Leopard won't install without erasing hard drive

I cannot install Leopard on my 9 month old iMac without erasing the hard drive. My system meets all of the required specs. Is there any way around this?

mrc9878,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Try using the repair function of Disk Utility on either your Tiger or Leopard install disks, by using the procedure described in Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck.
The Repair Disk function link by Dr. Smoke will also elaborate on the procedure.
Reattempt to install after you use the Repair Disk function and let us know what happens.
;~)

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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.

OS 8 won't install On New Hard Drive

I bought a new 4GB hard drive from Betamacs.com for my 3400c Powerbook. When the full install version OS 8 disc was booted, I found that I could not install the OS 8. The following statement came up in the install window:
A valid destination volume can't be found. To continue process, mount a valid volume for software installation"
Can anyone tell me what to do next? Any help is appreciated!
Powerbook 3400c Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier 144 MB RAM

If the new hard disk shows up in the Finder, click on it and choose Erase Disk from the Special menu. If you are booted from an 8.1 or newer CD and are going to install 8.1 or newer, you should choose Mac OS Extended as the format. Otherwise, format it as a Mac disk. If you get a message that the disk is locked, open the Drive Setup application in the CD's Utilities folder and use the Functions menu to unlock the disk.
(9986)

Installing Win 7 on Boot Camp won't install to the hard drive

Hey, I'm installing Windows 7 64-BIT onto my Mac,
Steps I've taken, logged onto an administrator account, ran boot camp assistant, selected Hard Drive 2 (1TB, practically empty it is not my Mac OSX Boot Drive), selected "create second partition for windows", gave it 131GB clicked partition, I saw the BOOTCAMP hard drive show up on my desktop now.
I inserted the Win764BIT dvd I made, BootCamp prompted for it, I clicked OK...
It restarts, windows 7 setup loads, I get to the point where I selected the Boot Camp hard drive, and click Format, it finishes, I click Next, and it says:
Windows is unable to install to the selected location: error 0x80300024, the partition I am installing to is: Disk 1: Partition 3 (although there is, Disk 0, and 2 other unknown partitions of 128MB for Disk 0, and then Disk 1 Partition 3, and 2 other unknown partitions of 128MB for Disk 1.
EDIT: I did rename the ISO file I downloaded from: "7100.0.090421-1700x64fre_client_en-us_retail_ultimate-grc1culxfrer_endvd.iso" to "win764.iso".
Can anyone help me with this?
Kind Regards
Message was edited by: Steelbom

There should be a selection screen, and try #2. I think that is called EFI Boot. I can't, because of EFI32 1.1, and 64-bit Windows and Apple are looking for UEFI 2.x / EFI64.
I had Windows Vista, and installed Windows 7 to another hard drive partition with the DVD written to disk (8GB) on another partition. Install off hard drive was fast, and never even boot from DVD.
For people with trouble with the boot selection:
http://sergiomcfly.blogspot.com/2008/04/select-cd-rom-boot-type-when-installing. html
I tried to put together a 'journal/faq' of my own experience with 7100, which isn't perfect but has some tips and links.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1866970&tstart=0
About GPT -
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/GPT-on-x64.mspx
If you really get stuck on the boot selector, this may help:
http://jowie.com/blog/post/2008/02/24/Select-CD-ROM-Boot-Type-prompt-while-tryin g-to-boot-from-Vista-x64-DVD-burnt-from-iso-file.aspx
but you really shouldn't need that, your 2008 Mac Pro should do fine.

FCP Won't Startup Without External Hard Drive

I tried posting something about this earlier, but I don't think I titled or explained myself well.
I cannot get FCP to startup unless my external hard drive is running and mounted. This is happening on 2 different computer with different drives (1 is firewire 800, the other and eSATA minitower). With the drives off, FCP stalls on startup and I have to force quit it and sometimes 2 other identical applications titled the same: MultiMediaImporter.
After the drive is turned on the FCP opens to a new, untitled project and works normal. I can unmount the external drive and run FCP as normal as well.
I can't open any past project until that drive is up and running. I have some projects that contain no media on the external drives, and other projects that do. The only thing that is stored on these external drives is P2 media that I have imported into the FCP projects via XML.
I don't know what else to post, I'd add the problem report, but each computer seems to be stalling out at different points on boot up. However, those positions are strange, one being CoreGraphics the other on FamilyControls.
Oh, and I have tried deleting the prefs. No help at all.
I appreciate any ideas. Thanks

From the FCP menu bar: Final Cut Pro > System Settings > Scratch Disks.
What drives are set to be used as Scratch Disks? If those two externals are included in the list FCP will always look for them. As it will if the project file contains pointers to media that it expects to find on those disks, even if the media is no longer there.
You need to open each project, reconnect the media to the location where it actually is and save the project with that updated information.
Did I mention that it is not a good idea to keep FCP media on your system drive?

Hi, I have macbook Pro, running Leopard OS X. I partitioned my hard drive a while ago to install windows and only allowed myself 10 Gig of data. Anyway, i deleted windows and want another OSX on there instead. How do i make this partition bigger please??

