Leopard Mysteriously "Cannot be installed on this computer"

I've been trying to install Leopard on my (slightly used) Intel MacBook since last night over and over. Every time I boot and start the Leopard Installer, the first thing I see is a window that says "This software cannot be installed on this computer". I've checked all over the internet and my computer and everything (to my knowledge, and patience) is up to date. I have absolutely no idea why this installer just doesn't want to work. I'm installing Leopard from my father's installer disc "1" that came with his MacBook Pro. I'd like to get this all done before my personal deadline (January 7), so if anyone could help me out (quickly!), it'd be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
R_P.

"Federico_82" is correct. The gray disks that are shipped with the computer can only be used on the computer they shipped with and will not run on any other machine. You need to purchase the "Retail" version of 10.5 to install it on your machine.

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"mac os x snow leopard cannot be installed on this computer"
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1.83Ghz
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Actually i have Mac OS X 10.5.4 DVD, I need to upgrade it to Snow Loepard(OS X 10.6)...
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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.

Leopard won't install on Core Duo - "Cannot be installed on this computer"

Hi,
I have a white MacBook 2GHz Intel and took from a friends black Macbook 2.2GHz Leopard DVD's to install since he will use a mac for Vista. When I try to install it I get a message "This software cannot be installed on this computer" !!! I was surfing on the net but this is usualy problem with old mac's but I cannot believe that my NB is not supported ?!?! Can anyone help ? Also, Apple Hardware Test from Leopard DVD's is giving the same message.

No they are not. 10.5 OS/X install disks are universal. They will not mention MacBook on them. You can not use these CD's on another machine for two reasons: first they will not work. second: it was a license violation for them to be given to you.
-Chris

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Does your computer meet the requirements listed below?
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),
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MacBook Air (Late 2008 or later)
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Hi all,
When I want to upgrade my snow leopard to mavericks the app store is telling me that Mavericks cannot be installed on this computer. So I've checked the System Requirements and I should be good.
Model Name:          MacBook
Model Identifier:          MacBook4,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          3 MB
Memory:          4 GB
Bus Speed:          800 MHz
Please let me know if you see in these info something that would explain why I cannot upgrade.
Cheers

As above
Pete
Message was edited by: petermac87

Error Leopard Install "This software cannot be Installed on this computer"

I formated the hard drive with my Leopard cd disk utility then did a 7 pass erase still getting message "This software cannot be installed on this computer"
Installer log says:
localhost LCA [65]: Folder manager is being asked to create a folder (cach) while running as uid 0
Installer log says: localhost LCA [65]: Folder manager is being asked to create a folder (asav) while running as uid 0
localhost OSInstaller [146]: Installation check failed.
localhost OSInstaller [146]: Installation check failures: This software cannot...
localhost OSInstaller [146]: Folder Manager is being asked to create a folder (asav) while running as uid 0
Model Name: Mac mini
Model Identifier: Macmini1,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 1.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 2 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B08
SMC Version: 1.3f4
Serial Number: G87243UBW0C

JillTechie wrote:
Yes, I'm using the gray 2 disc set of Lepoard, full version, and yes I chose the GUID type partition.
Do you know what the error log messages mean? or how to fix it so it will install as now I have nothing. I don't have any Tiger disks to go back to because I got my Mac Mini used.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank You, Jill
It sounds as if the CD set you have is not for the computer you purchased. Each CD set is made specifically for the computer for which it ships with. That CD set will not work on any other computer.

"Snow Leopard cannot be installed on this computer"

I have a 2008-2009 mac book pro (The kind that's all silver, no black), It's currently running 10.5.8. I have a snow leopard disk, and the computer sees it. Then when I go to start begin the installation I get "Snow Leopard cannot be installed on this computer." I want to upgrade and I don't want to just go ahead of myself and screw up my macbook, so please give me a hand some one?.
Thanks

Just wanted to share with you 2 more reasons it might be. Tech support was going for the hard drive set up being old. That was one reason they wanted me to reformat. So a few more ideas to throw in here. You can go here and read it.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/11058226#11058226

I am unable to upgrade to Mavericks from Snow Leopard 10.6.8 on a MacBook (Model 4,1)(Late 2008). It show an error "OS X Maveriscks cannot be installed on this computer" What shall I do ?

It show an error "OS X Maveriscks cannot be installed on this computer" What shall I do ?

