then use Disk Utility to repair this disk.
So I find the only Snow Leopard disk I have, which happens to be the one from my wife's MacBook Pro, I put in and hold down the "C" key until I get to the installer. I use English as my language, then another pop-up states the Mac OS X can't installed on this computer, I can either restart or install from a back "Time Machine". I didn't want to install, I just wanted to get to the Disk Utilities feature, but it is greyed out, along with everything else.
So here I sit lost on what to do next. Do I reinstall from Time Machine, or do I need to find the original Snow Leopard that I bought for my iMac?
Any Answers to this would be great.
Thanks.t-tech wrote:
I just bought a new iMac
New Mac's come with Lion and no boot disks, but a hold command r boot recovery partition.
t-tech wrote:
"This disk needs to be repaired. Start up your computer with another disk (such as your Mac OS X installation disc), and then use Disk Utility to repair this disk.
Silly Apple needs to fix that.
t-tech wrote:
So I find the only Snow Leopard disk I have, which happens to be the one from my wife's MacBook Pro, I put in and hold down the "C" key until I get to the installer. I use English as my language, then another pop-up states the Mac OS X can't installed on this computer, I can either restart or install from a back "Time Machine". I didn't want to install, I just wanted to get to the Disk Utilities feature, but it is greyed out, along with everything else.
Grey disks are machine model specific, surprised it gave you the limited options it did.
Don't use that disk for anything except the machine intended for it.
t-tech wrote:
So here I sit lost on what to do next. Do I reinstall from Time Machine, or do I need to find the original Snow Leopard that I bought for my iMac?
Depends upon the opertaing system your now using.
You say you "just bought a new iMac" that means like in the last week and Lion has been out for months now.
So first check under the Apple menu, Snow Leopard is 10.6.x and Lion is 10.7
If you have Snow, you need to order replacement disks from Apple with your serial number (apple menu > about this mac >get more info)
If you have Lion you need to learn some new things.
If it's 10.7 then it's Lion and it doesn't come with disks, a recovery partition that requires a strong reliable fast internet connection to download and reinstall Lion, but it has Disk Utility and can repair your Lion OS partiition, however if the problem is more serious then you need to try to make a Lion Recovery USB and boot from that to reinstall both Lion and the Recovery Partition.
You can thank Apple for adding another layer of complexity in their quest to remove the optical drives
Please make sure to have your data on a storage drive in addition to TimeMachine so you can do what you need, move the data to another machine.
Good luck with your studies.
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1433
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201 -
Hi, I just installed CS6 master collection from order history and when I try to enter Serial Number it tells me that: Serial number you provided is valid, but qualifying product can not be found on this computer. Then it gives me options under drop down menu but Master Collection CS6 is the only one not appearing in a drop down menu.
Your CS6 must have been purchased as an upgrade. What it is asking you to select/provide is the name/serial number of the previous version you purchased that qualifies you to install and activate the CS6 upgrade version... this would be likely be one of CS3 thru CS5.5.
Error "This serial number is not for a qualifying product" | CS6, CS5.5, CS5
http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/error-serial-number-qualifying-product.html -
Can't Install On This Computer message...
Hello All -
A few months ago I purchased a refurbished PowerBook from the Apple website. It came with OS 10.3.9 installed, but the disks for Tiger were sent with it. (The disk states it's the PowerBook G4 OS Version 10.4 AHT Version 2.5 and disk version 1.1 - if that means anything)
I went to upgrade the laptop to Tiger tonight, and I get an error at the beginning of the install that says it can't "be installed on this computer". Hmm. Not real specific.
Not even sure where to go with this one. Can anyone help?
Thanks!Hello,
Not necessarily. Some Macs originally sold at about
the time Tiger was released came with a full set of
model-specific Panther disks + a "drop in" updater
for 10.4, different from both the normal gray full
installer disks & the black retail ones.
That's what I said
The "Black OS 10.4 update disk" is the "drop in" update package. It's a black CD that physically looks the same as the retail disk. But, it does have slightly different writing on it.
When you insert that disk in the computer, it will identify itself as an "Upgrade" disk.
You are correct to add that some new systems sold with this update package as well around the time that OS 10.4 came out.
But, older refurbs are going to still be shipping with this update package to provide them with the current software versions.
It is
possible the refurb seller shipped this disk set
instead.
Yes, very possible that they shipped the newer grey disks instead of the original grey disks and the update package.
Anyway, you are right that the OP should call
Applecare about this, assuming it was obtained
through Apple.
