Hz_UK
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: After kernel extension error, I now can't re-install snow leopard.

Hello,

 

I attempted to boot my mac up the other day and was given a 'prohibited' sign, so I re-booted into safe mode.

 

Once booted, I received this message when I tried to insert a flash drive:

 

System extension cannot be used

 

The system extension /System/Library/Extension/IOstorageFamily.kext was installed improperly and cannot be used. Please try reinstalling it, or contact the product's vendor for an update.

 

I followed advice given on another thread and replaced the extension with a time machine back-up.

 

The error message went away and I could use my flash drive

 

I then turned off my Mac, rebooted and was given the prohibited sign again.

 

I then tried to enter safe mode and it went so far and ground to a halt.

 

I tried over and over, but with no luck.

 

I zapped the NVRAM, reset the SMU, tried in single user mode, etc, as advised on another thread.

 

I did, once,  get past the safe mode task bar and got to a grey screen with an apple logo, but it remained in that state for over 20 minutes, so I rebooted and was back to square one again.

 

I couldn't find my original 'snow leopard' disc, so I ordered a new disc.

 

Try as I might, I cannot re-install snow leopard.  Thinking it might have been a hardware issue I have removed the HD and placed it into another Mac, ran a hardware test, etc, everything seemed fine.

 

I then thought it might have been the optical drive so using a FireWire cable, used the other mac's op drive, still no joy.

 

I bit the bullet, reformatted my HD, via the other mac, and tried again with no luck.

 

I am pretty sure it is not a hardware issue as such as I am typing this on the problem mac, as I have installed ubuntu precise pangolin, from disc, with no problems whatsoever.

 

I am now at a complete loss on how to proceed, as I desperately need to reinstall my mac OS, for my job as a graphic designer

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Hz.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Feb 20, 2013 3:34 AM

by Grant Bennet-Alder,Solvedanswer
Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder
Level 9 (60,931 points)
Desktops
A:

Apple expects that most folks have used the factory-installed software, kept their original DVD in a safe place for re-use, and possibly  upgraded to later versions.

 

If you need a re-Install during service, you may find your Mac has been "upgraded" during service.

 

There have been a number of times when the last-issued "standard" software will not boot the "last issued" Macs.

 

• You can ask them to send you a copy of the Installer for your model Mac. For a nominal fee, they can send you a DVD-R of the version that would have installed on your Mac when new.

 

• You can create a "recovery_HD on a [USB] stick" for your Mac, using Recovery Disk Assistant and a working Mac OS X 10.7 or later.

Posted on Feb 26, 2013 7:38 AM

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Hz_UK

Q: After kernel extension error, I now can't re-install snow leopard.

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  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 20, 2013 9:03 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 20, 2013 9:03 AM in response to Hz_UK

    Exactly which model Mac Pro do you have by MacPro 3,1 designation or processors and speeds?

  • by Hz_UK,

    Hz_UK Hz_UK Feb 21, 2013 12:38 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2013 12:38 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    http://support.apple.com/kb/sp589

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 21, 2013 6:26 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 21, 2013 6:26 AM in response to Hz_UK

    The Mac Pro 5,1 2010 model cannot boot or install anything less than the custom 10.6.4 that shipped in the box. The "Full retail" DVD is useless, as it contains 10.6.3 at the latest.

     

    You need its original "shipped in the box" DVD, or to install on another Mac using the "Full Retail" DVD updated in place with Software Update to at least 10.6.5.

  • by Hz_UK,

    Hz_UK Hz_UK Feb 21, 2013 7:04 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2013 7:04 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thank you for your reply.

     

    As I had lost my original disc, I purchased the full retail version, version 10.6.3?

     

    So could you tell me how to proceed from here?

     

    Thanks in advance.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 21, 2013 7:26 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 21, 2013 7:26 AM in response to Hz_UK

    You spoke of moving the drive to another Mac to test it, and that it booted successfully there.

     

    a) You could install 10.6.8 on a drive installed there, PROVIDED you start from a "Full Retail" DVD (which contains drivers for every appropriate Mac model).

     

    b) You could do a similar operation using FireWire Target Disk Mode to use the Troublesome Mac Pro as a glorified Hard drive while installing from the other Mac.

     

    c) you could use this procedure, which requires an external drive to hold a NetInstall image AND a Mac running 10.6.8:

     

    HowTo revert new MacBook Pro, Mac Pro or iMac to Snow Leopard

  • by Hz_UK,

    Hz_UK Hz_UK Feb 21, 2013 8:06 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2013 8:06 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thanks for your swift reply.

     

    I only tested the drive from the other mac, I didn't actually boot from it.

     

    The mac I tested my HD on, is a 2006 model mac pro, btw.  If I installed snow leopard 10.6.3 and updated it to the latest version, could I then clone, using Carbon Copy Cloner, the entire drive on the 2006 mac pro to the drive on the malfunctioning mac?

