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Level 1

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Cannot unmount disk

I am trying to install OS X 10.4.6 on an iBook.
I am installing from a DVD copy made by the local apple store.

The "Checking your installation DVD" part completes without errors.

During the install it stops and says:
BomFatalError - cpio read error: bad file format
Install failed: some files for BSD may not have been written correctly

I've tried this several times, always with the same error.

In the Disk Utility - First Aid tab, I tried Verify Disk and Repair disk, both which fail with "Could not unmount disk"

I also tried Verify Disk Permission and Repair Disk Permissions, both of which complete successfully.

Then I tried to erase the disk (1 pass), and it says:
Zero Disk failed with error
Could not unmount disk.

What else can I do?

iBook
PowerBook4.3
PowerPC 750(1.12)
1 cpu
700Mhz
640mb ram

ibook, mackbook pro, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Mar 31, 2011 9:01 AM

25 replies

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Apr 1, 2011 7:15 PM in response to allelopath

GUID won't work for PPC Macs, I can't remember where that choice is in DU, either Erase or Partition.

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 7:28 PM in response to BDAqua

Oh, i think i see it, in the partition options "Apple Partition Map"
I think I first selected 2 partitions, which defaulted to GUID, then switched to 1 partition, but the GUID remained ... stay tuned.

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 7:30 PM in response to allelopath

ok, its correct now.
Do I have to erase the drive again?

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 7:38 PM in response to allelopath

To answer my own question, I would think not.
I disconnected the firewire, put the dvd into the iBook.
Turned if off, back on ... some whirring from the drive, but ... nothing.

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 7:44 PM in response to allelopath

back to firewire/target. Can see it no problem.
Is it possible to install from the host DVD drive?

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 8:03 PM in response to allelopath

Just for good measure, I disconnected the firewire and tried the dvd from the iBook again, and this time it recognized the install disk. So its installing now, I think its beyond the point where it failed on me originally, so its looking good. I'll let you know.

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 1, 2011 8:35 PM in response to allelopath

Darnit, it failed again.
Originally, it failed in the "Installing Base System Part I"
Now it gets past this, but then in the "Installing Essentials" in fails at 43% with the BomFatalError - cpio read error: bad file format

What do you think? What can be done?

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Apr 1, 2011 9:24 PM in response to allelopath

OK, try this, put the iBook's Install Disk in the MBP, boot the MBP into Target Mode, boot the iBook with the Option/alt Key held down, wait for the iBook's Install Disc in the MBP to show up as a boot choice on the iBook, choose that... you may have to wipe the drive again before starting.

allelopath Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2011 8:57 AM in response to BDAqua

I've tried that, no dice. Also, I found the original 4.0 disk, but same result. The hard disk is bad and that's that.

Thank you so much for you help. I learned a lot along the way here.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Apr 10, 2011 10:44 AM in response to allelopath

OK, good luck. 🙂

Cannot unmount disk