Problem installing OS X in my macbook! Complete about 10% install and then

Help Sam and his mac wrote:
Hi, Please help.

Problem installing OS X in my macbook! Complete about 10% sintall and then has error Input/output and has a Log of failed install
And I have to restart.

When it checks the disc before install is has an error and I ignore and try install anyway.
It does take about 30 min to check the DVD before install so maybe my DVD drive is not working well or maybe my disc is faulty because it does say
Check for finger prints after checking dvd > but the disc looks much better than most my disc’s unless it’s very fragile as it has miner marks.

I have tried install 8 times hoping to get lucky but always fails.


Please give me some advice! This is my first mac and it is second hand.
Tech level: I can build my own PC but Mac is new to me.

MAC OS X 10.4.6 Tiger (2 disc that come with box/macbook)

Model name: Macbook
Model ID: Macbook 1.1
Processor name: Intel Core Duo
Processor speed: 1.83 GHz
Number of processors: 1
Total number of cores: 2
L2 cache (per processor): 2MB
Memory: 512MB
Bus speed: 667 MHz
Display type: 13.3" LCD
Display resolution: 1280 x 800
Built in iSight camera: Yes.
Seagate 60 GB SATA HDD MOMENTUS 5400.2

Welcome to Discussions, Help Sam and his mac

(1) Your posted system info shows you are using Mac OS X (10.4.6) on your used MacBook - 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo .

The software installer CDs/DVDs that ship with a Mac are machine specific ones that will not work on other models. Unless you are confident that you are using the disk that originally shipped with your Mac or are using an Mac OS X "Upgrade" disk, you should check with an Apple Service Provider to be sure you have the correct installer DVD for your Mac.

(2) If you are confident that you have the correct disk, you a faulty DVD drive is possible. Here are some ways you can check that:

 • If you have access to a Mac compatible external drive, try using it to install.

 • If you have access to another Mac, try using its DVD drive in Target Disk Mode:

   http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

 • An Apple Service Provider can test your drive and service or replace it if needed.

(3) With the correct disk and a working drive, install using one of the methods in this article:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1545

With the trouble you have been having, I would suggest that you install OS X using the " Erase and Install" option. Moreover, I would "Zero" the MacBook's startup disk to be certain that nothing unexpected remains on it.
 
  http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24002

Whether you use the erase or the zero options before you install OS X, use the Disk Utility menu item available after you have booted from your installer DVD.
 
One pass of zeros is sufficient. However, be aware that writing one pass of zeros will take more than an hour on all but the smallest drive, so plan plenty of time. Large drives will take several hours. Seven passes will take seven times as long.

(4) If problems persist, the following links will give you more help and troubleshooting information:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2956

  http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1394

  http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/install/





Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

Does your 10.4.6 say MacBook on it?

Help Sam and his mac wrote:
Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

You're welcome.

I did try some of those like the zero out (took about 5min) ...

Then I doubt that you are doing it correctly. To my best memory, even a hard disk as small as 40GB requires more than five minutes to write with one-pass of zeros.

You must boot from the install DVD, press return, then select Disk Utility from the menu. Select the hard disk in the column at left, click the "Erase" tab in the large window pane, and click "Security Options..." to set the "Zero" option before you erase.

One time on the second install it even gave me the option to upgrade (suggesting it had left a lot of OS x files from the install attempt).

This cannot happen if you have properly zeroed the disk.

Is there anything to suggest I did not have the correct CD’s for my mac? Is it the wrong OS X version for macbook 13.3 A1181 2006 or something like that?

I do not have a MacBook, so I do not know what markings it should have.

If a trusted source, does the person who sold you the MacBook KNOW whether the disk is the correct one?

User a brody, who is also responding to you here, may be better able to help you with this
(if you answer his question.)

If you cannot find out any other way, an Apple-Authorized Service Provider can help you.

From your advice you have given me I think I need to try copy the cd to another hard drive, then try copy to another harddrive from my pc (using its cd rom) if that fails.
And then copy to a USB if that succeeds.

That was not my advice, and I do not think that process could be of any help for you.

One more thing > the hard drive said failed underlying task on Exit. So maybe I need to use fsck to check that too.

If I understand the symptom you describe, you will be better served by booting from the install DVD and use its Disk Utility to test your startup disk and repair if necessary:

  http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=DiskUtility/10.5/en/duh1018.html

Thank you.

I will try your suggestions tonight.

You're welcome.

We will watch for your status update.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

I would put money on the disc being damaged, especially if you have kept it in that useless paper sleeve they come in. I'd suggest going to the PC store and buying a brand new OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard disc. It is only $35 or so. A small price to pay to resolve a major headache and an awesome OS.

