Upgrading from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard with no DVD Drive?

I have a 2008 Macbook 4.1 running 10.5.8, and I want to upgrade to Snow Leopard and eventually to Lion, But by my own doing I broke the dvd drive by dropping it down the stairs a few years back (thank god that was the only thing to brake) and have no way of installing!
I thought maybe i could buy a external dvd drive and install from that, but I don't want to buy one if its just not going to work! I'd love to be able to buy a brand new macbook pro but that is out of the question at the moment, but a external dvd drive sounds affordable.
Any ideas if this will work? and what sort of dvd drive to go for?
your thoughts would be much appreciated Thank you.

Thanks Ross, that is an excellent idea and have thought about it in the past, but because I only have my MacBook I don't want to have to rely on other people to update or even reinstall if something goes seriously wrong. I want a DVD drive that will work with my mac just ad the internal would. Maybe I should just bight the bullet and just get it fixed, but am sure a portable DVD drive would be atleast the price. Appreciate your advice though thank you.

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Upgrade snow leopard with faulty dvd drive

I am trying to upgrade to Snow Leopard from Tiger using the Snow Leopard install DVD. Unfortunately my DVD drive in my Macbook stopped working a few years ago. I have an external DVD Drive connected via Firewire and also an iMac using Lion.
When trying to use the DVD drive to install the software using the disk restore to factory settings function, it restarts but fails to progress to the select language screen, instead it jut starts up normally.
The iMac with Lion doesn't have the Remote Install OSX application so i cannot use the iMac DVD drive to install from. The new iMac also has a different firewire connecter so my lead won't connect to both machines to try and install using the iMac's DVD drive.
Any ideas how i can get my macbook to perform an upgrade or even to erase an reinstall using the Snow Leopard DVD?
Thanks

Thanks Ross, that is an excellent idea and have thought about it in the past, but because I only have my MacBook I don't want to have to rely on other people to update or even reinstall if something goes seriously wrong. I want a DVD drive that will work with my mac just ad the internal would. Maybe I should just bight the bullet and just get it fixed, but am sure a portable DVD drive would be atleast the price. Appreciate your advice though thank you.

My iPhone 4S no longer syncs after upgrading from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard 10.6.3

y iPhone 4S no longer syncs after upgrading from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard 10.6.3 - any solutions out there?

Thanks - got stuck with the upgrade to 10.6.8, but Apple Support was able to navigate me through that, the date settings caused a problem here.

I'm trying to upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard but my macbook keeps ejecting the disc. It started to install the first time and said it needed to restart to finish, restarted but ejected the disc. It ejects every time now.

I'm trying to upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard but my macbook keeps ejecting the disc. It started to install the first time and said it needed to restart to finish, restarted but ejected the disc. It ejects every time now. I've also installed the 10.5.8 combo update but that didn't help it. I've tried restarting the macbook with the disc in, holding c, all that. Why won't this work?!

Zap the PRAM and Reset the SMC, then try again.

When I upgrade from OS10.5.8 to Snow Leopard will all my data transfer. If I need to back up what is the best way to do this?

I plan to upgrade from OS10.5.8 to Snow Leopard. Will all my data, applications and settings transfer automatically?
If I need to back up what is the best way to do this?

If everything works perfectly, your data should not be touched.
Personally I never trust my data to everything working perfectly.
I always backup everything twice at least.

I'm trying to upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard

I'm trying to upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard but keep getting an error message, "This update requires Mac OS X version 10.6.". Isn't Snow Leopard 10.6?....so now what?

It sounds more like you are trying to use an updater rather than the Snow Leopard installer DVD. You might read over 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).

It's been a while since I upgraded my system. Is there anything I should do before upgrading from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard other than backing up my files? The transition should be pretty seamless, right?

It's been a while since I upgraded my operating system. Is there anything I should do before upgrading from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard other than backing up my files? The transition should be pretty seamless after installation, right?

How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your current Tiger Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and later.) 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).

Upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard with retail DVD.

