Reinstalling OS X on a mid 07 iMac, do i go back to original install disk or should i use Snow Leopard disk?

I have an mid 07 iMac, running on Mountain lion OS. It has been not working smoothly, constant freezing. I'm guessing its dying, however when I run a hardware test on DU is passes with no errors. I would like to wipe it clean and re-install my most recent OS, and my backed up harddrive. I have everything backed up on an external hd. I tried to do the recovery with Command R and it wouldn't do it. I think its something with my internet connection?? I tried to reinstall with the last OS install disk I have which is Snow Leopard. It wouldn't let me do that either. Do I have to go back to original install disk that came with it and start from scratch? I want to make sure I cover all bases before I invest another grand into one of these lovely machines:) any advice would be appreciated.

Good morning.
Just to repeat. Back up before doing anything; preferably to an external (portable) HD.
Luckily you seem to have the original dvd. Boot from that; you should then be able to select erase and install. That will erase everything on your HD and load the OS. It should bring you to 10.6.3. Once that is done you can then software update to 10.6.8. The Combo update is an option you can use instead of going through each process one at a time. For that you should download and apply ...
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

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Is it possible to use Snow Leopard on Mountain Lion iMac with Virtualbox ?

I've been lucky recently, with people giving the perfect solutions for me so I try again.
But, this one is a tough one: How to run a virtual Snow Leopard on a new iMac ?
I got a 2013 iMac with Mountain Lion (10.8.5 now) so, totally incompatible with Snow Leopard. I need SL anyway.
Give up all you old applications and buy new ones is not acceptable. First, this is not my way of thinking and, second, some cannot be replaced.
Many posts say that you can use Snow Leopard with VirtualBox but I could not find anywhere the "how to" (in this particular configuration).
For instance, I followed these 2 protocols, almost similar:
http://www.maketecheasier.com/install-mac-os-x-snow-leopard-in-virtualbox-on-win dows/
http://www.macbreaker.com/2012/02/snow-leopard-virtualbox.html
but they use Windows as host system and something is not working (for me) with Mountain Lion.
I made many attempts, with VirtualBox 4.2.18, using pretty much everything: Snow Leopard DVD, SL Server DVD, .dmg of both. I've also got Combo 10.6.8 updates for both (but I'm not sure if it can be used before installing). With another MacBook, I managed to install a SLS on external hard drive and update to 10.6.8. Was unable to use it anyway.
Inevitably, I ended up with the message:
"FATAL: No bootable medium found! System halted."
I have no idea of what support to use and even, probably important, if it should be set on Primary or Secondary Master ? (in Settings / Storage)
Is it possible at all ???
Would it work better with VMware Fusion ? Anybody successful ?
Help
Thanx

How to install and run OS 10.6 Snow Leopard on a virtual machine on top of OS 10.7 Lion:
http://osxdaily.com/2011/11/17/install-run-mac-os-x-10-6-snow-leopard-in-virtual -machine-on-lion/
From kappy:
Clean Install of Snow Leopard
     1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc. Insert the disc into the
         optical drive and restart the computer. After the chime press and hold down the
         "C" key. Release the key when you see a small spinning gear appear below the
         dark gray Apple logo.
     2. 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, set the format type to Mac
         OS Extended (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Partition button.
     3. 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.
     4. When the installation has completed your computer will require a restart 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.
First you will have to prep your new SSD:
Drive Partition and Format
1. Boot from your OS X 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.
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.

My Imac is ejecting every disk inserted in it, I cannot access the disks, can any body help me troubleshoot the problem. I am using snow leopard.

My Imac is ejecting every disk inserted in it, I cannot access the disks, can any body help me troubleshoot the problem. I am using snow leopard.

Try resetting the SMC Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support
and PRAM How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support
If those don't help you can try a cleaning disc or a quick shot of compressed air. Chances are that your drive has failed, join the club it's not all that uncommon. You can either have it replaced or purchase an inexpensive external drive. Don't buy the cute little Apple USB Superdrive, it won't work on macs with internal drives working or not.

Imac not booting, Able to get to disk ulility with snow leopard disk. Tap on had disk, not given choice to do anything. Information list that smart is certified and partition map is us formatted. How do I get mac to start up again?

