Installing Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro if DVD drive doesn't work

My superdrive is very finicky, and I don't want to risk an install with it if it decides to kick the DVD out halfway through the install. Can I connect to my iMac and install VIA firewire? I tried this today but the install seemed to stall and wouldn't progress. I had to do a hard restart which I know neither machine liked very much. Ideas? Advice?

You can connect them via Firewire cable. Both machines must be Intel models. Boot the MBP into Target Disk Mode. Boot the iMac from the OS X Installer DVD:
Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
Proceed to the screen where you select the destination drive. Select your MBP's disk drive then click on the Option button. Select the Erase and Install option then click on the OK button. Complete your installation.
When finished Eject the MBP's disk drive from the iMac. Shut down the MBP and remove the Firewire cable.

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I have an older IMac 5. I installed snow Leopard on. Now my DVD drive is not working. Discs go in but it dosn't boot up or show in finder. Then disc won't eject unless i shut down and restart. HELP !

I have an older IMac 5. I installed snow Leopard on. Now my DVD drive is not working. Discs go in but it dosn't boot up or show in finder. Then disc won't eject unless i shut down and restart. HELP !

Snow Leopard cannot run on a PPC G5 Mac as it requires an Intel processor. Please confirm what Mac you have.

Can't install Snow Leopard on Macbook Pro MC700 - 3 beeps after installer starts.

can't install Snow Leopard on Macbook Pro MC700 - 3 beeps after installer starts (10.6.3 retail). Lion installer starts normally. What's a problem?

I have the same trouble, I try installing rEFI but when I try start my Pro from DVD doesn't recognize.
Can I start from USB Memory? with files from SL DVD? or have some thing else?
I have original DVD of SL 10.6.3, if I buy the latest stable version, can I install? or the EFI firmware with Lion change again?
I try to use Lion, more than one week but I can't, and some app that I use for my profession, doesn't work, I really need downgrade to SL.
Really Thanks for any help.
Pablo

Cannot install snow leopard in macbook pro early 2011. disk is rejected. what do I do?

Unable to install snow leopard in macbook pro early 2011. When I put in the disk, the computer does not accept it. What can I do?

lord1908,
some Early 2011 MacBook Pros originally came with Snow Leopard installed, and some originally came with Lion installed. If yours originally came with Snow Leopard installed, then you should be able to install Snow Leopard from its model-specific grey Mac OS X Install DVD. (The white retail Snow Leopard DVD can’t be used with it; it was made for use with earlier models, which originally came with either Tiger or Leopard installed.) If yours originally came with Lion installed, then it won’t accept any Snow Leopard DVD; instead, you’d be able to use OS X Internet Recovery to download and install its original version of Lion from Apple’s servers.

How to install Snow Leopard on Macbook Pro? keep getting msg- cannot install Internal HD is used for Time Machine- this was reset to external HD and still get msg?

How to install Snow Leopard on Macbook Pro? keep getting msg- cannot install Internal HD is used for Time Machine- this was reset to external HD and still get msg?

At some point, your internal HD was selected for use as Time Machine backups, and a Backups.backupdb folder was created at the top level. So OSX thinks you're trying to install it on the same drive as your backups.
Open your internal HD with the Finder (you won't find it via a Spotlight or Finder search) and delete that folder.

Can't install Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro - DVD won't mount

I am unable to install Snow Leopard on my MacBook Pro as the DVD won't mount. This is an early 2008 vintage MacBook Pro, intel core duo...
I'm using a OS X Snow Leopard install DVD (family licensed). This DVD has been used to install 3 other Macs in my house without a problem (about a year ago), but cannot be used to upgrade my MBP. Actually, this disk mounted on the MBP exactly once - inserted with system up, the disk mounted. Upon running the installed (a year ago), the computer restarted but hung in boot. After getting the disk ejected and the computer restarted, the disk would never mount again. I've defered upgrade for a year but at this point need to upgrade my MBP at least to Snow Leopard and possibly Lion.
The problem doesn't seem to be with the DVD, since it continues to mount fine in other computers, and in fact a borrowed Snow Leopard DVD also will not mount on the MBP.
BUT ... the problem also does not seem to be with the optical drive in my computer, as it can read & mount the install/restore disks that came with the computer as well as other CDs and DVD ROMs. Only the Snow Leopard install DVDs fail to mount.
I've also tried mounting the 10.6 install DVD on my Mac Pro desktop, making it available over the network (ethernet) with DVD/CD sharing. I can mount the remote disk from my MBP that way, but when I launch the installer, the application launches (its own menus are displayed, I can quit from menu, for example) but does nothing -- no windows open, nothing.
I've also tried "Remote Install" (again with the DVD made available with the Remote Install MacOS X application on my desktop), but when I boot the MBP with option held down, the remote disk is not available as a startup disk.
Zapping the PRAM did not help.
Am off to the store to get an optical drive cleaning kit and a blank DVD big enough to burn a new disk image, but would appreciate any further ideas at this point....

Solution that worked: Copy the Install DVD to a USB flash drive and boot from that.
http://www.maciverse.com/install-os-x-snow-leopard-from-usb-flash-drive.html
Up and running with Snow Leopard now and working on the updates.

Installing Snow Leopard on Macbook Pro 15'' 2.4 ghz

I have a MacBook Pro 15" 2.4ghz Intel Core Duo with 2 Gigs Ram and it comes with Leopard. I'm having problems installing Snow Leopard, keeps giving me the option to Backup or Restart. Is there something I'm doing or missing? Please help.

How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your current Tiger Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and later.) 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).

Installing Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro primo 2011

How do I install Snow Leopard on my MacBook Pro primo 2011?
It came pre-installed with Lion.
When I put in my Snow Leopard DVD I just get a kernel panic and must restart.
Help! I can't use Lion on my university so I need Snow Leopard.