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 21, 2013 8:27 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 21, 2013 8:27 AM in response to Hz_UK

    Yes, that should work. be sure you start with a "Full Retail" DVD, since those have "Drivers for every appropriate Mac". Model-specific DVDs have drivers for only the model intended, and generally will not run another model Mac.

     

    Note: Apple assures us that this convention continues in "purchased" Vs "shipped with your Mac" versions of Downloaded Mac OS X. Images derived form the purchased downloads will boot and run any appropriate model Mac.

  • by Hz_UK,

    Hz_UK Hz_UK Feb 26, 2013 4:40 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 26, 2013 4:40 AM in response to Hz_UK

    I haven't tried to install from a cloned version of the the OS on my other mac, but just thought I'd add that after speaking to apple, they seem to think, in fact, were adamant, that 10.6.3 full retail version of snow leopard can be used to execute a fresh install on mid 2010 mac pros, but to be honest, I have little faith in the information provided by apple tech support.

     

    If you don't mind me asking,  where did you obtain the info that 10.6.4 can't be installed on 10.6.3, Grant?

  • by The hatter,

    The hatter The hatter Feb 26, 2013 6:24 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Feb 26, 2013 6:24 AM in response to Hz_UK

    Those adamant fools. The Apple tech doc for minimum OS builds:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159#mac_pro

     

    Can't use less than what it shipped with, and for once Apple stopped making retail available at 10.6.3 whereas OEM was "post 10.6.4" with drivers for ATI 5770 and hardware (10.6.5+ recommended as the ATI driver was buggy).

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Helpful

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 26, 2013 6:28 AM in response to The hatter
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 26, 2013 6:28 AM in response to The hatter

     

    This is the applicable portion of the table from The Hatter's link above:

     

     

    Mac Pro

    Date introduced

    Original Mac OS X included
    (see Tips 1 and 3)

    Later Mac OS X included
    (see Tip 1)

    Mac OS X Build(s)
    (see Tip 2)

    Mac Pro (Mid 2012)Jun 201210.7.310.8 11D2001, 12A269
    Mac Pro (Mid 2010)Aug 201010.6.410.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.310F2521, 10F2554, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001
    Mac Pro with Mac OS X Server (Mid 2010)Aug 201010.6.410.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.3 (Server)10F2522, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001 (Server)
    Mac Pro (Early 2009)Mar 200910.5.610.69G3553, 10A432
    Mac Pro (Early 2008)

    Jan 2008

    10.5.1

    10.5.2, 10.5.4

    		9B2117, 9C2031, 9E25
    Mac Pro

    Aug 2006

    10.4.7

    10.4.8, 10.4.9, 10.4.10, 10.5

    		8K1079, 8N1430, 8N1250, 8K1124, 8P4037, 8R3032, 8R3041, 9A581, 9A3129

  • by Hz_UK,

    Hz_UK Hz_UK Feb 26, 2013 7:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 26, 2013 7:11 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Thank you once again, Grant.....I shall be back in-touch with apple technical support with this information.

     

    Incidentally, what do you think apple expect people to do in my situation?  It seems to be a ridiculous policy.

  • by The hatter,

    The hatter The hatter Feb 26, 2013 7:24 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Feb 26, 2013 7:24 AM in response to Hz_UK

    They want us to use Lion or ML.

     

    They did sell an outrageous 10.6.8 + Lion on USB flash memory card for $69.

     

    You can order the OEM DVD for your model Mac if it did not come with one for $20?? or so fee, all they will need is you to read the serial number, something you never ever post or put online - to check.

     

    And I don't see much value in talking to someone that won't go beyond reading a script.

     

    Make sure you have AppleCare, backups, a 1500VA UPS (APC or CyberPower are excellent)

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,Solvedanswer

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Feb 26, 2013 7:38 AM in response to Hz_UK
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 26, 2013 7:38 AM in response to Hz_UK

    Apple expects that most folks have used the factory-installed software, kept their original DVD in a safe place for re-use, and possibly  upgraded to later versions.

     

    If you need a re-Install during service, you may find your Mac has been "upgraded" during service.

     

    There have been a number of times when the last-issued "standard" software will not boot the "last issued" Macs.

     

    • You can ask them to send you a copy of the Installer for your model Mac. For a nominal fee, they can send you a DVD-R of the version that would have installed on your Mac when new.

     

    • You can create a "recovery_HD on a [USB] stick" for your Mac, using Recovery Disk Assistant and a working Mac OS X 10.7 or later.

  • by Hz_UK,

    Hz_UK Hz_UK Feb 26, 2013 7:37 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 26, 2013 7:37 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Much obliged for all you have done for me, Grant!  

     

    oh and thanks to 'the hatter' too

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