I can't install macOS with the original install discs on a iMac from 2007

Question

I can't install macOS with the original install discs on a iMac from 2007

Booting up from the disc gives a message box with the error "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer."

I have tried this for weeks with no progress.

My model is: iMac7,1

The box says:

A1224

iMac 20"/2.0GHz/1GB/250GB/SD/AP/BT

Airport ID: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Ethernet ID: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Bluetooth ID: XXXXXXXXXXXX

MA876LL/A

W88XXXXXXXX

I even tried changed the date and time back to 2010, no luck.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Oct 3, 2023 12:00 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 8

38,865 points

Oct 3, 2023 3:37 PM in response to A_Nice_Guy145

The copyright date of those "original discs" is 2009, and the OS is 10.5.6.

The iMac is a 2007 model that last shipped with OS X 10.5.2.

I believe the discs are not the proper, specific discs required for that iMac.

There are many iterations of grey label install discs that have shipped with various Mac models through the earlier years. Each is very model/year specific and will not work to reinstall the OS and apps on another model.

You'll be looking for discs copyrighted 2007 or 2008 as that was the release window for that iMac.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

95,226 points

Oct 3, 2023 3:36 PM in response to A_Nice_Guy145

Sounds like you have the wrong disc’s for that iMac. The original install disc for a 2007 iMac should be dated 2006 or 2007 and not 2009.

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

158,544 points

Oct 3, 2023 5:35 PM in response to A_Nice_Guy145

The A1224 is a mid-2007 model. Grey discs are machine-specific. Those won't work.

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I can't install macOS with the original install discs on a iMac from 2007

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