PowerBook G4 "this software cannot be installed on this computer"

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Level 1

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PowerBook G4 "this software cannot be installed on this computer"

Hello Everyone,

I recently bought a new MacBook Pro and I wanted to give away my Powerbook G4. I tried using the factory install discs to wipe as well as Mac OS 10.3 retail discs. I thought the hard drive have Mac OS 10.4 was a problem, so I wiped the drive and bricked my computer.

When I try to install Mac OS or use the factory install discs, it gives me the error "this software cannot be installed on this computer"

Does anyone know how to correct this?

Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz, Mac OS X (10.4), 2GB RAM

Posted on Aug 31, 2010 3:45 PM

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Answer 1

louie

Level 4

2,950 points

Sep 1, 2010 11:19 AM in response to azhrei654

IIRC, this usually means the install discs are simply not correct, either not made for your exact machine, or too old. If you are absolutely certain this is not the case, then it is a mystery. The computer boots correctly from the install discs when you hold down the C key?

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Answer 2

azhrei654 Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 1, 2010 12:49 PM in response to louie

I suppose they could be too old. I don't know how my computer would know that. They are the original install discs that came with the computer 5-6 years ago. It will boot from CD, but it states that the software cannot be installed. I might have to take it to a Mac "Genius".

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Answer 3

louie

Level 4

2,950 points

Sep 1, 2010 2:23 PM in response to azhrei654

If you have access to an Apple Store Genius, by all means.

By "too old" it's not that the disks age and go bad, but the installer checks what exact model you are trying to install onto. You get the error message if it's not a compatible OS and machine, such as the OS being older than the machine needs.

If there's no way your disks could have gotten mixed up with others, it's a mystery that someone with other troubleshooting tools (like a range of retail OSX disks) may have to figure out. Did you ever actually install OSX from these disks? Perhaps they were always wrong and you never knew it?

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Answer 4

ggarthe

Level 1

70 points

Sep 12, 2010 8:45 PM in response to azhrei654

I think that prompt may also come up if trying to install an older version of OS X on a drive with a newer version already preset. Since you can boot from the install disc, I would do that, then launch Disk Utility to verify the hard disk, then reformat it. Once verified and reformatted you may be able to then install the version of OS X on the install disc you have.
G

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