Installing Snow Leopard on a Vintage iMac that meets all the technical requirements

I am trying to install Snow Leopard on "Vintage" iMac that is currently running 10.5.8. I have the Snow Leopard DVD but when I put it in I get an error message that says "Mac OS X Snow Leopard cannot be installed on this computer". I have already confirmed with Apple Tech Support that my system meets the requirements and should be able to run Snow Leopard. Any suggestions? Is there another way to install the Operating System. Tech Support said they couldn't help any further because it is a Vintage. But they suggested posting a question to the apple community.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Try this first:
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Leopard Installer disc. 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 your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
Now boot from your Snow Leopard installer and try the installation.

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I installed snow leopard which I now realise that it was the wrong one because it came out before my laptop and now it won't changed from the grey screen with the apple on it how do I fix it ???

I installed snow leopard which I now realise that it was the wrong one because it came out before my laptop and now it won't changed from the grey screen with the apple on it how do I fix it ???

MacBook Pro
Apple - Support - MacBook Pro
Mac OS Version builds
When did yours come out? what does the above show as model and minimum build?
You should have yoru OEM OS X DVD, not one from another Mac, or retail, though the last retail OS X DVD was a year ago 10.6.3.
If it installed, I don't see an issue unless the drive had corrupt directory etc.
What you need to do is repair your boot drive or restore from backup.

HT201364 I can't seem to install Mavericks to my mac and my MacBook meet all the Mac requirements

I can't seem to install Mavericks to my mac and my MacBook meet all the Mac requirements...

If you are trying to see if you can track your mac but nothing comes up, be sure the mac is connected to wifi, not just using ethernet cable to a modem.

Can I install snow leopard, using my original disk that came with the computer, on my mac that has mavericks as its OS?

I recently had a new hard drive installed in my macbook pro (2009 model). Previously I was running snow leopard and refused to upgrade as I knew it would cause my pro tools to become incompatible, however when I received my knew, hard drive due to my old one becoming corrupt, the apple techs had installed lion as the OS, I updated to mavericks on the off chance the incompatibility was just with Lion. However I my Snow leopard disk is also incompatible with the new OS, I would like to know if there is any way to install snow leopard onto my mac while it is using mavericks?

Restart the computer with the disk in the drive and the C key held down and install Snow Leopard onto a blank partition or drive. If needed, use the Disk Utility to repartition or erase the internal one.
(109275)

I'm attempting to install snow leopard on my 2008 Imac and it stops installing less than 1/4 way through?

I'm attempting to install Snow Leopard on my 2008 Imac and before it 1/4 way done installing, it ejects the disc and restarts the computer. Is there something I am doing wrong?

See:
How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your current OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
Select the destination volume from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
D. To upgrade:
Purchase the Snow Leopard Retail DVD.
Boot From The OS X Installer Disc:
Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
Restart the computer.
Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
Wait for installer to finish loading.
E. If updating:
Download and install update(s)
Use Software Update, or
Download standalone updater(s).

Cannot install Snow Leopard on Late 2006 iMac with 10.5.8

I tried already two times to update my iMac (currently on OS X Leopard 10.5.8) to Snow Leopard. The update process runs for about 20 minutes. The iMac restarts, and then there's a message that Snow Leopard cannot be installed. One shall contact the software's manufacturer. I checked in the Installer log file and it says something like it could not u(n)mount a volume.
There are 2 external hard drives connected to the iMac via FireWire (one for TimeMachine). Do I have to disconnect them before installing? There's also a TV tuner (DVB-S) from Terratec connected via USB and EyeTV (a version compatible to Snow Leopard) is installed. I already thought that it is maybe the EyeTV software (that came with the Terratec tuner) that prevents the installer from proceeding ...
As stated, I gave it two tries:
The first time I booted the iMac from an external hard drive with 10.5.8 installed on it, ran disk utility to check, repair permissions and verify the iMac's internal disk (--> everything was fine) and then inserted the Snow Leopard DVD and launched the installer.
The second time I booted the iMac from its internal hard disk (with 10.5.8) (=the disk on which I wanted to install Snow Leopard), inserted the DVD and launched the installer.
No success in both cases.
Any suggestions, help ??
Thanks a lot in advance!
Rainer

I think it will work if you restart from the Snow Leopard installation disc. Insert disc. Restart with the C key held down to force startup from the optical drive. You have already done a +Repair Disk+, which is a smart move before doing any system installation. So when Installer comes up, just proceed with the installation targeting your internal drive.

