Reinstalling Snow Leopard from Mountain Lion

In another thread, I was getting help with cloning and told to purchase a new external drive to do so.  When I went to the Apple store today to purchase an external drive, he actually talked me out of it.  I told him my goal was that if I tried Mountain Lion and had problems, I wanted to be able to revert back to Snow Leopard.
He said that, since I have the Snow Leopard Install DVD, that if I didn't like Mountain Lion, I could restore my system by:
1.  In Mountain Lion, use the disc utility to erase the drive
2.  Do a fresh install of Snow Leopard back on to my system
3.  Re-attach the drive I use for Time Machine and install my files from that.
Does that sound correct as an easy way to restore my system from Mountain Lion to Snow Leopard?

Downgrade Lion/Mountain Lion to Snow Leopard
1.  Boot from your Snow Leopard 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. 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.
4. Quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard.
This will erase the whole drive so be sure to backup your files if you don't have a backup already. If you have performed a TM backup using Lion be aware that you cannot restore from that backup in Snow Leopard (see below.) I suggest you make a separate backup using Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.1.
If you have Snow Leopard Time Machine backups, do a full system restore per #14 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions.  If you have subsequent backups from Lion, you can restore newer items selectively, via the "Star Wars" display, per #15 there, but be careful; some Snow Leopard apps may not work with the Lion files.

Similar Messages

  • Reinstalling snow leopard after mountain lion

    I am selling my older imac.  I have wiped the drive and I want to reinstall Snow Leopard, the operating system it came with.  The machine was once upgraded to Mountain Lion.  I have the original Snow Leopard disc.  I can't seem to reinstall Snow Leopard.  Suggestons?

    Boot from install DVD for Mac
    Erase disk with Disk Utility
    Reinstall from DVD
    Allan

  • How do I revert to Snow Leopard from Mountain Lion? I do not have the setup disk that came with my MacBook but I do have the Snow Leopard software.

    I upgraded to Mountain Lion and very much regret this move.  I cannot use Parallels or Bootcamp for Windows XP which I need for some of my 'older' accessories.  How do I revert from Mountain Lion back to Snow Leopard?  I have the Snow Leopard software but I do not have the original setup software disk that came with the MacBook (leant to a friend and never seen again).

    If you do revert to Snow Leopard, be aware of this "feature" I used with my 2009 MacBook Pro:
    When it had the original OS (Leopard, I believe) I set up Bootcamp with Windows XP.  I also installed Parallels and use the Bootcamp partition for Windows XP within Parallels.
    I then upgraded to Snow Leopard and all was fine.
    I then upgraded to Lion and still my Bootcamp partition works for Windows XP and also for Parallels.
    I have not upgraded to Mountain Lion so I cannot speak to whether or not the Bootcamp paritition of Windows XP will continue to work.  If you do and it works, LET US KNOW!

  • Mail recovery in snow leopard from mountain lion

    hi,
    i've just reinstalled my old snow leopard onto my mabook pro (2010).
    but unfortunately my mail exports didn't include all my mails.
    so now i would like to transfer my mails from my mountain lion backup (which i have on a external hdd) onto my snow leopard mail.
    is that possible? i would like to skip the steps that i backup my snow leopard, recover my mountain lion from backup, copy the mails and reload my current snow leopard. i tried the migration service and directly copying the mail files ( the folder and the .plist file from the preferences, which had a unusual suffix attached to it so eventually it didn't work) but none of those steps worked out, maybe i did something wrong?
    any suggestions? would really appreciate it!

    Ok, i figured it out now. Here the solution:
    -close mail
    -allow finder to show hidden files -> google if you don't know how to do that.
    -open up your time machine hdd and select the latest( or the one you want to recover) date folder. with your privat folder in it
    -navigate to users/(your name)/library/mail and copy that folder onto your hard drive.
    -open up your current user library folder and navigate to the same "mail" folder.
    -from the importet folder "Mail", select the inboxes(they have your emailadress on it) you want to import. Navigate in that .mbox file to the subfolder "Messages", here you can see all your messages with the suffix .emlx, leave that finder window open
    -on your current mail folder there is a subfolder called "Mailboxes" create a .mbox file there (just add a new folder and rename it to (name it as you want).mbox)  
    -create a subfolder in that just created .mbox file named "Messages" now copy all messages you want to import into that folder from your already opened imported mail folder.
    after your done moving the files open your mail programm and click "import inbox" now just choose your created .mbox file, in which you copied all your mails and hit import. the mails will now be imported to Apple Mail.
    and your done.

