Amberetta

Q: Cannot reinstall OS X 10.6.4 after wiping computer.

I bought my macbook pro in 2010 and it came with os x 10.6.4. Recently I wiped out my mac completely and then when I went to reinstall os x 10.6.4 with the original disc my mac came with, it said that Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer. Help!?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 4:55 PM

Close

Q: Cannot reinstall OS X 10.6.4 after wiping computer.

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by norm123,

    norm123 norm123 Oct 25, 2013 7:28 AM in response to Amberetta
    Community Specialists
    Oct 25, 2013 7:28 AM in response to Amberetta

    Hello Amberetta

     

    When you erase your computer, make sure that the file format is Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then try the install again.

     

    Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard: How to Erase and Install

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910

     

     

    Regards,

    -Norm G.

  • by Amberetta,

    Amberetta Amberetta Oct 28, 2013 9:50 PM in response to norm123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 9:50 PM in response to norm123

    Thank you for responding Norm but unfortunately that did not work. From what I've learnt that because I had updated my software to a newer version it updated some firmware that rendered os x 10.6.4 useless. So basically the factory disk that came with my computer is useless and I don't know what to do because I don't have any education with computers. All I can think of is maybe trying to buy a newer version of os x to see if my computer will accept that. Please let me know if you have any input.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Amber

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 29, 2013 10:00 AM in response to Amberetta
    Level 9 (72,561 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 29, 2013 10:00 AM in response to Amberetta

    To buy a newer version, you need access to the App Store since newer versions are all downloads. If you have access to another computer that has at least 10.6.8 installed, you should be able to download the newest OS Mavericks. Once that is downloaded, quit the installer and make a bootable USB stick which you can then use to install Mavericks on the erased Mac. Other requirements:

     

    • 2 GB or more of memory (More is better - 4 GB minimum seems to be the consensus)
    • 8 GB or more of available space

     

    Bootable Drive DVD or USB Flash Drive – Lion Diskmaker

  • by rlfunique,

    rlfunique rlfunique Oct 31, 2013 2:21 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 31, 2013 2:21 PM in response to Eric Root

    I am having the exact same problem described here. Is upgrading to a newer version free? It seems silly that I would have to pay for an operating system twice. If the new OS does cost money, could I just bring my mac book pro along with the original installation CD to a nearby Apple shop and get them to fix it?

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Nov 1, 2013 9:03 AM in response to rlfunique
    Level 9 (72,561 points)
    iTunes
    Nov 1, 2013 9:03 AM in response to rlfunique

    Mavericks (10.9) is free, but you need to update to 10.6.8.

  • by FrenchToast,

    FrenchToast FrenchToast Nov 1, 2013 9:58 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 3 (645 points)
    Nov 1, 2013 9:58 AM in response to Eric Root

    If the firmware upgrade on the Macs in question made reinstalling an older version of OS X impossible, then the best course of action is probably to go to a Genius Bar or other Apple retailer/store with both the Mac and the install DVD it came with (as a sign of good faith), and ask that they install the latest iteration of the version of OS X that was installed on the Mac when it left the factory.

     

    The retail price of Snow Leopard install DVDs didn't change with each newer version, i.e. it stayed the same from 10.6 through to 10.6.8, as far as I know, so the Apple people shouldn't have problems exchanging an older DVD against a new one, because this situation renders your machine utterly unusable.