HT201364 my imac 2007 meets all the specs for the mavericks update but will not update im very confused

my 2007 macbook meets all specs and required system specs to download mavericks. but it will not download it says my computer isnt running the correct proccesor. i have a screenshot for proof of commet.

Are you sure you don't have this iMac:
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP28
... and that you have this one:
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP16

How can I install snow leopard on 2010 MacBook Pro that has no os?

I purchased a 2010 MacBook Pro on eBay and it was delivered with no operating system. It has disk utility recovery, but the choices listed don't apply. I don't have an time machine backup, nor can I restore Mavericks. I bought a copy of Snow Leopard to install, but can't figure out how to do it. Hoping someone out there has some suggestions.

In his usual diplomatic, understated way, Ogelthorpe has told you the truth.
MacBook Pro
Date introduced
Original Mac OS X included
(see Tips 1 and 3)
Later Mac OS X included
(see Tip 1)
Mac OS X Build(s)
(see Tip 2)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)
Apr 2010
10.6.3
10.6.4
10D2063a, 10D2094, 10D2101a, 10F2108
The version on the "Full Retail" 10.6.3 DVD is likely to be build 10D575, which is too early to Install and run on that MacBook, which shipped with one of the custom versions listed in the box above.

OS X Mavericks is not installing even though my Mac meets all the system requirements. How do I fix this?

How do you install Mavericks on a mac with 10.6.8 version?

Just to make absolutely sure, here are the requirements:
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 installe
2 GB or more of memory
8 GB or more of available space
When you try to download Mavericks from the App Store, what happens?

14 out of 15 MAcbooks installed snow leopard succesfully. One machine keeps spitting out the CD! Why? What can be done to upgrade machine?

Trying to upgrade Os X. 14 out of 15 MacBooks installed succesfully. One machine keeps spitting out the CD! Why? What can be done to upgrade machine?

Sounds like the optical drive may be on it's way out. It should be possible to connect the Mac to one of the others by firewire and do the installation by booting from the install disc in the donor Mac, then choosing the remote HD as the target when prompted.

Can I install Snow Leopard in my new 2013 iMac???

Hello:
Can I install Snow Leopard in my new iMac (2013)?
Or will have problems with drivers of new iMac???
Maverick is a potato!!! 200 New features but 200 or 300 lost features too !!!
Thanks.
Joseba

Free updates to Pages and Numbers are available from the App Store. Sharing your iPhoto Library is another matter, discussed in iPhoto for Mac.

Will it work to un-install Snow Leopard (booting from original disks) and then reinstall, then upgrade without erasing hard drive on iMac?

I have both a bootable backup exernal hard drive and the original system disks. I have read on these support pages that you cannot get snow leopard freshly installed without erasing the whole whole drive since the original installation disks are older than the current updated version. I have also read here that it is possible to get the system newly installed (though it's wise to have a back up of the rest of your files). I need to know which can work. Is there an un-install function after booting from a different source? If I can get the system filess off the main hard drive and then install Snow Leopard from my original disks, then go through the upgrades, and end up with the rest of my files intact, that would be wonderful. I have all the adobe design premium software on the system with their updates and would like to not spend hours and hours restoring it all. And since I don't know where all the little bits and pieces of the Adobe programs get installed, perhaps it won't work anyway?
thanks,
Kahty

I have read on these support pages that you cannot get snow leopard freshly installed without erasing the whole whole drive since the original installation disks are older than the current updated version.
That is incorrect. You can install an older version of the same OS over itself. With Snow Leopard and later, unless you intentionally select to erase the drive, the OS removes and replaces all remnants of the current OS and leaves all of your third party apps, personal files and settings intact.
I have also read here that it is possible to get the system newly installed (though it's wise to have a back up of the rest of your files).
That is the correct information.
Is there an un-install function after booting from a different source? If I can get the system files off the main hard drive and then install Snow Leopard from my original disks, then go through the upgrades, and end up with the rest of my files intact, that would be wonderful.
No, there is no way to remove just the OS files from a drive. At least, not in any manner you could call easy. There are thousands of hidden files and folders related to UNIX. Many apps won't even run correctly, or at all, if they're not on the same drive you are starting up to. So trying to separate your third party apps from the drive the OS is on is not a good idea.
I have all the adobe design premium software on the system with their updates and would like to not spend hours and hours restoring it all.
If your end goal is to simply get the contents of the external drive onto a new internal drive in a bootable form, you can use Disk Utility to clone the drive, or use one of two excellent third party apps; SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner.