  • How can I revert to Snow Leopard from Mountain Lion on a 2013 iMac?

    I have a brand new 27" 2.9Ghz iMac, bought a few days ago, equipped with Mountain Lion. I'm using it for recording, and at the time, my recording software and hardware are incompatible. On Snow Leopard, however, it all runs flawlessly. I know I can't simply revert to Snow Leopard, as there is some sort of firmware that blocks these types of downgrades. Can I partition the internal hardrive and install Snow Leopard and boot from that partition? I have no real use for Mt. Lion for the time being, so I wouldn't need to boot them both simultaneously or even go back and forth. I just want Snow Leopard...any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    You have different problems with a Late 2012 iMac and Snow Leopard:
    1. The firmware doesn't allow you to run it.
    2. Snow Leopard isn't compatible because it hasn't got the drivers for the hardware of the iMac. Furthermore, you can only run OS X 10.8.1, 10.8.2 or 10.8.3 on a Late 2012 iMac at the moment, because older versions haven't got the drivers it needs.
    3. It's illegal.
    As you can see, you can't run Snow Leopard natively. If this is a requirement, I suggest you to return your iMac and search a Mid 2011 iMac with Snow Leopard (there are some Mid 2011 iMacs that came with Snow Leopard, although most of them came with OS X Lion). If you don't find anything, buy a Mid 2010 iMac.
    Another possibility is to buy Snow Leopard Server and install it on a virtual machine, but I doubt it's legal

  • Reinstalling Snow Leopard after Mountain Lion! Firmware issue!!

    Greetings!
    I have a Mid 2011 iMac - which I wish too sell so I can get the new iMac when they are released.
    Originaly my iMac came with SL, which I have the factory reinstall dvd.
    Over time, I have upgraded the OS from SL to Lion, then ML. Which I purchessed via the App Store under my iTunes account.
    Now I wish to sell my iMac, I have tried doing a format and install of SL using my original SL disc. But when I try to install, I get the bleeping sound.
    I can format and  installed ML via wifi download, but naturaly that requires my appleID, so thats no go for selling my iMac to someone. 
    One thory is that I did an offical apple firmware update on my iMac, I can't remember which one, Bluetooth, Firewire, wifi, I don't really remember. But I think that is stopping me from installing SL again.
    Any help would be great.

    Thanks for the reply, I will try that tonight.
    I'm working on this thory I found on google....
    'Booting a new MacBook Pro (Late 2011) from a retail 10.6.3 disc resulted in a black screen and a repeating 3 beep pattern. This is due to missing Sandy Bridge drivers. Apple will ship a 10.6.6 (iMac) or 10.6.7 (MacBook Pro) installer disc'
    My OS was the 10.6.3 that came with my iMac. I phoned Apple, they wanted me to pay £18 for 10.6.6
    Hmmmmmm!

  • Upgrade from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion vs. date of computer

    Hello!
    Can somebody tell me if its save to update from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion if my computer(Macbook) was manufactured in October 2008. Apple recommends that you only do it if your Macbook is from ultimo 2008, but does that include the date before mentioned?
    Secondly, what would happen if I go ahead with the installation and my computer isnt fit to run it?
    Thanks in advance, any help would be much appreciated!

    Mountain Lion can be installed on these MacBook: Late 2008 Aluminum or Early 2009 or newer. You'll need a minimum of 2GB of memory, and 4GB or more is recommended. The late 2008 MacBooks came out in mid-October 2008. You can look at those specs here to ensure your system is this model or key in your serial number here.
    You should have a clone of your system before starting the conversion. If you don't like Mountain Lion, you'll be wiping your disk clean and reinstalling the clone. Most use SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner to copy the hard drive to another hard drive.
    OS X 10.7 Lion is still available from Apple if you would rather upgrade to it, although you don't need to if you are going directly to Mountain Lion. You call your in-country online Apple store, which in the US is at 800-MY-APPLE, and order Lion. They'll send you a download code to download from the App store.

