Roy Miller

Q: HowTo revert new MacBook Pro, Mac Pro or iMac to Snow Leopard

Hi all,

 

the following instructions were provided to me by our Apple Enterprise tech, and I've successfully performed these steps on a newly purchased MacBook Pro.

 

Please note the following - as of 15 Aug 2011:

- this technique will work on new MacBook Pro, Mac Pro or iMac computers UNTIL Apple modifies the hardware in these computers

- this technique will NEVER work on currently shipping MacBook Air or Mac Mini computers

- this configuration of Snow Leopard installed on a computer that shipped with Lion is not supported by Apple Support.  It is entirely possible that after a trip for an AppleCare support incident, or the Apple Genius Bar, that the computer will return with Lion installed.

 

with these caveats, here are the step-by-step instructions:


---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

HowTo - NetRestore - Install Mac OS X 10.6.8 on new Mac delivered with Mac OS X 10.7.0

 

    note:  this only applies to Macbook Pro, Mac Pro, and iMac computers that originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.x. 

               Current Macbook Air and Mac Mini computers cannot be downgraded.

 

Required resources:

    - another computer, running Mac OS X 10.6.8

    - spare external disk

    - Snow Leopard installation disc  (Mac OS X 10.6.0 or 10.6.3 Box Set)

    - Snow Leopard 10.6.8 Combo image file  (download from Apple Support Downloads page)

    - System Image Utility 10.6.8  (download Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.dmg from Apple Support Downloads page)

 

 

Procedure:

 

A. Create the NetImage:

1) mount the base source image  (Mac OS X 10.6.3.dmg - created from Box Set Installer)

2) launch System Image Utility  (from Server Admin Tools)

3) when source (from mounted image) appears in SIU screen, click Custom button

4) drag "Customize Package Selection" from Automator Library window to location

        between existing "Define Image Source" and "Create Image"

5) drag "Add Packages and Post-Install Scripts" from Automator Library to location

        between "Customize Package Selection" and "Create Image"

6) in the "Customize Package Selection" section:

    a) expand the "Mac OS X" triangle

    b) select options desired

    c) collapse the "Mac OS X" triangle

7) mount the appropriate update image  (Mac OS X 10.6.8 v1.1 Combo.dmg)

8) copy the MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.8.pkg package to a new local directory  (Desktop/parts/)

9) drag the MacOSXUpdCombo10.6.8.pkg icon from local directory to the

        "Add Packages and Post-Install Scripts" section of the SIU window

10) in the "Create Image" section:

        a) select the type "NetRestore"

        b) set the "Installed Volume:" field to "Macintosh HD"  (no quotes, can be any name)

        c) select the "Save To:" location

            (will be faster to a second local internal disk)

            (not faster to another partition on the same disk)

        d) set the "Image Name:" field to "Snow Leopard 10.6.8 NetRestore"

        e) the fields "Network Disk:", "Description:", and "Image Index:" don't

            matter unless one is going to use results on a NetBoot Server

11) click the Run button

12) when the dialogs appear, ignore the text and click OK for proper completion

            Dialog text:    "Image creation in progress. 

                            Cancel the image creation to proceed"

 

B. Post-process to create Restore Image:

1) find the directory created in the above process, named as in A.10d above

            (Snow Leopard 10.6.8 NetRestore.nbi)

2) in this directory are three files:

    - i386

    - NBImageInfo.plist

    - NetInstall.dmg

3) mount the NetInstall image  (double-click the NetInstall.dmg file)

4) navigate into the Contents of the package, to:  System/Installation/Packages/

5) copy the System.dmg file out to desktop or other work location

6) rename System.dmg to meaningful name, such as "Snow Leopard 10.6.8 System.dmg"

7) copy this .dmg file to external, bootable, Snow Leopard 10.6.8 system disk  (install in /Users/Shared/)

 

 

C. Install Snow Leopard 10.6.8 on new MacBook Pro or Mac Pro

 

via command line:

1) boot MacBook Pro or Mac Pro from external source prepared in B.7

2) open Terminal

3) find the restore target device specification

        a) run the command  "diskutil list"

        b) look for a 650 MB partition, labelled "Recovery HD" (likely disk0s3)

        c) the target partition should be immediately prior to the "Recovery HD" partition

        d) for a new computer with a 500 GB drive, this partition should be

                labelled "Macintosh HD", with a size of 499.2 GB

        e) make note of it's Device Identifier, likely disk0s2

4) issue the following asr (Apple Software Restore) command

    sudo asr restore --source "/path/to/restore.dmg" --target /dev/disk0s2 --erase

        (replace "/path/to/restore.dmg" with the path to the location and name used in step b.7)

5) this process proceeds and completes quickly, about 3-5 minutes. This is due to

        the "--erase" parameter; it indicates a block-copy operation

        If the process seems slow, likely the "--erase" option was omitted and

        the copy is being done as a file-copy operation.  Quit (ctl-c) and

        examine the command used...