Hello,
In response to eww, and others.
I have a MacBook Pro 15" early 2011, shipped with Lion.
I installed Snow Leopard 10.6.7 with a grey disk from an other MacBook Pro 15" early 2011, shipped with SnowLeopard 10.6.7!
It works except that the trackpad isn't recognised correctly. In System preferences, if I click on TrackPad, I don't have the full options, but it's waiting for an external bluetooth trackpad. So I can't have the multi touch options.
If I click on mouse, instead of waiting for an bluetooth mouse, i can set the speed of the mouse with two cursors.
Do you think that an other instal can fix the problem? Maybe by apple care as eww said, or with a genius in an Apple Store.
Thanks
dogm

Icant install snow leopard in macbook pro

when i wont to install snow leopard in my macbook pro it say

no i download this from internt but i have a retail dvd buy from internet but when i wont install it say
but i can install lion os why and how can ifix the problem

What is the Best Way to Re-Image and Re-Install Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro

Hello,
Is there a well documented best practices procedure for re-imaging and re-installing Snow Leopard on a MacBook Pro?
Thank you for any assistance.
Tony

Hi Tony;
The only best practices I know for that is backup first. I usually suggest a bootable clone that has been tested so that you are sure it is bootable. Insert DVD and boot from the DVD. Then install Snow Leopard. That's it.
Allan

Cannot Install Snow Leopard on Macbook Pro 7,1

Hello guys,
I've recently bought a USED Macbook Pro, which has installed Mac O SX Lion (10.7)
The thing is I need to install Snow Leopard and I can't do it. I have tried by simply clickin on the Installer Icon and also by booting pressing the key "Option" but when I do this the system asks me to restart my Macbook.
The DVD I'm using a Original Copy of Snow Leopard 10.6
Any ideas? Please! Help me!
my Macbook Pro:
Macbook Pro 7,1
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4
4 GB Ram DDR3
HD 250 GB Hitachi HTS545025B9SA02

You need the SL discs that came with the coputer. The original SL DVD you have is probably too old to support the hardware on your Mac.

Can I install Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro 2013

Can I install Snow Leopard on my new MacBook Pro 2013. I'm so tired of the UGLY grey icons. I keep thinking that the mail or iPhoto window is not the active one because everything is grey. I use Snow Leopard on my 27inch iMac and love it. Nice RED delete button for mail, etc. Thanks

Firmware restrictions prevent directly loading any OSX earlier than what came with the system.
The *only* way around is to load SnowLeopard *Server* (not Client) into a virtual machine (Parallels, VMWare Fusion, VirtualBox). But that costs $20+shipping/tax for the disk and is a learning curve into SL Server. And you *still* need your host OSX to run it, and the VM will not most efficiently use the hardware resources.

Help on installing Snow Leopard on Macbook pro mid 2009

I have macbook pro mid 2009 with 10.5.8 upgrade as latest. I am planning to install snow leopard on it. However before i do that i will upgrade the hard disk to 500gb and ram to 8 gb. As i never done reinstalling os on mac My question is
Should i install the original os first (which is leopard) and then upgrade it to snow leopard and backup my files from time machine ?
or
Can i just install snow leopard and back up my files from time machine?
Thanks for your answers in advance

I would upgrade your system to Snow Leopard first, then backup the entire system to Time Machine. Then upgrade your hard drive install Mac OS X 10.6 then on the set up screen (Do You Already Own a Mac?" click the button that states "from a Time Machine backup".

Installing Snow Leopard from Macbook Pro on a desktop MacPro?

So in a few days my new Macbook Pro will arrive (old powerbook's screen committed suicide). Snow Leopard and iLife will be installed as well as the discs of these programs. I have a Intel Mac Pro that is still running Tiger along with the old iLife stuff. Can I use the Macbook's software discs to install Snow Leopard and iLife on the MacPro desktop?

This is asked here frequently, maybe once a week, so you might want to search Discussions for more info, but the slightly longer answer than already posted is:
1. The license that comes with the software included with a new Mac prohibits its use with any other Mac.
2. The installer discs that ship with Macs include technical measures to prevent users from violating that license provision.
If you want to run Snow Leopard & the upgraded versions of iLife on the older Mac, you need to buy licensed retail copies of each for that. Snow Leopard is only $29. iLife '09 is $79 from Apple, less from some online retailers like Amazon.com.

Installing Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro

I have a question about the install.
I put in the disc and choose to install Snow Leopard.
It started the install, did a reboot and came back and said 45 mins remaining...
then when it past that amount of time, it started to go into negative time. Right now it says -1 hours -2 minutes. And just keeps going up from there.
Is this installing correctly? Should I quit the install?
Most people have said it installs in less than an hour...
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

That shouldn't be the problem, but one never knows. This is pretty baffling. I'm even surprised that Carolyn's install took that long. I had to install SL like 4 times before it took and it never exceeded 15 minutes each time.
I hope you have a good back up or clone to fall back on if things go poorly.
You can only wait it out though, it's true that stopping too soon may make your Mac unusable. If it doesn't resolve itself, then that's where the Apple "Pros" come in. Depending on the Apple Store, I use that term rather loosely. SL was supposed to install over ones existing 10.5.8 system pretty seamlessly. What's happened for quite a few people is that it hasn't. I had to do a complete erase and install with nothing migrated over whatsoever to get the best results.
I wish you luck with this, I would be very nervous in your shoes, but it's still only software. The most you may lose is data. A bad thing to be sure, but at least your Mac will still be safe.

Installing Snow Leopard on MacBook Pro if DVD drive doesn't work

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