Hard Drive Issues?! Can't download updates or install new apps

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Hard Drive Issues?! Can't download updates or install new apps

I have a power mac G5 with Mac OS X 10.5 installed. I am new to macs, but not to PC's in general.
My issue is this: I can download but not install/launch new applications. I've tried updating safari but the .pkg file won't open. I've tried a software update from the apple menu but it says there's a network error 1011 yet i'm online?! I tried a standalone download of a combo update but it stopped halfway through...I CANNOT DO ANYTHING!!!
The machine is working fine, no strange noises, I can work everything on the mac as it should (internet, itunes, calendar etc all fine).
Why can't I update my software and why can't I launch my new applications/programs that I've downloaded?
I downloaded a combo update to a usb from another machine and it started the install procedure but when it came to selecting the destination, my hard drive was not selectable and said 'You cannot install mac os x update combined to this volume. ERROR_INSTALL. Went to partition the hard drive as recommended, but I can't as it's the startup volume...HELP PLEASE!!

Power Mac G5 (Late 2005), Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Oct 29, 2010 1:07 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

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Oct 29, 2010 1:15 PM in response to hannah9000

Hi Hannah, and a warm welcome to the forums & Macdom! 🙂

Is this the Combo you downloaded?

http://support.apple.com/downloads/MacOS_X_10_5_8_ComboUpdate

Could be many things, we should start with this...

"Try Disk Utility

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.

(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.

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Answer 2

hannah9000 Author

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Oct 29, 2010 1:18 PM in response to hannah9000

Thank you, i'll try the safe boot part now, I did a repair earlier (without os disc), I contacted the company who sold me the machine and apparently my discs are in the post so I hope to receive them tomorrow. Will report back shortly.

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Answer 3

hannah9000 Author

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Oct 29, 2010 1:30 PM in response to hannah9000

Still no joy...I have no problem once I get the discs in re-installing the OS but if the hard drive says I can't install an update on it then how on earth am I going to install a complete OS?
Is there anything else I can try as I'd rather not have to install a new OS?

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Answer 4

BDAqua

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Oct 29, 2010 1:55 PM in response to hannah9000

Was that the update you tried that said it couldn't install?

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac.

Then click on the version & report the version number & the build# please.

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Answer 5

hannah9000 Author

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Oct 29, 2010 2:00 PM in response to hannah9000

Version 10.5 Build 9A241

The update combo I have is 10.5.5 as it attempted twice to download it to my mac and it quit halfway through, so I downloaded the 5.5 to my pc (thinking naively it might be a smaller file and I wasn't too sure on compatibility issues) and onto usb - took three hours so i'd like to try and get that on the system first then i'll update properly once it's all working properly!

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Answer 6

BDAqua

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Oct 29, 2010 2:25 PM in response to hannah9000

OK, problem, I'm pretty sure... Build 9A241 is the Developer's beta of Leopard, not a Retail install, and cannot be upgraded.

http://www.sveinbjorn.org/macosxleopardreview

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Answer 7

hannah9000 Author

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Oct 29, 2010 2:31 PM in response to hannah9000

So it would be safe to clean the hard drive and install a fresh OS? Apparently the system was built with 10.4 tiger so I assume the discs coming will be loaded with that...
Thanks so much for your help

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Answer 8

BDAqua

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Oct 29, 2010 2:36 PM in response to hannah9000

Well, you'll have to see what comes, some of them came with 10.3

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Answer 9

hannah9000 Author

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Oct 29, 2010 2:49 PM in response to hannah9000

I'm not worried what os it is, I just need some functionality so I can install my programs!! I'll do a clean install, I hope it's as easy (if not easier) than a PC hard drive format...! Time to do some reading, I've read that the 10.5 isn't upgradable (you were right!) but would that make the hard drive impossible to install onto? I suppose as a beta it could have loads of issues...guess i'll just bite the bullet!

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Answer 10

BDAqua

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Oct 29, 2010 3:08 PM in response to hannah9000

I just need some functionality so I can install my programs!!

Are you sure they'll run under any version of OSX?

I'll do a clean install, I hope it's as easy (if not easier) than a PC hard drive format

Far easier.

I've read that the 10.5 isn't upgradable

Actually, legal copies ARE upgradable... 10.5.8 right now.

but would that make the hard drive impossible to install onto?

Not for most things, but it depends what it is you're trying to install.

Can you list some of these other things & the versions, or a link to them?

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