Apologies if this has been posted before, but I've not been able to find it when searching.
I'm going to be upgrading an iMac from Tiger to Snow Leopard, using the retail DVD. When I boot from it, it only gives me the option to install, and there's no indication that it will be upgrading rather than installing a new copy.
Can you upgrade Tiger to Snow Leopard with this DVD or would I have to do a clean install? If I can upgrade, is it normal that it isn't telling me it's going to do an upgrade?
Thanks all.

The Snow Leopard installer is somewhat optimized for updating an existing system: it uses data gathered from the old system to decide what to install, its network settings to attempt to access an Apple database of incompatible apps to supplement the list on the DVD, & other useful things.
It even does the equivalent of Disk Utility's verify disk step before writing anything to the HD & does the actual upgrade as root user, making permissions issues a moot point.
There is no reason to hesitate to use it in this way. It is greatly improved compared to earlier OS installers.

Upgrade from 10.4.11 to Snow Leopard without Leopard?

I'm trying to upgrade from OS X 10.4.11 to Snow Leopard. (At this point it's been such a headache that I don't even care about Lion.) If I've read correctly, I need to first upgrade to OS X 10.5 Leopard. The only problem is that I can't seem to find it anywhere on the Apple site. I even searched for the Mac Box Set that included Leopard, Snow Leopard, and iLife and can't find it either. I went to an Apple store today and they didn't even Snow Leopard on the shelf. Anyone know how I can get from 10.4.11 to Snow Leopard? Do I still need to go to Leopard first? I tried looking at the requirements/tech specs for the Snow Leopard install disc in the online store, but that link takes me straight to the tech specs for Lion. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hello,
If I've read correctly, I need to first upgrade to OS X 10.5 Leopard.
You read correctly, but that info isn't correct, if your Mac can hadle 10.6 then the $29 Disc will install on 10.4.x...
Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...
General requirements
   * Mac computer with an Intel processor
    * 1GB of memory (I say 2GB at least)
    * 5GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
    * 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.
Which apps work with Mac OS X 10.6?...
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
It looks like they do still have Snow Leopard:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDAzOA
If it's a core Duo & not a Core2Duo, then it'll only run in 32 bit mode.

IMac upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard

Can I upgrade my system from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard?
Here are my system specs:
Model Name:          iMac
Model Identifier:          iMac8,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2.8 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache:          6 MB
Memory:          4 GB
Grateful for any tips (I'm backing up right now!)

Many thanks for your responses.
I bought the Snow Leopard DVD from the App Store (AU$20.99), it arrived in 24-48hrs and the install was a breeze.
First, I backed up to an external hard drive with Time Machine, in case of any mishaps (this took a couple of hours). It took about an hour for the initial Snow Leopard install and then another 30 mins or so for the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo to upload (available online through software updates).
I was able to update both my iMac and MacBook from the same disk.
Now, my EyeTV Diversity is running well (the original reason for thinking about an upgrade) and I'm happy to be back in the land of serviced operating systems!

Trying to upgrade from 10.5.8 to snow leopard. It says I cannot use my current version of Installer

It says I cannot use my current version of Installer. How do I get around this. Auto updates are current.

Hi, is this a Gray Machine specific Disc from a different model?
Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...
General requirements
   * Mac computer with an Intel processor
    * 1GB of memory (I say 4GB at least, more if you can afford it)
    * 5GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
    * 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.
Which apps work with Mac OS X 10.6?...
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
It's been pulled from the online store & Apple Stores, so you have to call Apple to buy it, last I heard.
Buy Snow Leopard > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Call Apple Sales...in the US: 1-800-MY-APPLE. Or Support... 1-800-275-2273
Other countries...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

Please help upgrade from 10.4.11 to snow leopard

Hello. I have a client that is having trouble using a web based email I set up for him (Open Xchange). I wasn't having the same problems on my end, so I asked what he was running. It is a macbook 2.16ghz from mid 2007 and he's running 10.4.11.
I would like to upgrade him to snow leopard, but I'm having a hard time trying to find it. I found an upgrade on download.com but not sure it will work since I believe it requires leopard which is another one I can't find. I tried the apple site with no luck and I would feel better getting it from them since I'm doing this to someone else's computer.
Once I get it I read it's best to do a clean install, but for now if someone can tell me what's best I'd appreciate it. Do leopard then snow leopard or direct to snow leopard?
I have an older copy of snow leopard myself, will that work? I purchased it separately--didn't come with computer.
Thanks!
2.16GHz MacBook mid 2007 white
(MB062LL/A)
cores : 2
L2 cache(per processor) 4 MB
Memory : 2 GB