Silly rabbit,

I've kept my iBook's install discs and my MacBook's install discs in those "useless" paper sleeves for 6 years and 2.5 years (respectively). The discs are in excellent condition and are still fully functional. So, the sleeves themselves aren't entirely useless. I have, however, made sure the discs are stored in their own stack in my desk and aren't squished by other objects.

Also, upgrading to Snow Leopard would involve the expense of a RAM upgrade for the OP, as the MacBook only has 512MB of RAM in it.

~Lyssa

Help Sam and his mac wrote:
thanks again.

Yes, they do say Macbook.

It’s quite possible I am not doing it correct > but I have tried a few times and various methods and I did not zero out every time but that is just for security (delete and install should suffice)

I checked the Hard drive again and the volume is ok.

Quote! That was not my advice, and I do not think that process could be of any help for you.

The reason I said it was your advice was to narrow down if it was a DVD, DVDdrive or hard drive problem or a OS version problem.

So last night I cleaned the disc best I could and tried again > Failed again.

So I then plugged in a usb hard drive and on to disk utility to make a copy image of the disk to the usb hard drive! It got to about 10% and then input/output error again.
The same error as the fail install so we now know the hard drive is fine > it does not confirm the DVDdrive condition but because it stopped at about 10% again it’s the DVD that
Is damaged.

Based on that new info, you seem to be an experienced user who doesn't need specific instructions and has a good plan for what to do in this case.

If you think that the install DVD might be damaged, you can use any 10.4 Disk Utility to " Verify" the DVD. That may tell you if there is a problem with the DVD, but it is not a certain quality check.

Can I fix a disc or not? Worth trying?

I don't know any way to fix or otherwise modify any read-only media (including your DVD.)

After that I tried to boot from my Ubuntu boot disc but the mac just kept ejecting it after trying to boot from it ( ***)

That was a great ***** idea but only if you **** the * of the ************* that ****** it.

  (There is little point in writing things that the profanity filter is going to edit ....)

So other than buying a new copy of what I already own OS X.

How can I get the mac to boot off a boot-able USB drive with a copy of OS X 10.4.6 on it. ??
I dont have a dual layer writer.

If you cannot find any other way, an Apple-Authorized Service Provider can help you.





Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

Help Sam and his mac wrote:
Well I know how to use/build a PC but I have never used a working mac (only in store) > so I have been learning the past 4 days.
I got this mac with no hard drive > hence the problem.
So the info you gave me of the possible problems is how I came up with the plan to narrow it down so thanks.

I don’t really have any other plan other than try make a USB > I don’t think I can make a boot disc with my PC dvd writer?
I have a acer one as well with Ubuntu but that has no cd drive so no help.


I didn’t know calling my DVD drive a bcith was profanity, But all things mac are holy 😉 lol.


Anyway > I am still quite stuck 😟
because i dont how to boot from a USB
I only see options for CD or network > not any other drives. this is when the install fails and u get to pick boot device again.

If you cannot find any other way, an Apple-Authorized Service Provider can help you.





Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5)
MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)
iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

Help Sam and his mac wrote:
Believe it or not I am still trying with this!

Maybe you can help me with a new question on the same problem.

What is the difference between Restore function in Disk utility and cope files or copy image?

My new plan is to prepare both hard drive 60gig and a 4gig USB as bootable drives.
Then plug the usb into my PC (with Mac drive ) and put the install CD in my PC, then copy system to the usb
And delete all the printer drivers(2.2gig) and Japanese, Finnish so on > making it fit and then copy all the rest of the files across.
And then put in the mac and try boot off it.

Can you think why this might not work or how it could work?

Please try help.
Cheers.

Sam

Hello again Sam.

I am not sure I understand all your questions and everything you are considering doing, but I know that *deleting, moving, or otherwise modifying items in OS X anywhere but in your Home/Documents folder can cause problems* unless you KNOW otherwise.

For a better understanding of what and how Mac hardware and software works, you might be interested in this part of the Apple > Support web pages:

  http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/

There are also a lot of good books on Mac and OS X available at libraries, bookstores or from

  http://store.apple.com/

For personalized help, some kind of training or http://www.apple.com/retail/onetoone/ might be what you seek.


Message was edited by: EZ Jim


Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.5)
MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.5)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)
iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod touch 4.1

Lyssa - I've kept my iBook's install discs and my MacBook's install discs in those "useless" paper sleeves for 6 years and 2.5 years (respectively). The discs are in excellent condition and are still fully functional.

Well, you are lucky. I have had several fail. And, I go back to my original suggestion, update to 10.6 Snow Leopard and save all the headaches.

Upgrading to SL is a fine suggestion, with only one problem: the OP would need to upgrade the RAM (maximizing it, preferably), which would involve spending more money. $29+ the RAM upgrade, so a total of ~$80 spent. Plus, the iLife software wouldn't be included.

Better to call Apple and see if replacement discs can be sent out, first.

~Lyssa