Macbook Pro - Lion - Snow Leopard - help please!

Hi there.
I've just bought a second-hand Macbook Pro through ebay which has come with Lion pre-installed. I keep being prompted to do a software update but can't do this as (my understanding is) the Lion software belongs to the previous owner and not the computer itself. The apple ID associated with lion is not mine, and I do not know the previous owners password.
I would like to do a clean install anyway to make sure I erase all the previous owners data and assumed I could do this by inserting my RETAIL copy of snow leopard (which I used to upgrade my original Macbook) into the new macbook pro, pressing C on start-up and then doing erase and install. This would then allow me to upgrade my Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion via the app store and everything would properly assign over to me, I would legitimately own the software etc etc and all would be fine.
However, the Macbook seems to not like the Snow Leopard disc and on some further investigation it seems I can't 'downgrade' the software (even though I want to put it straight back up again). So my question is, what do I do now?! I'm assuming there is a way around this and someone helpful and clever will know what to do :-)
Thanks in advance :-)

As the MacBook Pro you have bought came with OS X Lion, you can't install any older operating system because its hardware is not supported. That's the reason why you can't install Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
What you have to do is to contact with Apple in order to deauthorize the Mac and all its software (OS X, iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand) from the old owner's Apple ID > http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57 First try to do it, and if Apple tells you that the old owner has to do it, contact with him/her.
Near all people who sell their old Mac with OS X Lion or Mountain Lion preinstalled do the same error, and it's serious: if the hard drive gets damaged, for example, you won't be able to reinstall OS X, so you can't do anything

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I have a MacBook Pro with Snow leopard (10.6.8). Downloaded Lion from Aplle store and got a bill but no upgrade. Bad hearing can't use telephone to support. Apple store can't help. CASE NUMBER: 19*****63.
I am hard or hearing and can't use the telepohne support and live on an island and can't get to a shot to buy the Lion.
<Case Number Edited by Host>

Try d/ling again. In the App Store, option-click the tab

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Try resetting your SMC and NVRAM before attempting to install again.
Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM
Note: This will not delete any data.
The NVRAM/PRAM stores information such as speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and recent kernel panic information (if any). You should reset the NVRAM/PRAM if you experience issues relating to these functions.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Turn on the computer by pressing the Power Button.
On the built-in keyboard, press and hold the Command (⌘), Option (⌥), P, and R keys before the gray screen appears.
Continue to hold down the keys until the computer restarts and you hear the startup chime for the second time.
Release the keys on the built-in keyboard.
Resetting the SMC of an Intel-based portable Mac with a battery you should not remove on your own
Note: This will not delete any data.
The SMC is responsible for controlling various system functions. None of your data will be deleted by resetting the SMC.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter into a power source and then connect it to your Mac if you have not already done so.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift (⇧), Control (⌃), and Option (⌥) keys and the Power Button at the same time.
Release the (left side) Shift (⇧), Control (⌃), and Option (⌥) keys and the Power Button at the same time.
I hope I helped.
Austin

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Once you are running off of the DVD you will be able to do a clean install of SL
To boot off the DVD with the system up running Lion insert the DVD. Open Sytem Preferences->Startup Disk and select the DVD then restart the machine.
Message was edited by: Frank Caggiano

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rayvonr wrote:
...I have 18 yrs. worth of financial records on Quicken that I have read will not work with Lion and I've read bad things about running music programs on Maverick.
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http://quicken.intuit.com/personal-finance-software/quicken-2007-osx-lion.jsp
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I want to update my 2.2 15" macbook pro to Snow leopard, and then to lion, but I am a little aprehensive because of some postings I have seen about the upgrade causing macbook pro's to overheat. Is there any truth to this?
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Below are the specs for Snow Leopard:
*General requirements*
Mac computer with an Intel processor
1GB of memory
5GB of free disk space
DVD drive for installation
Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; fees may apply.
Some features require Apple’s MobileMe service; fees and terms apply.

Macbook Pro - Lion - Snow Leopard - help please!

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