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Level 1

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Can't start installation

Apologies if this is already covered. When I get to the screen inviting me to choose a drive to install OSX, I get the following message, with a yellow exclamation mark: "You cannot install OSX on this volume without changing your installation settings". Clicking on 'options', I am told "The destination disk must be erased for installation". This is the volume that already has Tiger 10.4.10, and all my files on. It will allow me to install it in a separate hard drive installed in my Mac Pro (and onto my MacBook Pro) - but I want it on my main drive - which is, incidentally, OS extended journaled.

Any ideas? Many thanks!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 2x3 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

Posted on Oct 26, 2007 11:14 AM

34 replies

jobetim Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2007 2:41 PM in response to baltwo

Thanks to all of you for your helpful and expert opinions. I have now spent most of my Saturday running test after test on my hard drive - everything from TechTools 4, Apple's Hardware test, Onyx, Cocktail, repairing permissions etc.etc. The only thing I haven't done is use Disk Warrior (apparently not Leopard savvy yet - not that that's a problem for me). So there we are, nothing wrong with anything I can detect and STILL Leopard will not install without first wiping the volume, which I suppose I could do if it wasn't such a hassle - surely Apple must be aware of this glitch; but I can't find anything about it elsewhere. Any more thoughts from this great community always welcome. At least I get an extra hour in bed tomorrow (the clocks go back in the UK...).

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 27, 2007 2:52 PM in response to jobetim

*The only thing I haven't done is use Disk Warrior (apparently not Leopard savvy yet*

Then run DiskWarrior on it. You just can't use it on a Leopard disk/volume.

Heloim

Level 1

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Oct 27, 2007 2:58 PM in response to jobetim

Okay, I just instaled leopard and the computer restarted only to stay stuck on a blue screen that won't go anywhere. Help!!!!

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 27, 2007 3:02 PM in response to baltwo

Update: See this http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/support.html which indicates you can run DW 4 on a Leopard volume as long as you don't boot from Leopard and run it from there.

jobetim Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2007 3:46 AM in response to Heloim

My condolences. But at least Apple seem aware of this issue, and make some frightening suggestions at:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306857

now I'm off to buy Disk Warrior. Leopard is more expensive and time-consuming than I thought....

Ben

jobetim Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2007 7:39 AM in response to baltwo

I ran Disk Warrior, it did pick up a few things it could repair, and did, and lots of little things it couldn't. Ever the optimist, I tried installing Leopard again....same old thing, yellow triangle + ! mark. I think I've reached the end of the road as far as my capabilities are concerned....so now it looks like the clean install (I hope Leopard is worth it...); unless that is, anyone has any other ideas.

Last question from me: Is there any point 'phoning Apple for the 90 day support, or am I wasting my time?

Cheers, Ben

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 28, 2007 1:41 PM in response to jobetim

The yellow triangle might indicate that journaling is off on the target volume. Launch Disk Utility, enable it if off, and give the installer another go.

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 28, 2007 1:42 PM in response to jobetim

See the discussion at http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=200710261517596 and my take on things.

zimer1

Level 1

20 points

Oct 29, 2007 3:17 PM in response to jobetim

Having followed the links Apple Forums and others, seems Apple does NOT recommend a straight install/update but rather Erase/Archive and install. This if I understand is a clean install as it reformats the drive. A backup must if erase choice or Archive on a folder, once the Leopard is complete, manual install files from archives.

I have not purchased Leopard yet and nobody talked about different options during install that it provides??? Is it why everbody is experiencing problems???

I presumed this was an update meaning install on top of Tiger.

zimer

zimer1

Level 1

20 points

Oct 29, 2007 3:25 PM in response to zimer1

http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20071026082852658

Here's the link at Macfixit that talks about these install issues.

zimer

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 29, 2007 4:17 PM in response to zimer1

IMO, your take is wrong; otherwise, the upgrade previous version wouldn't be the default installation setting. The installation options are described in http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306517 Note the default section. Further information at http://www.apple.com/support/leopard/install/

zimer1

Level 1

20 points

Oct 29, 2007 4:42 PM in response to baltwo

Yes, I see that.

Why then everbody seems to have install issues?? Not sure which way best to install, prefer clean or top of Tiger????

zimer

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 29, 2007 5:07 PM in response to zimer1

Not everybody. Most who post here because they had problems. Few who successfully install post here.

My rules:

Repair disk and permissions with Disk Utility; if disk directory problems unrepairable, run DiskWarrior
Run Apple Hardware Test, extended tests, and Rember
Clone entire Tiger installation to bootable, external FireWire HD
Test clone to ensure it acts like original
Shutdown and disconnect all peripherals, except keyboard and mouse (n/a for laptops)
Install Leopard using *upgrade previous version* on original or clone

That precludes most problems and provides a way to restore previous good Tiger installation.

woba

Level 1

0 points

Oct 29, 2007 5:17 PM in response to jobetim

Here is my story with the leo disaster.
checked hdd in tiger everything ok, no fault.
start installation leo, seems fine first, no yellow triangle on hdd but then installation stops. restart and then the problems begun.
no disk appear, disk utility show false name in directory, disk appear after 5 minutes but yellow triangle. try to reboot tiger but it needs 1 h tries to get tiger back to run. check disk in tiger but now hdd show same fault in tiger,no chance to get leo install without delete of data.
apple store in bkk can not help.

kirneh

Level 1

9 points

Oct 29, 2007 11:15 PM in response to jobetim

I'm stuck in the Blue Lagoon. Thanks for the Disc Warrior recommendation. Wait to buy Leopard until or if Apple fixes the bugs. It is not worth the time and frustrating of crashing.

Can't start installation