Yes, Apple is the one to fix this problem. That's the only option at this point. -
I have macbook pro 15", 2,6 ghz, 8gb, osx 10.9 but the pop up window says that maverics can not be installed on this computer. why is that? thank you
Check here > OS X Mavericks: System Requirements
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I want to download the Mavericks installer so I have a backup installer that does not require the internet. Although, the App Store button allows me to download, I get a message that Mavericks cannot be installed on this computer.
Computer is late 2013 retina MBP 13" with lots of memory.
My OS is 10.9.1 (13B3116) currently running.
Is the App Store version of Mavericks too old (jan 16) for my rMBP?
RickJudging by the build number, it appears you have a special build of Mavericks installed and the App Store version (13B42) won't work with your computer.
Kappy - if I try to download Mavericks I get the message below, so apparently I can down load it again?
I also have a copy of the installer in my Applications folder, although it is in a folder. -
Upgraded to 10.7.5 but still says it can't be installed on this computer
My computer was a 10.6.8 (sorry if whatever terminology I'm using isn't correct, I've been trying to learn as I go), but this error kept coming up that said Mavericks can't be installed on this computer. I read somewhere that in this particular version I have, (2,2) I don't know what significance that is, I can't get Mavericks with that and the only other upgrade I can get is Lion. So I figured if I got Lion, then I could get Mavericks, right? I guess not. Whenever I click the install button it still says, "OS X Mavericks cannot be installed on this computer."
Can someone please explain why this is or what I can do, if anything?
Thanks (:Try "Pacifist"!
Pacifist is an application for Mac OS X that opens up .pkg installer packages, .dmg disk images, .zip, .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.bz2, .pax, and .xar archives, and more, and lets you install individual files out of them. This is useful if you need to install just one file out of a package instead of the entire package -
Can't install on this computer
My mother bought a white mac book a year or two ago, and I have no idea what happened, but it stopped working. my brother did an erase of the hard drive with the idea of installing leopard from a retail disk.
he did that but now gets the message "can't be installed on this computer."
can anyone tell me what's going wrong? I thought the retail disks should have no problem on her computer.
thanks for any help,
jeffDepending on when the Leopard install disc was originally sold, it may be older than the MacBook you're trying to install it on. That means it might be lacking drivers for the specific components in the laptop.
Your mother's computer should have come with install discs when it was sold. If those are lost, you can call AppleCare (you'll need her serial number) and they can ship you replacement install discs for a small fee. -
I have a 13" Macbook (Early 2009), 2gb memory, 9.29GB of free space and v10.6.8 already installed and yet when I click to download Mavericks, a popup comes up on the screen saying "Sorry, Mavericks cannot be installed to this computer". Why not??
Something does not match up. Check your year of manufacture.
To install Mavericks, you need one of these Macs:
iMac (Mid-2007 or later)
MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid-2009 or later),
MacBook Pro (15-inch or 17-inch, Mid/Late 2007 or later)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or later)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or later)
Xserve (Early 2009)
Your Mac also needs:
OS X Mountain Lion, Lion, or Snow Leopard v10.6.8 already installed
2 GB or more of memory
8 GB or more of available space -
"Mac OSX cannot be installed on this computer" Error
What Mac/Specs:
I am trying to completely clear out and reformat a 13" MacBook Pro 2.26Ghz with the 250GB hard drive (mid-2010 version) which had been running Mountain Lion to its "factory" settings.
Hurdle 1:
When I tried to reformat it I had the erase/partition options greyed out. Duh- needed to use a different start up disk.
Actions taken & Hurdle 2:
I then inserted the original disk (with OSX10.6) and started up with the C key held down but ended up getting the above error message "Mac OSX cannot be installed on this computer".
Actions taken 2:
I tried to "backup from Time Machine" (as that was the only option I could click other than restarting) and managed to access the Disk Utillity that way. I was then able to erase and re-partition the drive as Mac Extended Journaled and made sure that the S.M.A.R.T. verification was verified before I did so.
Hurdle 3 (= Hurdle 2):
This got me to the point of having a clean slate but the error message persists.
Question:
What can I do to move forward? I do not want to reinstall Mountain Lion, I want to pass on the computer restored to its original factory settings.
Please and thank you.Sorry for the late update- I ended up checking the disks (I have two MacBook Pros bought two months apart) and tried the other one. Turns out that though they were the same OSX (10.6.3 v1) they had different teeny serial numbers.
To answer BDAqua- yes, it was the disk for the same MacBook Pro model but clearly not "same" enough. And no- the disks had never been used. Pleased to report that it is all sorted now, but wanted to thank you massively for your answer anyway.
You had it in one!
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