Imac not starting up, keep getting white screen. Using snow leopard. Able to get to disk utilities with snow leopard installation disk. Tap on had disk, not given choice to certified disk or anything else. Information on disk states that smart status is certified. Partition map I formatted. Also tried to restore from back up, but get error: not enough disk space. Tried to erase disk, but unable. What do I do next to get mac to start up?

Thank you. That's what I thought will need to happen.
One more question. I tried using the Apple install disk that came with the computer. It's an OS 10.5.6 disk. It does not see my 10.6.8 system internal hard drive to repair. All it see's is itself 10.5.6 disk. Do you think I can use a 10.8+ disk utillity since that is a higher system it will see the 10.6.8. Where the 10.5.6 does not?
I don't want to turn the computer off for fear I'll get the question mark again. P-Ram got me going last time but for how long I don't know? It would be nice to be able to turn the computer off for the night and startup as usual to give it a rest and try to reset itself.
Thanks for your help, I know I will eventually need to re-install. But I am in the middle of a project with tight deadlines and all I can do right now is back-up. Trying to migrate to another computer temporarily to finish the job. That's a lot of extra work in the short time also.
Just trying to put a band-aid on it for another couple weeks.

Hi! I am using Snow Leopard 10.6.8, iTunes 10.6.3 on my Intel i3 iMac and should I purchase the latest iPad, would I be able to set up, synch and use it without iCloud? Regards Neil

Hi! I am using Snow Leopard 10.6.8, iTunes 10.6.3 on my Intel i3 iMac and should I purchase the latest iPad, would I be able to set up, synch and use it without iCloud? Also, would iWork files be interchangeable between the two bevices? And...could information from the Mac be transferred into iBooksAuthor? Regards Neil

You may need to update iTunes to iTunes 11 but you can do that running Snow Leopard 10.6.8. I would recommend running iTunes 11 anyway. It is a bit different in the user interface, but it works the same that it did in 10.6.3.
You can transfer iWorks files back and forth without iCloud but you will need to use file sharing with iTunes. However, you will have to purchase the iPad versions of those apps becuse the Mac versions will not work on the iPad if you were thinking about using the Mac apps.
You can read about file sharing here
iWork for iOS: About iTunes File Sharing
Sorry, but I know nothing about iBooks Author.

TS1702 Please can't make FaceTime for free for all iMac it's mean Apple can't make face time for free for snow leopard ?

Please can't make FaceTime for free for all iMac it's mean Apple can't make face time for free for snow leopard ?

did Yamaha/Apogee ever work out the problem that you couldn't use mLAN drivers for the XS (it's not really mLAN, it's "based on" right?) and Apogee drivers at the same time?
I think Yamaha has updated their drivers twice since you and I last exchanged ideas on this.
You've got killer hardware, and while I'm sure it's possible to set up an XS to send MTC and for Logic 8 to deal with correctly, it's just backwards of the way I use (almost) the same tools. My experience is the same, control Logic from the Motif, only it's so much more than just stop/start, and locate. Your XS is made to be a remote controller for Logic, sliders, transport controls, even the info for tracks and plug-ins (in Logic!) show up on your XS display and you can do plenty without touching the keyboard or mouse... Besides the sound of the Motifs, they're just great at doing this kind of stuff too... I personally wouldn't consider anything else...
I don't want to send you down a path that won't work if the two vendors in question haven't solved this yet, but... I want to help you but deep inside I think you're approaching your top-of-the-line gear backwards...
of course, if this is still a vendor incompatibility thing... then you have no choice.
pages 839 (the graphic is on page 838) of the Logic user manual under "listen to MMC input" describes what you need to set in Logic 8 to make this work. Since I don't have an XS, I can't point you to the correct pages for that.
I really hope you can get this to work.
Michael

If I use iCloud on my iPad, will it change my MobileMe functions like iWeb on my iMac? My iMac uses Snow Leopard.

If I use iCloud on my iPad, will it change my MobileMe functions on my iMac which uses Snow Leopard. In other words will it disable functions like iWeb on my iMac?

