How do I uninstall Lion

I appreciate the advice how about how to downgrade. I did do my homework... I researched Lion, and I called Apple about upgrading last week. I couldn't think of every question to ask, and the only problem I have (which is quite important to me) is that the fax modem no longer works. I did not expect to lose functions with an OS upgrade. I agree that it is my responsibility to figure out how to get rid of Lion, but I don't think upgrading is irresponsible. Security types recommend keeping your OS and software up to date. I make regular backups on Time Machine, use standard Microsoft Office programs for business use, and use a PC with Windows XP Professional regularly, so I'll be able to switch back with little trouble. I love all my Mac products--Macbook Pro, iPad2, and iPhone. But, it is my opinion that Mac products make great toys, but for serious professional use, PCs are your best bet.

Security types don't deal with Macs most of the time, because they aren't needed to monitor Macs. Macs have built-in security features you won't find with other operating systems. Like root account disabled by default. Firewall with built-in stealth mode on all ports that you have to disable. So to follow their advice to upgrade all the time is foolhardy when it comes to Macs. You only need to upgrade a Mac, if you find you have software that won't run on an older operating system that there is no counterpart for anymore on an older operating system. And then as you say, you backup. Microsoft you have to backup, secure with anti-virus, anti-spyware, and ask a system administrator to monitor your software just to keep it running smoothly. Apple's Mac products are more than toys, they are convenient, and less worry.

it is my opinion that Mac products make great toys, but for serious professional use, PCs are your best bet.

As someone who has done a fair bit of IT work, I have to agree with you. It's hard for a Mac tech to make any money these days. You can really rely on Windows machines to break down fairly frequently, and they need to be replaced about every three years. That generates serious revenue, so I always make it a point to recommend Windows! Of course, for myself and all the folks I find myself having to support for free (like family), I recommend Macs. Far less work, and easier to get work done. But you're right, for clients, it's Windows all the way... I've gotta keep my paycheck coming, after all!

😉

Nice... Glad you are not my IT services provider.

If you want, you can install ubuntu by just burning the dmg to a cd then booting it (hold down c key on startup) then click install. or use snow leopard or leopard or panther or jaguar or cheetah or 10.1 or 10 server. (but it wont work the same way)

UBUNTU

Nice... Glad you are not my IT services provider.

I think you missed the "😉"

I love being current with the latest technology so upgraded my old MacBook to Lion. Forgot how many applications I had that depended on Rosetta, i.e., Canvas 8 and an older version of Excel that still understands the old macro language. So I embarked on the process of reverting to Snow Leopard. Not that easy. First, I inserted my original SL installation disk and was informed I could not install from that disk but could from my Timecapsule. Unfortunatly, I back up my iMac and MacBook on the same Timecapsule. Apparently Timemachine creates a single file from all computers backing up with it so the file was too large for the MacBook. Using target mode from my iMac I was able to find an old backup that would fit on the MacBook and was able to establish OSX 10.6.1 which I updated to 10.6.8. Then moved files from the iMac to the MacBook and I'm up and running. Probably lost some files in the process but I'm OK. Had I not had the iMac, I think I would have been up a creek. So, some questions.

1. What was so onerous about retaining Rosetta?

2. Why can't Apple allow earlier OS's to install over newer ones?

3. Can I get my money back?

Larry Grenon wrote:

. . .

First, I inserted my original SL installation disk and was informed I could not install from that disk

Correct; you can't install an older major version of OSX over an older one. You can erase, then install, if you wish.

Unfortunatly, I back up my iMac and MacBook on the same Timecapsule. Apparently Timemachine creates a single file from all computers backing up with it so the file was too large for the MacBook.

No, there's a separate sparse bundle for each Mac that's backed-up, so in your case there should be two there. As long as you can see the correct one, you should be able to do a full system restore from any backup on it, per #14 in Time Machine - Frequently Asked Questions. The only exceptions are, if your system was very near full when the backup was done, or if the backups are damaged (so OSX gets a wrong size estimate). In that case, repairing the backups usually fixes the problem.

Why can't Apple allow earlier OS's to install over newer ones?