Hi, I have macbook Pro, running Leopard OS X. I partitioned my hard drive a while ago to install windows and only allowed myself 10 Gig of data. I deleted windows after i realised i wasnt enjoying using it at all and wasted my hard drive. I now decided that i want another OSX on there instead yet i have only allowed myself 10 gb on the partition. I have ben thru some programms but am struggling on making this partition bigger.
I only want it at 20gb but cant seem to make the partition bigger, only smaller or split it into further partition.
Is there a way to do this, i have all installation discs from original OSX so think this could help.
Any help please would be fantastic.
Thanks Chris

Hi, dragging the partition will only make smaller, not larger. In disk utility you can only split or make smaller the partitions. Yes i booted from installation disks also but still no help.
And Brody, I am willing to erase the disc completely, infact jus started doing a backup in order to do so but that failed also. And the information you gave on partition a hard drive, Although very simple and i already know how to do this, but it wont let me make the partition bigger, and i dont want to make a new partition, just enlarge the one i already have, which i dont see possible from disk utility.
Getting really frustrated now, even backing up is saying no to me. **** external being a douche.
I dont mind erasing the hard drive but surely this must be doable without deleting the secondary partition back t a single volume, and re partitioning into 2 volumes again.
Thanks again

TS1600 I received a 2008 Imac with erased hard drive. I have the two discs to install OS X but when it tries to boot just comes up Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer. Is there anything I can do to get this running

I rceived a 2008 Imac with erased hard drive. They gave me the two install discs but it keeps coming up cannot install OS X on this computer.
Is there anything to do. Thanks hopefully

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.

I tried to install a new hard drive using Snow Leopard to back up with Time Machine. When I installed the new HD I installed Leopard (10.5) on it and tried to use time machine to restore the backup I had made using 10.6. Kernel panic screen occurred.

I backed up my system using 10.6 Snow Leopard's Time Machine to an external hard drive. I did this because I purchased a new internal hard drive to upgrade my 2007 White Macbook from 80GB to 320GB. When I installed the new hard drive, I installed 10.4 (Tiger) and then 10.5 (Leopard) and once Leopard was in I tried to use Time Machine to restore my backup from 10.6 (Snow Leopard) and received a kernal panic screen directly after the bootup.
The screen had code asking for 10.6, so does this mean that the computer is searching for Snow Leopard? If so, how can I do this? Will a bootable drive with Snow Leopard on it be able to solve the issue or will I somehow need to find a way to wipe out this new hard drive?
-Steve

Booting From Snow Leopard Installer Disc
1. Insert Snow Leopard 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.
Drive Preparation and Installation
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.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
7. After formatting is complete quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard.

I have a Mac Pro with four hard drives. I currently have Lion installed on one hard drive. I want to have the option to boot from either Lion or Snow Leopard. How can I do this?

I have a Mac Pro with four hard drives. I currently have Lion installed on one hard drive. I want to have the option to boot from either Lion or Snow Leopard. How can I do this?

It's best to install Snow Leopard on one of the three remain drives without an Operating System.
You can then install the applications you need from the original media. Create a User Account using Setup Assistant.
Do you want to migrate User Accounts from the OSX LIon boot drive, or are you keeping the User Accounts separate?
Dual-booting just requires holding the option key during startup and selecting either Lion or Snow Leopard.

How do I install OS software on a erased hard drive all I get is folder icon with blinking ?

Trying to install OS10.6 on erased hard drive but just getting folder with blinking ? symbol any ideas?

Startup with the Snow Leopard installation disk ALREADY IN THE DRIVE.
If it pops out, push it back in during startup. It will take a long time, but be patient.

After installing a new hard drive can I install snow leopard directly from snow leopard disc

After installing a new hard drive can I install snow leopard directly from snow leopard disc. Or do I have to install previous versions first. iMac 7.1 (2007) 2.8ghz

You can install directly, assuming the disk is newer than your computer and not designed for a different Mac, but doing so won't install iLife.
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How to install show panther disk on erased hard drive?
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)
Snow Leopard 10.6
https://www.apple.com/support/snowleopard/installation/

How to Install 10.7 Lion on New Erased hard drive?

I want to install 10.7 on a new, freshly-Erased hard drive.
My hardware supports 10.7.
Can anyone point me to simple instructions how to do this task?
Thank you.

2 ways to buy Lion. $29.99 as a d/l from the App Store (you need Snow Leopard installed). If you own another Mac with Snow Leopard, you can create an installer DVD/USB) or you can buy the Lion Install USB from Apple for $69.
When you boot from the installer, Select Disk Utility, then erase the disk. Then quit Disk Utility and install OSX Lion.
(See also: Installing Lion: Macworld's complete guide)

HT1338 my 5th generation ipod won't sync anymore to my PowerMac G4. It worked fine, but when I installed a new hard drive it won't work anymore.

my 5th generation ipod won't sync anymore to my PowerMac G4. It worked fine, but when I installed a new hard drive it won't work anymore. I've re-installed iTunes, the latest version for Tiger, I've reset and restored my iPod. The ipod shows up fine in the source banner and I can transfer files to it, however when I unplug the iPod the files are not there.

Maybe try to repair the iPod's HD using Disk Utility located in the Applications -> Utilities folder. If that doesn't help, try a low level reformat of the drive using the same application. Make sure you choose Mac OS X Extended (Journaled) as the file system format.
B-rock

Please could somebody help me I have an iMac which came with Tiger 10.4.10 installed I have lost my disks and I need to re-install after a hard drive failure. Where can I find this? I will upgrade to Snow Leopard after but I cannot go straight to SL

Please could somebody help me I have an iMac which came with Tiger 10.4.10 installed I have lost my disks and I need to re-install after a hard drive failure. Where can I find this? I will upgrade to Snow Leopard after but I cannot go straight to SL

You can go strait to SL, all you need is a retail SL DVD available from Apple for $20. The US online store has them at:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Leopard won't install without erasing hard drive

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