Trying to install Snow Leopard, can't b/c time machine using hard drive

I am trying to install Snow Leopard so I can then upgrade to Lion on my MacBook Pro.  (It's now running an older version of OS X.  I went through this whole process successfully on my desktop.)
Snow Leopard is saying it can't install on my hard drive b/c Time Machine is using that drive for backups.
I tried turning off Time Machine but that doesn't seem to make a difference.
I don't have any available external drive at home-- is there a way to disable or change settings or uninstall Time Machine so that Snow Leopard will be able to install?  Is the best way to get an external drive and specify that as the Time Machine backup drive?  I'd rather just get rid of Time Machine on this computer for now, but I've read on here in other discussions that deleting it can cause other problems.
Thanks for any advice!

The Apple store may use or have these...
You must repair the HD, your best bet is likely DiskWarrior.
Your best bet is DiskWarrior, you need the CD/DVD though.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/
But others that may work…
Drive Genius…
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/drive_genius.php
TechTool Pro…
http://www.micromat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=83
Good luck!

Similar Messages

  • Mountain lion will not install because time machine uses hard drive for back up.  What should I do?

    I have downloaded Mountain Lion but it will not allow me to install because the time machine uses the hard drive to back up.  How do I solve this problem?

    Unless you are trying to install on an external hard drive that actually has been used for Time Machine backups, this is usually caused by having a folder named "Backups.backupd" on your hard drive somewhere. It may be at the root level of the hard drive, but may also be elsewhere. Try searching for it, and then delete it. (You shouldn't need it.)

  • Can I install Snow Leopard on my Macbook with a Windows-formatted Hard Drive?

    Well my macbook's screen broke and I need to wipe the data off my hard drive. I popped my hd out and deleted the partition using my PC. Formatted it with NTFS and proceeded to secure wipe it by using One Pass Zero technique. If i got my macbook screen on it, will I be able to freshly install a Snow Leopard on the hard drive?

    Hi,
    If your NTFS volume was formatted under a GUID partition, this drive should be selected as a valid destination during a Snow Leopard Install from the DVD.
    Cheers

  • Going back to leopard from snow leopard Can I restore from Time machine

    My Imac continues to lock up about three times a day since I went to Snow Leopard.
    I want to go back to Leopard where I did not have these problems.
    Can I reformat and do a clean install and then restore everything from time machine even though the back up is from Snow Leopard?

    You can restore the system to any previous dated state shown in your Time Machine backups. However, this will not preserve anything you created after that date. You can also restore individual files & folders from later backups but you may or may not be able to use files you created using Snow Leopard while running Leopard, depending on the parent application & if it was updated to use a new file format with Snow Leopard.
    It is generally much better to resolve the issues you have with Snow Leopard & continue using it than to try to do this. Most issues are fairly easy to resolve. If you want help with that, let us know.

  • Clean install Snow Leopard and transfer files from Time Machine?

    Hello,
    I have a computer that is getting s fresh clean install of Snow Leopard. I know how to go about doing this. However, I want to be able to transfer the files back using Time Machine. The Time Capsule has backups from 3 computers. How do I select the right computer files from the backup? The Mac Pro also has a second hard drive intsalled. Is it best to wipe it clean and then load the data from the Time Machine?
    Thanks!

    If you have a second HD with nothing on it, why not do the fresh install on that, then use Setup Assistant to bring over all the files from the HD you've been backing up to TM rather than  TM itself? That way, you have the most direct transfer and a backup of the original too.

  • HT3910 can i just install snow leopard  over 10.5.8 without erasing my hard drive?

    can I?

    Yes.
    But make a very good backup first in case things do go bad (they can, even if it is rare).

  • Im trying to install snow leopard but when I go to the utility disk I can't find the Macintosh HD

    Im trying to install snow leopard but when I go to the utility disk I can't find the Macintosh HD

    I'm trying to reinstall it because about six months ago a friend at the time crashed it and it has been stuck in white screen of death since then. and I'm trying to get my computer to work again.

  • Error message when trying to install snow leopard

    Hello,
    I just tried to install snow leopard version 10.6 and get an error message mid installation that kicks the cd out of the drive and stalls. I can't complete the installation. I have a macbook pro 1,1 with 1.83 ghz processor with 1gb of ram and 25 gb of harddrive space left. i currently have version 10.4.11. any ideas about why this is happening or how to trouble shoot?

    See the following:
    How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
    A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
    Boot from your current OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally. 
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
    Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
    Select the destination volume from the left side list.
    Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
    Check the box labeled Erase destination.
    Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
    Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
    Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
    Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal startup drive.
    C. Important: Please read before installing:
    If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it. Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've restarted.
    You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
    The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below) from Apple Downloads to update.  While the installation is in progress do not use the computer.
    D. To upgrade:
    Purchase the Snow Leopard Retail DVD.
    Boot From The OS X Installer Disc:
    Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
    Restart the computer.
    Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
    Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
    Wait for installer to finish loading.
    E. If updating:
    Download and install update(s) 
    Use Software Update, or
    Download standalone updater(s).
    I suggest you backup your Tiger system, then boot from the Snow Leopard DVD, use Disk Utility to erase your hard drive, then install Snow Leopard. You can then selectively restore your files from your backup. To make this process easy be sure to create your new Snow Leopard user account with the same username that you have for your Tiger account. Any third-party software that you have you should reinstall rather than trying to copy from the Tiger backup.

