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User profile for user: Travis Coates
Travis Coates Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Can't Boot to the Snow Leopard DVD

I want to erase and reinstall OS X. I have a Macbook Pro 15", 2.66Ghz Core i7.

I do not have the original restore cd's (i've moved and lost them)

I purchased a retail version of OS X (10.6.3).

I cannot get my machine to actually boot to the DVD. I press option when the system starts and my internal HDD and the OS X DVD show up as options, I select the DVD and it thinks for a minute and seems to get stuck on a grey screen with the apple logo. No spinning gear or ball, etc. I've left it for upwards of an hour and it never moves.

I've tried setting the boot drive in OS X, no change.
I've tried running the installer from within OX X and restarting when it tells me, no change.

I've tried installing OS X onto and external USB drive, which starts out fine but when it reboots it gets stuck in the same spot again.

i'm at a loss... Any ideas?

Macbook Pro 15" 2.66ghz Core i7, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Nov 13, 2010 10:11 AM

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14 replies
User profile for user: OrangeMarlin
OrangeMarlin
User level: Level 5
5,210 points

Nov 13, 2010 10:32 AM in response to Travis Coates

First of all, since you have no system disks, why would you erase and reinstall OSX. Unless you have a major issue, this isn't Windows, and there are no real good reasons to erase and reinstall.

However, without system disks and if you really want to proceed, you will need 10.6.4 or above. You're going to have to purchase a current Snow Leopard DVD, not one that's over 6 months old. You got ripped off, to be honest.
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User profile for user: Travis Coates
Travis Coates Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Nov 13, 2010 10:43 AM in response to OrangeMarlin

Thanks for the reply... and yes I know this isn't Windows.

I am having frequent kernal panics. I also want to setup boot camp and I am unable to do so without re-formatting the drive and partitioning it (according to the boot camp error message I get)...

So I do have good reason, from my perspective.

Is there a document out there that tells you what version of OS X you must have to be compatible with your particular system? I found a 10.6 DVD, that didn't work and I was told I needed a 10.6.3 DVD. Now you are saying I need 10.6.4? I think that was released after I purchased my machine (July 2010), but I could be wrong.

Regardless of the version though, shouldn't I be able to install it on an external drive?
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User profile for user: OrangeMarlin
OrangeMarlin
User level: Level 5
5,210 points

Nov 13, 2010 10:53 AM in response to Travis Coates

Kernel panics rarely require a restore of your system. It's mostly hardware related or some major software conflict. See this article for assistance. Really, reinstalling your system is the very last resort.

I'm not saying that 10.6.4 is required. It just appears that you do, given the date you purchased your machine.

Finally, you may or not be able to install it on an external drive, depending if your MBP is compatible with the version. And yours appears to not be.
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User profile for user: OrangeMarlin
OrangeMarlin
User level: Level 5
5,210 points

Nov 13, 2010 10:56 AM in response to OrangeMarlin

More information:

I think you have a hard disk issue that's causing all of your problems, even partitioning for Boot Camp and, of course, your kernel panics. You should use TechTools to see what's up.

If you do have a HDD issue, then you should make an Appointment with an Apple Genius. They'll replace your HDD, AND, as a bonus, install OSX.
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User profile for user: Seelinnikoi
Seelinnikoi
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 13, 2010 5:26 PM in response to Travis Coates

I was on the same boat too...

I phoned Apple today and a technician confirmed that unfortunately any Macbook Pro bought in 2010 will not boot with any retail version of Snow Leopard that has the 10.6.3 system.

You would need a specialist version that is available by order over the phone or at the apple store itself.

I learned this the hard way, after misplacing the original discs AND foolishly buying snow leopard retail box... :/
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User profile for user: eww
eww
User level: Level 9
53,028 points

Nov 13, 2010 5:44 PM in response to Hellstan

What you need is a duplicate of the installer disc that was shipped with the computer. If you've lost both discs, order dupes of both — or maybe they're only available as a set anyway. Expect to pay around $60, and have your computer's serial number handy when you call Customer Relations at 1-800-767-2775.
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User profile for user: Hellstan
Hellstan
User level: Level 1
20 points

Nov 13, 2010 5:48 PM in response to eww

Not so.
I have both original disks in 10.6.3 : Disk 1 Install won't boot.
Apple sent to me a dupe for free, no mention of version on it…
And it won't boot either…
I finally booted in Target Mode and did the disk repair from my iMac.
Still not comfortable while travelling with a disk I cannot boot from.
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User profile for user: eww
eww
User level: Level 9
53,028 points

Nov 13, 2010 6:00 PM in response to Hellstan

Still not comfortable while travelling with a disk I cannot boot from.


I wouldn't be either, and instead of an easily-damaged DVD, I travel with a portable hard drive that contains a bootable clone of my internal drive.

That is, in fact, exactly the disc you need, so there's a problem with your drive or your computer. Get a drive cleaning disc and use it, and if that doesn't enable you to boot to the duplicate disc, have your computer repaired.
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Can't Boot to the Snow Leopard DVD

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