Dancepal1948

Q: Can't install MAC OS X Lion - Macintosh HD "This disk cannot be used to start up your computer."

I downloaded OS X Lion this morning and when I went to install it I got a "Screen - Select the disk where you want to install OS X."  -- Had two disk my Macintosh HD and my Time Machine (both are 1TB).  The top and most important is the Macintosh HD (999.86GB - 739.75GB available states "This disk cannot be used to start up your computer".  What do I need to do to install OS X Lion?

20" intel-based iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 8:48 AM

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Q: Can't install MAC OS X Lion - Macintosh HD "This disk cannot be used to start up your computer."

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  • by grantdoug,

    grantdoug grantdoug Jan 26, 2012 2:58 PM in response to ds store
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2012 2:58 PM in response to ds store

    awesome tip by dsstore

  • by jgdtx,

    jgdtx jgdtx Jan 28, 2012 2:30 PM in response to Dancepal1948
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2012 2:30 PM in response to Dancepal1948

    Hi,

    I installed Mac OS X Lion 10.7 just last week. now the update of the latest version is 10.7.2, I tried to install this update but it appear to install first the 10.7.1. here's my problem, I download the update 10.7.1, but on the process of selecting destination it appears "Mac OS X server update can't be installed on this disk. This Volume does not meet the requirements for this update."

    any help from anyone, would be much more appreciated.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Jan 28, 2012 10:31 PM in response to jgdtx
    Level 5 (7,979 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 28, 2012 10:31 PM in response to jgdtx

    Are you running Lion or Lion Server? They have their own updates. Sounds like you may have downloaded the wrong update.

  • by Paddiepad,

    Paddiepad Paddiepad Mar 2, 2012 1:00 PM in response to Dancepal1948
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 2, 2012 1:00 PM in response to Dancepal1948

    Hi i found these 2 things that maby can help:

     

         1. Go to Disk Utility and open it

              /Applications/Utilities/

         2. Select the main disk. Not the disk where OS X Snow Leopard is installed on

         3. Go to Partition

         4. Make the Machingtosh HD Partition 1 GB Smaller (or 128 MB)

         5. Click Apply

         6. Start the OS X Lion instalation again.

     

    i found this on the Apple support page for more info go to:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3926

     

    or you can do this

     

     

     

    Create a Backup Lion Bootable 10.7  Disk

    Purchaseand download Lion from the Mac App Store on any Lion compatible Macrunning Snow Leopard.

    1. Right click on “Mac OS X Lion”     installer and choose the option to “Show Package Contents.”
    2. Inside the Contents folder that     appears you will find a SharedSupport folder and inside the     SharedSupport folder you will find the “InstallESD.dmg.” This is     the Lion boot disc image we have all been waiting for.
    3. Copy “InstallESD.dmg” to     another folder like the Desktop.
    4. Launch Disk Utility and click the     burn button.
    5. Select the copied “InstallESD.dmg” as the image to burn,     insert a standard sized 4.7 GB DVD, and wait for your new Lion Boot     Disc to come out toasty hot.

    With this disc you can boot any Lion compatible Mac, and install10.7 just like you installed previous version of Mac OS X. You caneven use Disk Utility's Restore function to image your Lion boot discimage onto a external drive suitable for performing a clean installon a optical-drive-less MacBook Air, or Mac mini server.

     

     

    If your using Mac's in a mission critical type environment or have third party hardware or software you must rely upon working correctly. It's advised to wait until all the bugs, driver updates, third party software updates and other issues are resolved before upgrading. This might take several months. Then if you do so, do one machine at a time and carefully test everything before full deployment.

    It's also highly advised to backup all one's data either manually to a external powered drive in addition to TimeMachine and Hold option bootable Carbon Copy Clones etc.

     

  • by LRito,

    LRito LRito Jun 17, 2012 7:02 AM in response to Paddiepad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 17, 2012 7:02 AM in response to Paddiepad

    I experienced problems with my mac pro. I've tried to fresh install lion's and i've erased and created a new partition. Lion starts instal but in a few minutes crashes and inform that is impossible to continue. Wath can i do?

  • by bradleydad,

    bradleydad bradleydad Jul 23, 2012 11:05 PM in response to R C-R
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 23, 2012 11:05 PM in response to R C-R

    This does not work. In disk utilities, selecting the drive, not the volume, and partition, it will not let you make any changes. Any other bright ideas? (Fresh reinstall of 10.6.8, all updates done, never backed up. Repaired permissions, repaired disk from install disk, tried installing from DVD and target disk from another Mac.)

  • by bradleydad,

    bradleydad bradleydad Jul 23, 2012 11:11 PM in response to andrew167
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 23, 2012 11:11 PM in response to andrew167

    Why do folks keep suggesting this when it is not possible? Even tried disk utilies fire from another Mac.

    This does not work. In disk utilities, selecting the drive, not the volume, and partition, it will not let you make any changes. Any other bright ideas? (Fresh reinstall of 10.6.8, all updates done, never backed up. Repaired permissions, repaired disk from install disk, tried installing from DVD and target disk from another Mac.) No other partitions.

  • by bradleydad,

    bradleydad bradleydad Jul 23, 2012 11:17 PM in response to Harvey55
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 23, 2012 11:17 PM in response to Harvey55

    No such folder searching file name on HD, not even just backup.

  • by iHailCaesar,

    iHailCaesar iHailCaesar Aug 23, 2013 9:36 AM in response to bradleydad
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Aug 23, 2013 9:36 AM in response to bradleydad

    The method of partitioning worked for me.  Thanks for your help guys.  I have Lion 10.7 on my 2008 White MacBook.

  • by QueenAvalon,

    QueenAvalon QueenAvalon Jul 22, 2015 10:47 PM in response to R C-R
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 22, 2015 10:47 PM in response to R C-R

    Can anyone help me with my Mac problems?

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