MacBook (13-inch Aluminum, Late 2008), (13-inch, Early 2009 or later)
From here > OS X Mavericks: System Requirements

Changed out the hard drive in my imac mid 2007 intel. Once the disc loads, I get "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer." Help! Be gentle. I am truly a novice. Thanks in advance.

I changed the hard drive in my mid 2007 Intel Imac. I'm trying to re-install the the op system. I'm receiving a message stating that "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer." I am a "newbe" to Mac's. Can someone help? Please be gentle. I raeally am a novice. Thanks in advance

I believe these are the wrong system restore discs for your model iMac, assuming your are correct that you have mid 2007 iMac.
These gray colored type restore discs are Mac-machine specific and are the wrong ones for your iMac.
They will not work.
The original OS X restore discs for your model iMac would either install OS X 10.4.11 Tiger or OS X 10.5 Leopard.
You have gray system restore discs for a later model iMac. These will not work with iMac year and model.
Sorry.
You need to purchase a full retail version of OS X 10.6.3 Snow Leopard here instead.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
These discs will work with your year and model iMac.
Assuming that your hard drive was installed properly, these white retail OS X install discs should be able to boot, format and install OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard to your 2007 iMac.
Good Luck!

How to reinstall Mac os x 10.5.6 to my imac desktop 24 inch all in one i put in disk and held c down and it came to a message saying os x cannot be installed on this computer HELP?

Ok here lately when i came into my office and go to cut on my imac desktop 24inch all in one it would come up to a white screen with a grey folder with a question mark blinking in the center of the screen well i just want to reload the machine but when i put my Mac os x install dvd that came with it into it you gets past the folder blinking to the screen where it has the Mac os x installer bar at the top but in the middle of the screen in says Mac os x cannot be installed on this computer and has two buttons one that says ok and the other that says restart how can i get this to stop giving me this error and get to where i can just reinstall the os PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand, while you may have knowledge with PCs you don't have the diagnostic tools available to you to professionaly diagnose a Mac. Apple does not make those tools available for the general public, they are only available to Apple and AASPs. To install the OS on the machine you need to locate the original 10.5.x install disc that shipped with the machine and insert it into the SuperDrive. Below are Apples instructions for setting up the machine:
Turn on the computer.
Insert the Mac OS X Install DVD into the optical drive, or insert the MacBook Air Software Reinstall Drive into the USB port.
Restart the computer.
Press and hold the "C" key while the computer starts up. The computer will start up using the Install media. Alternatively, press and hold the Option key at startup to select the volume containing the installer.
If your are using a wireless mouse, a mouse icon should appear asking you to turn the mouse on so that the computer can discover it.
Select a language, then press the right arrow key.
Click the Utilities menu, the choose Disk Utility.
Select a volume to erase (usually called Macintosh HD).
Click the Erase tab.
Click Erase... Important: This step will completely erase your hard drive. If you have installed Microsoft Windows using Boot Camp, or have multiple partitions, this procedure will erase the partition you select.
A dialog box appears asking if you want to erase the partition: click Erase.
After the partition is erased, choose Quit Disk Utility from the Disk Utility menu.
Part Two: Installing the operating system
When the Mac OS X Snow Leopard Installer screen appears, click Continue.
When the license agreement appears, click Agree.
Select the disk you erased. It should now be highlighted with a green arrow.
Click Install. A status bar appears on the bottom of the screen while Mac OS X installs.
An Additional Information screen appears, advising you that you operating system has been installed. Click Continue.
An Install Succeeded screen appears. Click Restart.
Part Three: Completing the Mac OS X Setup Assistant
When the restart has completed, a welcome video plays, then country/region selection screen appears.
Select your country or region and click Continue.
Select a keyboard layout and click Continue.
A migration screen appears. If you wish to migrate your data from another Macintosh, see Migration tips and tricks. If you do not wish to migrate, or want to migrate later, select "Do not transfer my information now" and click Continue.
A Wireless Service screen appears if you have wireless services available within range of your computer. Select "On" and click Continue.
If the network is password protected, you be asked for a password when you select it. Type the password and click Continue.
An Apple ID screen appears. This is used to purchase content from the iTunes store. When complete, click Continue.
If you do not have an Apple ID, click Continue to move to the next screen.
A Registration Information screen appears. You are not required to fill this out, but it is helpful if you do. When complete, click Continue and your product registration will be sent immediately.
If Mac OS X servers are available on your network, you'll be asked if you'd like to log on to them. If not, click Continue.
A Create Your Account screen appears. This will be used to create a User Account with Login ID and Password for you computer. You should remember this password. You'll be asked for it when you install new software or perform other administrative tasks on your computer. When complete, click Continue and your account will be created immediately.
A screen to select your user picture appears. Take a snapshot with the built-in camera or select a picture from your Library. When complete, click Continue.
A MobileMe screen appears. Select an option and click Continue.
A Thank You screen appears. Click Go to complete the Mac OS X Setup Assistant.
Eject the Mac OS X Install DVD by dragging its icon to the Trash.
Good luck.

"Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer." New Hard Drive.

I have just bought a new Seagate Hard Drive and I want to install Mac OS X 10.5 on it. My MacBook is from the days of Tiger, but I have since upgraded to Leopard using the upgrade discs that Apple gave out.
My next door neighbor has a brand new MacBook, so I borrowed her "Mac OS X Install Disc 1" which has a lovely copy of 10.5.2 on it. I put the drive into my computer and partitioned a Mac OS X Volume (Journaled).
THE PROBLEM:
When I then try to boot from the Install Disc 1 and install Leopard, the computer says "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer."
Need a solution. Thanks in advance.
PS - I would use my install discs but they are at home in another part of the country.

Well, Apple would probably point out that what you are trying to do violates the EULA.
Technically speaking, however, the issue is that the install/restore DVDs that ship with Macs do not carry all the drivers, or even all of the various versions of libraries that support all of the various models of Macs. The come-with-your-Mac disks are different than the retail versions of the OS (also, the come-with-your-Mac ones bundle iLife, which the retail ones don't).
Because the come-with-your-Mac disk contains only the drivers specific to that generation and model line of Mac, it contains a stub of code that verifies that your hardware matches the driver set on the install/restore DVD.
Your friend has a different model of Mac, with different hardware, so her install/restore disk won't work in yours. Solution: go get the retail boxed version of Leopard.

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

"This software cannot be instaled on this computer."

I am attempting to install tiger onto a Macbook Pro. These are the install disks that came with the mac, but it says that they cannot be installed on this computer. Any Ideas?
The disk says:
Mac Os version 10.4.10
AHT version 3A124
Disk version 1.2
2Z691-6088-A
Thanks

I seems to be a serious problem to install tiger on brand new allu imacs or macbooks pro. I spent two afternoons working with two different apple care experts without getting a satisfactory solution. They will let me know a solution soon!!!
The closest you can get is the following: 1) partition the HD of the allu imac using leopard tools, 2) start the allu imac using target modus, 3) connect an white intel based imac and allu imac with firewire cable, 4) start the white imac and install in the tiger partition os x tiger -at least 10.4.7; 5) restart the allu imac with the alt key and the tiger volume; 6) install imac software update 1.2.1 (tiger); 7) upgrade to 10..4.11.
That is the far you can go. The drawback is, you can use only airport in your network, the built-in ethernet interface cannot be configured. May be, this can help you in the meantime.

MAC OS 10.5.2 Cannot Be Installed on this Computer-Help!

My Hard Drive recently failed. I was able to use Disk Warrior to recover my files and I am now ready to re-install MAC OS X using the installation disc that came with my MacBook.
I inserted Install disc 1 and the Mac OS X Installer began. It asked for me to select a preferred language so I chose English. Immediately following that screen I received a dialog box that said "Mac OS X Cannot Be Installed on this Computer".
I used to Disc Utility in the MAC OS X Installer to verify that the new hard drive. It passed. I made sure that the hard drive was set for MAC OS Extended (Journaled). And after a little online searching I even learned how to partition the drive for GUID Partition Table to support an Intel - Base Processor system.
I have restarted the system several times from the MAC OS X Installer menu but I get the same message every time. "Mac OS X Cannot Be Installed on this Computer".
Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo 2 Ghz Processor, 2GB of Memory, New 250GB Hard Drive
Any ideas why I cannot perform this install?

I had this happen to me a few months ago. I went into the Apple store and the guy told me that he's seen this many times. Apparently the Leopard discs get tiny scratches (that are invisible to me) and won't do a fresh install, only an install over another OS. So it wouldn't work for me or you because we're trying to install Leopard onto a blank HDD. He ended up hooking up his version of the install disc via firewire external drive and it installed fine. I was not happy with this solution. Sorry to hear about this, hopefully you can figure it out, but you might just have to go to the Apple store like I did.

Leopard Mysteriously "Cannot be installed on this computer"

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