  • Iphoto wont start after migration from snow leopard to mountain lion

    Hello everyone hope you can help me, I've migrate from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion and my IPhoto (8.1.2) won't start, I cant reinstall from app store because it came with the copy of Snow Leopard already instaled on my Imac...And I cant find the original Disc, so anyone can help ? felling desperate...

    You should be able to Software Update and that will bring your iPhoto up to date.
    iPhoto was 9.2.3 at 10.6.8, so I don't know why yours was stuck at 8.1.2
    However you can stick the #2 10.6 disk into your machine and should be able to run the bundled app installer.
    If that doesn't work there is Pacifist from CharlesSoft that you can extract iPhoto and replace your corrupted one, then run Software Update to bring it current.
    Once you have replaced iPhoto, rebuild the database
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT2638
    If your still having problems, perhaps a user account or drive permissions issue
    ..Step by Step to fix your Mac

  • Upgrade from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion erase my Windows partition?

    Dear all,
    I know some one might have asked it but I just wanna re-confirm.
    Would the upgrade from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion erase my Windows partition? I am currently using Bootcamp on my Macbook Pro (Late 2010 Version) and I do not have parallel desktop. I asked the same question when Lion was released, but HK Apple Store said YES and Melbourne Apple Store said no. I am a bit confused now.
    Thank you for answering. Cheers!

    Nothing.
    That said, you should ALWAYS have a backup as anything can happen at anytime.

  • Upgrading from snow leopard to mountain lion will i have trouble using my Pages and Iphoto since it's not the latest version

    I am contemplating upgrading my OS from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion.  Currently, I don't have ICloud available on my computer.  I also keep getting messages to upgrade my IPhoto to '11 version as well as Pages.  I know, I'm behind, but my theory is if it isn't broke don't mess with it.
    My concern is I don't want to lose my pictures and YES, I have backed up with Time Machine to an external hard drive.  (I just hope that's good enough).  IF I upgrade to start using ML OS, will I need to restore anything from my external hard drive or will I be able to start using computer as if nothing changed? 
    I know enough to be dangerous and I'm hesitant to upgrade for fear of losing everything.  Would appreciate help.  Thanks!

    Charmedgreen wrote:
    So it's alright to "skip" downloading the Lion version first?  I can go directly from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion? 
    Correct, in fact, Lion is no longer directly available from the App Store.
    Also, do I need to "empty my trash"  before going forward?
    No need.
    Matt

  • After upgrade my MBP from snow leopard to mountain lion all my smb connections stop to work.

    After upgrade my MBP from snow leopard to mountain lion all my smb connections stop to work.
    Now iám using mac os 10.8.2
    I can see the server, I can choose the drive, but when try to open a folder the message on Finder is: You don't have permissions to see the content.
    I already delete the key and try to connect again, but the problem persist. Already try change the ip from file server. Already try differents users. (admin, guest, etc...)
    I have a windows server 2008 and a NAS working with SMB protocol. Both with the same problem.
    That problem occurs only on Finder, if I try see the folder by Terminal, is possible to see my files.
    Any Solution ?
    Any Tip ?
    Any Question ?

    Not knowing how much RAM is installed in your iMac, your iMac can take a total of 8 GBs of RAM.
    Before upgrading to Mountain Lion, I would strongly suggest installing the maximum 8 GBs of RAM.
    Correct and reliable Mac RAM can be purchased from online Mac RAM sources Crucial memory or OWC (macsales.com).
    Here is OWC's link to your model iMac and the RAM modules you will need.macsales
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/
    You can purchase and download OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion from the Mac App Store in the OS X dock.
    Before installing, it would be prudent to make a backup copy of all of your important data or your entire current system. Either using, optical discs, USB flash drives or external hard drives.
    This is too insure protection of your data in case something goes wrong with the install of OS X Mountain Lion.
    Good Luck!