  • Im trying to instal snow leopard on my macbook. its running tiger 10.4.11 and it meets all the requirements  but it ask me for a restart to begin instalation progres, i restar it and it doesn't happen anything

    im trying to instal snow leopard on my macbook. its running tiger 10.4.11 and it meets all the requirements  but it ask me for a restart to begin instalation progres, i restar it and it doesn't happen anything. anyone can help me?

    I assume the restart was prompted during the installation process?
    First of all, that restart will take several minutes while files are moved into place and should not be interrupted.
    If it fails, or you have interrupted the process, you'll need to boot from the installer (hold down the C key on startup) and use Disk Utility to erase the drive prior to continuing the installation.
    That will wipe all data on the drive, though, so if you didn't make a backup before beginning the upgrade, you'll need to get your data off safely before proceeding. That may likely require the use of another Mac to access yours in Target Disc Mode.

  • Hi I am trying to install snow leopard, Hi I am trying to install snow leopard onto my iMac g5 currently, Hi I am trying to install snow leopard onto my iMac g5 currently running 10.3.9. I open disk ,click install- nothing happens. Any ideas? Thanks Dan

    Hi I am trying to install snow leopard onto my iMac g5 currently running 10.3.9. I open disk ,click install- nothing happens. Any ideas? Thanks Dan

    Snow Leopard requires an Intel-based Mac, so as Niel indicated your iMac G5 cannot run it. The last version of Mac OS X your iMac G5 can run is Mac OS X 10.5.8.
    Regards.

  • How can I install Snow Leopard on my 15" MacBook Pro without using its DVD drive?

    How can I install Snow Leopard on my 15" MacBook Pro without using its DVD drive?

    I'm assuming your dvd drive is broken? if you have a thumb drive large enough (8GB or better), you can use another computer to make a bootable image from the install dvd to the thumb drive. then you can install from the the thumb drive.
    Ihttp://www.maciverse.com/install-os-x-snow-leopard-from-usb-flash-drive.html
    that's a step by step walkthrough.

  • I have OS X 10.5.8 on my iMac, I'm trying to install Snow Leopard. When I insert the disk and click install it will start to install, then once it gets about 1/4 of the way done my computer restarts and it spits the disk back out.

    I have OS X 10.5.8 on my iMac, I'm trying to install Snow Leopard. When I insert the disk and click install it starts, but when its about 1/4 of the way done the computer restarts and my disk spits back out. When I look to see if it installed it still says 10.5.8. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

      Model Name: iMac
      Model Identifier: iMac6.1
      Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
    I bought the Mac OS X Snow Leopard Install DVD from the Apple Store.

  • I have paid and downloaded LION and want to update my IMAC, can i just run install and it keep photos settings etc from Snow Leopard or is a full reinstall with wiped hard drive, anyone have any experience of this and do i need to run a backup beforehand?

    I have paid and downloaded LION and want to update my IMAC, can i just run install and it keep photos settings etc from Snow Leopard or is a full reinstall with wiped hard drive, anyone have any experience of this and do i need to run a backup beforehand?

    Always backup your important data before upgrading to a new Mac OS X.
    Lion doesn't erase the drive but better to be safe than sorry.
    And run Disk Utility  (Applications/Utilities). Verify and if necessary repair the startup disk before upgrading.
    Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks
    Before upgrading read here >  Lion upgrade questions and answers:  Apple Support Communities
    And here >  What applications are not compatible with Mac OS X 10.7 "Lion"? What upgrade or substitute options are available for common incompatible applications? @ EveryMac.com

  • Trying to install snow leopard on an iMac.

    My iMac is running 10.5.8 and I am trying to install Snow Leopard, but the machine keeps spitting the disk out without any prompt boxes.  The software was ordered from Apple and is fresh out of the package.  The machine accepts other disks just fine.  Am I missing something?

    Check the disc for smudges or scratches. Also check on a different machine. Bad discs are a rarity, but do happen. Last resort, call Apple and get a replacement.

  • I am trying to install Snow Leopard, but everytime I put the disc in, it will spin and then eject itself.

    I am trying to install Snow Leopard, but everytime I put the disc in, it will spin and then eject itself.

    http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1172/en_US/Snow_Leopard_Installatio n_Instructions.pdf
    This should give some insight.

Maybe you are looking for

  • My iphone 4 is not syncing the music from my itunes library.

    I tried to restore the iphone and everything else has been backed up, but the music is not syncing. I have the "automatically sync" option checked, and have unchecked the "manually manage music and videos" option unchecked. (due to prior suggestions.

  • SMARTFORMS language translations are not stored

    Experts, I am trying to translate a SMARTFORM from Language EN to Languages ES, PT & DE. After maintaining translations using SE63 when I check the output it is giving the correct output with language translations but after changing the english versi

  • How to install packages on client via VPN

    Hello I have a number of users that use laptops and mostly connect to the office network via an OSX VPN Server. I can see when they connect, copy files to them and control their screens. I do not seem to be able to install packages to them. The ARD c

  • Copying Global variables

    Is there any easy way to copy a group of global variable from one job to another? I know I can insert the global variables one at a time but there must be a quicker way????

  • Applescript Open PDF save as JPG

    I can do a batch process in Photoshop pretty easily, but I need it be a little more robust. I want to grab a folder full of PDFs then open each PDF in Photoshop. Then check to the width and height of the document. If the file is wider than it is tall