How to partition to install Snow Leopard and Lion on one computer

My first posting:
My iMac came with Leopard. I upgraded to Lion, 3 months ago. I found out that Appleworks doesn't work anymore... very displeased because I always used Mac Strong points (for the past 30 years), which is drawing, like McDraw, McDraw 11, Clarisworks, Appleworks, etc. Apple could have have included a software in iworks to open the numerous works I have done over the years in drawing. Now iDVD doesn't come with Lion anymore. Another blow from Apple!! And iDVD 7.1.2 (after upgrade from Leopard's iDVD) doesn't work too well in Lion... quite a few things are wrong.
Consequently, I want to install Leopard in an external HD, where I could use Appleworks and iDVD.
I have a 1 tera WD Firewire as an external HD. I have tried a few ways to install Leopard on my external HD with no succes.
I have tried "partionning" the external HD, but when it came to "Scan disc image" of Leopard, I had the message: Unable to scan "Install" (Resource busy)
I have tried to install with original Leopard DVD, but after pushing restart (to chose my external HD), then my computer keeps asking me to push restart.
Can anymore can tell me how to properly install Leopard on my external HD?
MartinR says:
Connect your WD Firewire drive. Open Disk Utility and check to make sure that it is partitioned as GUID partition scheme (assuming you have an Intel iMac) and is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). If not, you will need to repartition and reformat the drive - note that this will erase everything that is on the drive.
Notes:
-If you have an Intel Mac you cannot install OS X to a drive that is partitioned as Apple Partition Map; it must be GUID Partition Scheme.
-Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is the same as the "HFS+" as previously mentioned.
-For the disk to be bootable it must be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) not plain Mac OS Extended.
Next, insert your Leopard install DVD in your iMac. If the installer opens, just exit/close the installer window. Do not remove the Leopard install DVD from the drive.
Shut down your Mac. Then restart it by holding down the "C" key while it starts. This will make your iMac start from the Leopard install disk that is in the CD/DVD drive. You should then be able to select your external WD drive and install Leopard there.
My response to MartinR (I appreciate the dedication of the helpers)
I tried MartinR solution but it doesn't work. When I restart and keep "C" depressed, after a while, a kind of gray drape closes the screen and tells me I have to restart my computer par pressing "restart" for a few seconds. Then when the computer reboots, it tells me there was a problem and had to restart the computer with a report to Apple window.
I wonder if my computer is not defective? In 30 years, this is the only Apple computer that broke down on me (Always been faitful to Apple computers in spite of the fact they had little apps then), and twice on top of that. The first repair was done by Apple in Wellington Mall, Florida (hard drive had to be replaced); the second time was Northstar Computer in Sudbury, Ontario (optical drive had to replaced). Maybe that tells us something? Were replacement parts up to par? My computer seems to be working OK. I verified my HD with Disk Utility, and everything was OK.
My computer is an Intel Core 2 Duo, 3.06 GHz and 4 GB of ram.
My WD external drive is formatted as GUID Partition Table, and Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

baltwo wrote:
Can't recall which I used to do the dynamic repartitioning.
I'm betting that it was originally Partitioned with Snow Leopard.
As a test I just added a second Partition with Mountain Lion to a FireWire HD and it would not let me Install Snow Leopard from my System or Retail Disc into the Partition.

Installing snow leopard by target disk firewire

i am re installing snow leopard by target disk fire wire. the installer hangs after the first reboot. it leaves a folder called install data with loads of.pkg files. trying an external dvd drive but that's even slower. any ideas?
thanks
Dave

Can your iMac even startup from a Snow Leopard disc? In order to install Snow Leopard on your MBP you need to boot the iMac from the Snow Leopard installer DVD. The MBP is then started in TDM. Then follow this:
     1. 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.
     2. 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.
     3. 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.
When the installation is completed the MBP should restart into the Setup Assistant of Snow Leopard.
I should warn you that the above may not work because if your iMac came with Snow Leopard, then it came with a version that was exclusive to that model meaning it may not work on the MBP, and that may be why you couldn't boot it.
You can order replacement discs for the MBP from Apple:
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
To contact product and tech support: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes
international calling numbers..

Need help installing Snow Leopard.

Need help installing Snow Leopard on a 2009 iMac. Hard drive is only choice for location and message says hard drive can't be used because it is used for Time Machine backups. Ultimate goal is to upgrade to OS 10.6.8.

Check to see if you have a file called backup.backupdb
If you do that means at some time in the past Time Machine was configure to backup to that drive
If that is not where you want your backup to to go, and it should not be stored there any way, then delete it and the install should work then.
Allan

Installing Snow Leopard on a Vintage iMac that meets all the technical requirements

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