  • Search in finder doesn't find my files in OS 10.8, upgrade from snow Leopard to Mountain Lion

    after i upgraded from snow leopard to mountain lion . when i try too search files on finder . it does not find any of them although all the files are still there .so i need scroll up and down for few minutes to find my file manually . what could be the problem ?? anyone can help me with this .. thanks in advance

    Hmm... didn't help me. But, I'm glad to know that I can "refresh" the search profiles. That may come in handy in the future.
    I'm having similar problems where I can see a file from within an application, but the file doesn't show up in a Finder search. The file I see in the application also isn't visible in that application's folder (where it's supposed to be stored, in this case).
    The file exists, because I'm able to work on it from within the application. However, it can't be found on the computer by any means I have available. I've spoken with the manufacturer of the software and they told me where to look for the file, but it isn't there (as far as I can see). Of course, they suggest the Finder is "broken" and needs to be fixed. I don't think that's the case. I can easily find other files without difficulty.
    Could what I'm looking for be a "hidden" file?

  • Before upgrading my system from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion I had taken a backup of iPhoto in my external drive. But now when I try to open that package, I'm directed to app store to buy new iPhoto. How can I retrieve my photos without buying iPhoto?

    Before upgrading my system from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion I had taken a backup of iPhoto library in my external drive. But now when I try to open that package, I'm directed to app store to buy new iPhoto. Why would apple install iPhoto by default with Snow Leapord and make us import all our photos in it at the first place, and now ask for money if we want to retrieve our photos back on mountain lion? What if they make contacts a paid app with the next OS upgrade, and then bully us to pay money if we want our contacts? This is something very dissappointing on Apple's part. I need answers here.

    I fail to remember if the installer gave me an option to keep my applications.
    The Mountain Lion installer will not delete applications. It will only mark applications, that are not compatible with your current system with a "forbidden" sign in the icon. And you cannot launch them.
    Does your iPhoto icon in the Applications folder look like this?
    Then your iPhoto version is incompatible and cannot run with Mt. Lion. If it is iPhoto '11, with a versionnumber starting with 9.x.x., you can upgrade it by downloading a newer version from the Apple downloads site  http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1650.
    But if you have 8.x.x, you need to buy an upgrade.
    Regards
    Léonie

  • I have updated my mac from snow leopard to mountain lion 3 days back. I had some important data in my library folder and it got overwritten. Is there any way i can get the data back from my snow leopard library folder?

    I have updated my mac from snow leopard to mountain lion 3 days back. I had some important data in my library folder and it got overwritten. Is there any way i can get the data back from my snow leopard library folder?
    I tried mackeeper to recover files but it could not. Any other way any one has tried to recover a system library folder after OS upgrade?

    No, it doesn't store a clone. You would have needed to make one with either SuperDuper or CarbonCopy Cloner.
    If the files were in your ~/Library folder then they may still be there. As I said, you can access it by
    going to your Finder "Go" menu hold the option key to choose "Library". I wouldn't think an upgrade would overwrite anything in ~/Library.
    If you have a Time Machine backup you may also be able to use that to retrieve them.

  • Hi I've just upgraded from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion now Quarkxpress 6.5, Adobe creative suite CS2, Adobe Acrobat 7.0 professional and Microsoft Office 2004 will nolonger open. Can anyone please advise me what I can do to get these programs running.

    Hi I've just upgraded my MacBook Pro from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion. Now my installed programs:- Quarkxpress 6.5 - Adobe creative suite CS2 - Adobe Acrobat 7.0 professional and Microsoft Office 2004 will not open - I get a banner saying not supported by power mac. Can anyone please help me I really need these programs for my work. Thank you!

    hi tuggerose
    i think it is bad new for you. if it's any consilation i went through the same thing when i loaded mountain lion when it first came out. i think the problem is that mountain lion is a pure 64bit operating system and the software you have is 32bit. earlier os's were able to emulate 32bit but the new system does not. the answer is new software. i did it and it cost me a load of money and much angst so your not alone.

Maybe you are looking for