bdayqueen

Q: Wiped Hard Drive - can't reload

I erased the hard drive of an iMac, running 10.6.8 using Disk Utility. Tried to reload the OS that came with it, OS 10.6.4. It won't reinstall.

 

Found out I no longer have a Time Machine Back up for this machine.

 

No other backup will work.

 

Running out of thoughts.

 

If I buy 10.7, will it install as new?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 30, 2013 12:06 PM

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Q: Wiped Hard Drive - can't reload

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  • by Grant Lenahan,

    Grant Lenahan Grant Lenahan Nov 30, 2013 12:40 PM in response to bdayqueen
    Level 4 (1,468 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 30, 2013 12:40 PM in response to bdayqueen

    I'm confused with three thoughts that seem to be mixed together:

     

    1. you cant install from your 10.6.4 DVD - correct? I dont understand why. (yet)

    2. you dont have atime machine backup "anymore" - why not?  You also ask if another backup will work - but if you have no files........you;re still hosed

    3. you ask if upgradingh to 10.7 will work. yes, but s should 10.6.4 so hold on....

     

    Please give more info. Let's start with:

     

    1. why did you wipe?

    2. did you make a backup? if so, where are the files right now?

    3. when you say 10.6.4 wont install, tell us the whole story. What medium, what did you do?

     

    Grant

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Nov 30, 2013 2:13 PM in response to bdayqueen
    Level 9 (57,655 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 2:13 PM in response to bdayqueen

    Tried to reload the OS that came with it, OS 10.6.4.

    From the system DVD that originally came w/the computer?   Any error messages?  If so, what do they say? 

    Check out the following: 

    Make sure the DVDs are not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000 Mac doesn't start up from install disc

     

     

     

     

    *** Your drive may need cleaning.  Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

  • by sanjampet,

    sanjampet sanjampet Nov 30, 2013 2:30 PM in response to Grant Lenahan
    Level 5 (7,874 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 2:30 PM in response to Grant Lenahan

    When you erased your drive did you have it reformat to Mac OS Extended (Journaled)? This is what you need it to be.

     

    In addition to Grant Lenahan's comments, try powering up and inserting the original install disk holding the C key. (This will make the machine boot from the disc)

    Hold the C key till you see the spinning progress wheel/gear, then release. Allow to it to finish booting, select your language, click continue, and on the next screen select Utilities/Disk Utilities., from disk utilities select your volume from the left side bar (default name is Macintosh HD, unless you renamed it).

     

    Click the First aid tab, if that screen does not come up (it should), click verify disk, after it runs verify, if there are any errors (they will be in red font) click repair disk. After running this if it still has errors, try running again till it comes up with no errors (should say this disk seems to be ok, in green font)

    If after a few attempts, and on ok repair, you may want to bring it in to an Apple Store Genius bar for a evaluation/diagnosis, this is a free service (you may have a failing disk)

     

    If the disk comes up as ok, repair permissions, then eject the disc, and reboot.

     

    Try the install again, and if successful, follow the prompts and set up an account.

     

    The first thing to run id the following update 

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399

    Go to Safari/Preferences/General tab, and set "Save downloaded files to:" Desktop, if desktop is not in your drop down menu, select "other then select Desktop from the left column.

    This will download the stand alone installer to the desk top. Click on the installer PKG and follow the prompts.

     

    Then run software update and do all the updates, some times (depending on your internet connection, it is better to run them one at a time, using an ethernet connection if available)

     

    After all is updated you can then try your TM back up. (There may be a/some corruption(s)

     

    Updating may be possible, if your machine will support it.

    Lion requirements:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/SP629

    Purchase Lion:

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion

     

     

    Read here about TM

    by Pondini, he is the resident TM guru.

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2986

     

    http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html

     

    Read thru all the links, there is tons of info.

     

    Hope this helps

  • by bdayqueen,Solvedanswer

    bdayqueen bdayqueen Nov 30, 2013 6:43 PM in response to sanjampet
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 30, 2013 6:43 PM in response to sanjampet

    I tried to make it short and to the point, but here's the whole story:

     

    My boss's computer (he passed away this summer after being ill for 2 years). The data on it was no longer relevant. I have the original software discs that came with it, so I naively thought I would wipe it clean and sell it.

    Using the 10.6.4 disc, I used Disc Utility and erased the hard drive. I don't know what settings I may have used. When I reboot from the cd, it tells me that this OS X can not be installed on this machine.

     

    There is no backup because the new boss erased our Time Capsule and everything was lost.

     

    I took the machine to the Genius Bar. They were able to load Maverick on it. We will see what tomorrow brings.

     

    Thanks for the assistance.

  • by Grant Lenahan,

    Grant Lenahan Grant Lenahan Dec 1, 2013 6:28 AM in response to bdayqueen
    Level 4 (1,468 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 1, 2013 6:28 AM in response to bdayqueen

    Well, if they loaded meevericks you're 90% there.  Still, there is no reason 10.6.4 should nto have loaded, if it was a full insatll copy or the one for that machine... strange.

     

    Best of luck.

     

    G