As a follow-up . . . I downloaded and installed Virtual Box, purchased a legal issue of Windows XP (not easy since Microsoft doesn't sell it anymore), installed it, installed Quicken 2009 in "the Box" and then the problems began. Trying to migrate my Quicken data files from my laptop PC to the Virtual Box Quicken program turned out to be the most frustrating thing I've been through for quite awhile. Error after error without any explanation of what I was doing wrong (or not doing) kept me scratching my head and re-reading the VB manual for nearly two days. Today I finally had success and all three of my Quicken accounts are comfortably residing in my iMac and working perfectly (so far . . . knock, knock).
It was well worth the effort because now all I need to do is open VB (about 3 seconds), click open Windows (about 5 seconds) and open Quicken ( <5 more seconds) and I'm ready to go to work.
Thanks for the advice typod360 . . . it's much apprecoiated.

Mid 2010 Macbook Pro (7,1) - Downgrading from Mountain Lion (10.8.3) to Snow Leopard

Hi everyone!
I am looking for some help with downgrading my macbook pro from ML back down to SL. I'll start off with some information about my case:
I bought this computer mid 2010 - I believe in July, if that matters. It is a Macbook Pro 7,1 model. The computer came with two disks, one being the Snow Leopard 10.6.3 install dvd, and the other being the applications install dvd. I do still have these dvd's, sitting beside me as I type this. Just like many others, I upgraded my computer to Lion, and from there went to Mountain Lion. I have been on Mountain Lion for several months now, currently running 10.8.3. I know a lot of you out there are disappointed with this OS, and many have experienced significant adverse effects on the overall performance of their computer. That being said, I also know that a lot of you have not had these sorts of issues running the OS. As you can tell, I mysef fall into the first category, as I have not had the greatest experience with it. It just seems to tire out my computer at activity levels which, on Snow Leopard, would not be problematic. I say tire out here in that my computer will overheat, slow down, and even sometimes crash (the crashes primarily begin with the spinning rainbow wheel, attempts to quit / force quit the applications I am running, followed by complete and utter frozenness). When this happens, I have no choice but to press the power button until the computer shuts off, then I restart, occasioanlly taking multiple attempts because of kernel panics the first one or two times. Who knows why this happens...I upgraded my RAM a couple months ago from 4GB to 8GB, which has seemed to help some but not fix the problem entirely. So, I have been wanting to downgrade back to Snow Leopard.
Ok so, I have made multiple attempts at this. For starters, I can tell you that the computer simply will not boot from the Install DVD (it is the one which came with the computer, not a retail version or anything like that). Additionaly, I cannot restore the SL DMG file from the dvd, neither to my hard drive nor to a USB drive. Because of this, I ended up trying this: I downloaded the snow leopard installation files (I believe just the content of the DVD ripped from the disc) via a torrent. I then got a 16 GB USB flash drive, wiped and formatted it (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)), and copied to the USB drive the install file I downloaded. I'll also note that I have done the same thing for Mountain Lion, copying the install file from the app store to a separate 16 GB USB drive. Ok, onto the results of my attempts at downgrading:
Each time I have tried to downgrade, I have taken the following step:
1) Power down the computer
2) Insert Snow Leopard USB drive
3) Boot up the computer, holding the option/alt key
4) Selecting the Snow Leopard USB drive
     -It would successfully boot from the USB, and would bring me to the language selection window, as expected
5) After selecting English, the window gives me the option to continue with the install, or access any utilities, and I would go to Disk Utility
6) I selected the internal drive in Disk Utility (the whole drive, not the indented partition), and I went to the partition tab, partitioning the drive to have 1 partition, Mac OS Extended (Journaled), erasing the current partition
     **Note: I have not tried this, but I feel like maybe If I were to first Erase the drive, opting to zero out all data (1 pass) in the security options, then partition the drive the same way as I did in step 6, perhaps the installation would go smoothly without returning any errors...thoughts?
7) After step 6, I would return to the install os x window and begin installation of snow leopard.
     -Every time I have done this, the install has returned an error about mid-way through, and I would be prompted to restart and try installing again
8) Now having a non-booting computer, I would end up powering down, swapping out the snow leopard usb with my mountain lion usb, booting from that, partitioning the drive the same way as before, and reinstalling mountain lion
     -This beings me back to square 1. A working, booting computer on Mountain Lion...
I believe that my issues surrounding the use of my install dvd (that came with the computer) are caused by a bad optical drive. When in mountain lion, if I insert the dvd, it will read it, but it will do so very slowly. For example, after inserting the dvd and the install os x window coming up, if I select optional installs or instructions, each of these folders would open, but take a very long time to display their contents. It also is a struggle to get the disc to eject in this situation.
So, if anyone has had a similar situation and came out on top, I would truly appreciate your help!
Thanks guys,
Nick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaDMbmsRqkQ

I cannot connect to my iMac or my Mackbook from my Windows 7 PC after installing Lion. Worked fine with Snow Leopard

I have a 2009 iMac and a mid 2007 Macbook. I also have an HTPC running Windows 7. I can connect fine to the HTPC from either the iMac or the Macbook, however, I am completely unable to connect to my Macbook or iMac from my PC. This was never a problem prior to upgrading to Lion from Snow Leopard. Please be advised that I know how to set my network up and have tried everything possible. I upgraded my iMac to Lion first and noticed the problem. After checking my settings I was stumped. I noticed that my PC could still connect to my Macbook running Snow Leopard. I then, today, installed Lion on my Macbook and replicated the problem I was experiencing on my iMac. Any suggestions?

The same happens to me!!! Any help out there?

Did Mid 2010 MacBook originally ship with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or OS X 10.7 Lion?

I recently bought a Mid 2010 MacBook from eBay that has Lion on it. I'm trying to do a reinstall of Mac OS in order to remove an account that came on it but the restore process says that I'm not the "owner" when I type in my Apple ID.
I don't have the original restore discs. I called Apple about this and they said that I could buy the retail version of Snow Leopard or buy Lion "again" in the app store but with my Apple ID.
I would think that if this computer originally shipped with Lion that I shouldn't have to buy it again, which suggests that maybe it really shipped with Snow Leopard. However, in user manual on support.apple.com for this model it talks about Lion.
I'm going to call Apple back about this but shouldn't they know based on my serial number which OS shipped with the computer?
Thanks!
David

Thanks. So as a followup, is the restore disc(s) for the MacBook essentially the same as the retail Snow Leopard disc, or should I request the actual disc that came with the computer?
I have no problems buying Lion again, but I'm really after the original restore disc in the event that I want to sell this computer and not leave the buyer in the same boat I'm in now.
David

Downgrade using Snow Leopard install DVD does not work on iMac 27"

I have an iMac 27" (SMC version 1.54f36) that I wish to downgrade. I bought a 5-user Snow Leopard license. Now I'm trying to re-install from the DVD, but the computer won't boot on the DVD.
If I run the installer from the desktop, the installation starts, but when the computer reboots, it gets stuck. No alterations is done on the system disk, so I can hold down the Alt key and choose to boot from the system disk and I'm still on 10.6.5. For the moment I cannot find the discs supplied with the iMac, but surely the SL install DVD should work?? I've used it once before to do a clean SL install (I believe the iMac I have came with Leopard).
The version on the SL install DVD is 10.6 (2Z691-6558-A)
The reason for downgrading is that my Pro Apps (DVDSP and FCP) got a bit shaky when I updated to 10.6.5.

If you have a 27" iMac, it had to ship with Snow Leopard installed. See Mac OS X versions (builds) included with Intel-based Macs to confirm this, & Don't install a version of Mac OS X earlier than what came with your Mac for why you should not try to downgrade to an earlier version.
If the version on your SL install DVD is 10.6, then it is an early version & will not work with your iMac. The current retail product version installs 10.6.4 & should work if your iMac is the "Late 2009" model. It probably will not work if your iMac is the "Mid 2010" model.
You need your grey system discs. They should be kept accessible wherever you use your iMac. If you have lost them, contact Apple about getting a replacement set.

I want to update my iMac to OS X 10.7 from 10.6.8 - don't know if using Snow Leopard, how do I find out?

I want to update my iMac to OS x 10.7 from 10.6.8 and I don't know if Snow Leopard is installed on my iMac. I don't know how to look in the hard drive to find out. How am I notified when anyone posts an advice?