It will be an Actual CD.
Before attempting any Major Upgrade... get yourself an External Hard Drive... and create a Bootable Clone Backup of your current Hard Drive...
By far the easiest way to make such a Backup, is to use something like
SuperDuper http://www.shirt-pocket.com/
or CCC http://www.bombich.com/
That way, should anything untoward happen during the Upgrade,
you will NOT LOSE ANYTHING.
(Get an EHD that is at least equal to your current Drive...)

How do I upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard??

My apologies if this answer can be found elsewhere, but I don't know where else to turn. How can I upgrade from OS 10.5.8 to snow leopard so THEN I can update to Lion? Can't do anything unless I already have 10.6 or higher and I don't. Now what? Everything on the apple store keeps pointing me to LION. It's like they are forcing you to get Lion, however I can't do that if I don't have the previous upgrades. Am I missing something? Please forgive if this is a dumb question or maybe I'm missing an obvious answer somewhere. Thanks in advance!

As others have stated... you now have to Telephone Apple to get a copy of Snow Leopard...
Purchase Snow Leopard or Lion
1-800-MY-APPLE or 1-800-676-2775
Then... Before attempting any Major Upgrade... get yourself an External Hard Drive... and create a Bootable Clone Backup of your current Hard Drive...
By far the easiest way to make such a Backup, is to use something like
SuperDuper http://www.shirt-pocket.com/
or CCC http://www.bombich.com/
That way, should anything untoward happen during the Upgrade,
you will NOT LOSE ANYTHING.
(Get an EHD that is at least equal to your current Drive...)
Also, Install as much RAM as your Mac will run...
It is important to get the Correct and Matching RAM
See Here > OWC RAM > http://www.macsales.com/
Lastly... with regards to Lion...
Check here for compatibility of 3rd party Software you may be using...
http://roaringapps.com/apps:table
Snow Leopard Tech Specs
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP575
Lion Tech Specs > http://support.apple.com/kb/SP629

Will I loose all my files and photos when I upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow leopard

I have purchased Mac OS X Snow Leopard from the Mac store and I am ready to install it. Will I loose all my files and photos when I install it ? I am upgrading from 10.5.8 to 10.6.3 Snow leopard.

Before embarking on a major OS upgrade, it would be wise, advisable and very prudent if you backup your current system to an external connected and Mac formatted Flash drive OR externally connected USB, Thunderbolt or FireWire 800, Mac formatted hard drive. Then, use either OS X Time Machine app to backup your entire system to the external drive OR purchase, install and use a data cloning app, like CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, to make an exact and bootable copy (clone) of your entire Mac's internal hard drive. This step is really needed in case something goes wrong with the install of the new OS or you simply do not like the new OS, you have a very easy way/procedure to return your Mac to its former working state.

How do I upgrade from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard (10.6) if 10.6 has been discontinued?

I'd really like to upgrade to the latest OS (Mountain Lion?), but Snow Leopard is required to upgrade to Mountain Lion.

First you need to research all the problems people are having with the higher OSX versions, & make sure you have a bootable clone of what you have just in case.
then you must get 10.6 if they still have it, install it & update to 10.6.8 so you have the App Store to buy & download the huge 10.8 Installer.
Snow Leopard/10.6.x Requirements...
General requirements
   * Mac computer with an Intel processor
    * 1GB of memory (I say 4GB at least, more if you can afford it)
    * 5GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
    * 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.
Which apps work with Mac OS X 10.6?...
http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/
It's been pulled from the online store & Apple Stores, so you have to call Apple to buy it, last I heard.
Call Apple Sales...in the US: 1-800-MY-APPLE.

Upgrading from 10.5.8 to Snow Leopard with no DVD Drive?

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