File compatibility, mostly. Operating systems (and apps) are typically "forward compatible" (meaning a newer version has code that will convert the previous version of file/folder structure and layout to the new one. "Backwards" compatibility is not really possible; the older version of an OS or app that was written long before the new one has no idea of the new file structures, so can't convert them.

Thanks Kappy,

It sounded like a real pain in the !@#$ to move back to Snow Leopard. What it really took was just a few hours. I had my original OS disk and my Time Machine backup on an external disk. I started up with the CD. Then used the Disk Utility to wipe the hard drive and reformat. Then choose "Restore system" (or something like that) from one of the other menus. It asked where the backup was and I directed it to Time Machine. It grabbed it and took off. 2 hrs. later and I'm back in business.

Thomas is correct, although I don't by the blame game back at us either. There's a lot of fault to go around. There was little warning that so much disaster would befall many of us in the move. Apple could have done a better job. I'm pretty disappointed with them right now. Once I get my old but reliable software updated I'll make the move again. But the bottom line is that a $30 software update is now costing me $$$. And that I can blame on Apple. That's the kind of stuff "the other guys" pull on a regular basis. But in my 30 or so years of using Apple products (pre-Macintosh), this is the first time I've felt really... tricked shall we say... by Apple.

Good luck guys.

I absolutely agree, it's the Mac owner's responsibility. I first upgraded my MBP (MA611LL/A, 2.33 GHz, 4GB Ram, Corsair CSSD-F120) to Lion. Extremely successful. I was aware of the loss of Rosetta. I really like Lion's good points (only thing I don't like is the default OPEN WINDOWS on restart). After a week of successful use, I upgraded my Mac Pro without further research (doh!). It promptly showed my mistake when my Drobo S would no longer work with Time Machine, and would no longer work with the eSATA card I have. I spent a couple minutes kicking my own rear, and then a week trying to make it work w/no joy. I then reformatted my Drobo, used Carbon Copy Cloner to clone my Mac Pro to it, tested to be sure the clone was bootable and the data was accessible, performed a clean install from the Snow Leopard DVD, upgraded to 10.6.8, and just this morning finished copying over my 3TB of data. Now to spend the day reinstalling apps, and I'll be back in business.

Message was edited by: John Gruver as spell check isn't working in this forum(???).

Yes, simply go back in time and make a bootable clone of your macbook prior to installing Lion, which you should always do before installing any major update, especially an OS update. Always.

Then after you install Lion if you hate it you can simply clone the bootable backup onto your Macbook and in a matter of minutes you're right back where you started.

Because you make bootable backups of your HD on a regular basis, right? Just like every major update for any program, including an OS, clearly states that you should, right? You wouldn't ignore the obvious, right?

Now, for that first part... going back in time...

nickers831 wrote:

I would like to downgrade. No, I WANT to. But this is Apple's problem not mine. Why should I have to perform a back up at the risk of loosing all my data by reinstalling Snow Leopard from disc?

Please tell me you're kidding. You're kidding, right? You must be kidding, there's no possible way anyone would actually think that you CHOOSING to install an OS upgrade without first making a complete and bootable backup of your system is somehow the software vendor's fault?

I have never ONCE seen a major software update of ANY kind that doesn't clearly state: "Before installing this update be sure you have backups of all necessary data." or something similar.

Honestly, how in the world can your CHOICE to buy and install a program and your CHOICE to do it without performing any kind of backup first be Apple's fault? Did Steve Jobs put a gun to a puppy's head and say "Perform this update, there's no time for backing up in case you don't like it, you WILL DO IT NOW OR CUDDLY HERE GETS IT, BLAMMO!!!!!"

Is it april fool's or something? I'm blown away by this completely lack of personal responsibility. Always gotta blame someone else when we make a mistake, always. What's this world coming to?

You tacitly imply that upgrades are a bad idea for the average person. I agree.

Since the things Jason said don't really apply only to installing upgrades, I'd say that it's just as valid to say that using a computer is a bad idea for the average person. And honestly, when it comes to mission-critical data or functionality, that's an absolutely true statement. The average, non-tech-savvy person won't back up their machine until they lose important data, won't take any care for what they install until they're bitten in the butt by something malicious or buggy and will casually ignore system messages telling them about a serious problem. I've seen it countless times, even among smart people.

Honestly, it's a surprise more people don't have trouble when upgrade time comes around!