Once you purchase and download Lion you may want to do the following before installing:
Make Your Own Lion Installer
1. After downloading Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Lion application. After Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button. Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Lion installer. Move the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes installing Lion.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
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.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
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.
Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
3. Locate the saved Lion installer in your Downloads folder. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on the installer and select Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Double-click on the Contents folder to open it. Double-click on the SharedSupport folder. In this folder you will see a disc image named InstallESD.dmg.
4. Plug in your freshly prepared USB flash drive. You are going to clone the InstallESD.dmg disc image to the flash drive as follows:
Open Disk Utility.
Select the USB flash drive from the left side list.
Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
Check the box labeled Erase destination.
Select the USB flash drive volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
Drag the InstallESD.dmg disc image file into the Source entry field.
Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
When the clone is completed you have a fully bootable Lion installer that you can use without having to re-download Lion.

Hi everyone,I am new to this so please forgive me any mistakes I may make.Early 2008 Mac Pro desktop installed ML ok but next day nothing, reinstall ok restart same problem ML installer remains on my snow leopard disk. Any help appreciated.Kind regards

There I go first mistake straight off. I was wondering how to fit my big long problem in. My fault I am sure but if anyone can help please.
Early 2008 Mac Pro Desk Top, 2 hard drives 1)snow leopard, 2)lion.
I have downloaded Mountain Lion usuing disk 1,selected no.2 as my destination, installed ok everything fine, set my startup as no.2 in preferences, switch off. Next day start up - nothing, my only way to get moving was physcally remove disk 2, and let snow leopard restart.
Reinstalled, everything fine, then same problem on restart next day, remove disk,and so on.
The mountain Lion installer remains in the snow leopard dock.
I know the problem is me, so if anyone is kind enough to be able to offer a solution it needs to be in easy speak (press button a, press button b) because I am not that savvy.
my best regards to all, and thank you.

Where did you get Mountain Lion? Did you download the 4+ GB file from the App Store? If so, then I would try doing the following:
Drive Partition and Format
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your second drive on which Lion is installed (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.
Install Mountain Lion
Double-click on the Mountain Lion Installer application in your Applications folder. Follow instructions to install Mountain Lion on your old Lion drive - Drive 2. When the installer finally finishes it will restart the computer automatically from Drive 2. At this point there is no need to change the Startup Disk unless you want to boot from your Snow Leopard drive.
You will startup to the Setup Assistant in which you will configure your own admin account. You can, if you want, omit that part and instead choose to migrate your Home folder and other data from the Snow Leopard drive. I would recommend you do that unless you wish to do it manually at a later time. In this case create your new admin account using the exact same username and password that you now use on your Snow Leopard system.

Trying to reinstall Canon MX882 printer, I get the message /System/Library/Extensions/AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext installed improperly and cannot be used.Try reinstalling or contact vendor for update. Where is this and what do I do/

Trying to reinstall MX882 Canon printer after upgrading to OSX Mavericks. Printer will not print and I get a message "The system extension "/System/Library/
Extensions/AppleUSBEthernetHost.kext" was installed improperly and cannot be used. Try reinstalling it, or contact vendor for update."
What do I do and where is this extension?

beverly216 wrote:
What do I do and where is this extension?
I would recommend you download and install the OS X 10.9.5 Combo Update.
That file is part of the operating system and it is located where the error shows, i.e. HD > System > Library > Extensions. It would seem that when you updated, this file and maybe others have not updated correctly. So running the Combo Update may help resolve this.

Imac problems using Snow Leopard 10.6.1

I have been running my Imac perfectly with no problems at all on 10.5 but having recently installed 10.6.1 it has started playing up.
On startup it sometimes freezes with no key or mouse movement at all which needs a rear button restart to cure it and if the Mac goes into sleep mode it will not be woken by space bar, mouse click or anything but a rear button restart.
Does anyone have the same problem or know of a cure?

I feel your pain, snow leopard is a disaster for many people. Even with a fresh install there are still issues. its best to go back to leopard until apple finally puts out fixes that many are waiting for for 2 months. back up your files and re install 10.5, apple can't be trusted the way they used to.

Reinstalling OS X on a mid 07 iMac, do i go back to original install disk or should i use Snow Leopard disk?

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