 

 

via DiskUtility GUI:

 

1) boot MacBook Pro or Mac Pro from external source prepared in B.7

2) launch /Applications/Utilities/DiskUtility.app

3) select the computer hard drive  (typically "Macintosh HD")

4) click on the "Restore" tab

5) click on the "Image..." button to specify the "Source"

6) navigate to /Users/Shared/ and select the "Snow Leopard 10.6.8 System.dmg" file

7) drag the computer hard drive volume (Macintosh HD) to the "Destination" field

            (note: grab the volume, not the disk!!)

8) enable the "Erase destination" checkbox

9) click the "Restore" button

10) in the ensuing "Are you sure?" dialog, click the "Erase" button

11) authenticate with the local admin credentials

 

 

Apple Tech recommends leaving the Restore partition alone, and installing in the "Macintosh HD" partition only

 

commands to know:

    - asr

    - diskutil      (diskutil -list to see partitions)

    - hdiutil

Posted on Aug 15, 2011 9:00 AM

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Q: HowTo revert new MacBook Pro, Mac Pro or iMac to Snow Leopard

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  • by Roy Miller,

    Roy Miller Roy Miller Oct 24, 2011 7:16 AM in response to Gravelle54
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 7:16 AM in response to Gravelle54

    @Gravelle54 - as I think of it, the verbose boot may not help you at all, in that the text shown in verbose boot mode doesn't show up until after a boot volume has been chosen.....

     

    but the verbose boot is good to know about in any case!  ;-)

     

    cheers!

  • by Roy Miller,

    Roy Miller Roy Miller Oct 24, 2011 7:20 AM in response to scott.lowe
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 7:20 AM in response to scott.lowe

    Hi Scott,

     

    I think you are likely to be okay with your plan.  As far as I know, the MacBook Pro models were released with v10.6.6 and/or v10.6.7 of Snow Leopard installed.  If true, then those shipped with Lion should role back to Snow Leopard 10.6.6 just fine.

     

    The Apple Tech I was working with pointed me to Snow Leopard v10.6.8, which is what I wanted to end up with anyway.  I think "The Procedure" would work also using v10.6.6 or v10.6.7 as the source system.

     

    cheers!

  • by rpg2288,

    rpg2288 rpg2288 Oct 24, 2011 7:22 AM in response to iapg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 7:22 AM in response to iapg

    Ivan,

     

    I've been wondering the same thing for the past month or so. Could apple say "The macbook pro with part number '___' originally shipped w/ Lion, so it isn't possible/violates terms of use to downgrade to SL 10.6.8" ?

     

    Hey scott...was going to post this yesterday:

     

    ...Not to sound like the Apple police or anything, but you prob. shouldn't install that disc from the other macbook pro, because it violates Apple's EULA for OSX: "you can't install OSX on more than 1 machine". Apple could prob. argue that the only software license you own (for that Macbook pro) is Lion 10.7 (which was preinstalled), so you would need to buy SL (either the 10.6.3 disc or a 10.6.(7) Macbook pro disc from Apple) in order to install (and keep the warranty valid).

  • by Roy Miller,

    Roy Miller Roy Miller Oct 24, 2011 7:27 AM in response to iapg
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 7:27 AM in response to iapg

    Hi Ivan,

     

    Today, Apple have just slightly upgraded MacBook Pro line with more speed processors. I also noticed that graphics card changed from AMD Radeon HD 6750M to 6770M in top line machines.

    It may be that the driver for the AMD Radeon HD 6770M was never included in Snow Leopard.  If so, then although the system may boot, the display likely wouldn't work.

     

    If the 6770M was an optional config in the now older MacBook Pro model, then the graphics driver is likely included, to my way of thinking.

     

    This is the base issue with hardware upgrades - are the drivers for the new hardware included in the version of the operating system that is being installed?!

     

    so, I don't know if the new MBP will run well under Snow Leopard 10.6.8.  This is something that some brave soul will have to test.

     

    Note:  if the rumors of a Snow Leopard 10.6.9 release become reality, then Snow Leopard should have a new lease on life for all current Mac models.  However, my sources have informed me that Apple never releases an update to an older version of the OS, once a newer version is released.

     

    cheers!

  • by Lexiepex,

    Lexiepex Lexiepex Oct 24, 2011 7:30 AM in response to Roy Miller
    Level 6 (10,536 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 24, 2011 7:30 AM in response to Roy Miller

    Roy, all this goes far above my head. But I understand, that one part of the problems is not being able to choose the start up disk with holding Alt. Would it help to use the rEFIT tool?

    (http://refit.sourceforge.net/).

    Lex

  • by Roy Miller,

    Roy Miller Roy Miller Oct 24, 2011 7:35 AM in response to rpg2288
    Level 1 (30 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 7:35 AM in response to rpg2288

    @rpg228 - the only issue that I'm aware of is that if one brings in an Apple computer for repair, it may be returned with the system it shipped with installed.

     

    also, I don't believe that there would be a "license violation" for downgrading.  Often, licenses allow the current or any prior version of the software to be installed.  If true in this case, then the Lion license would cover any older version of the OS as well.   Admittedly, I haven't read the details of Apple's OS EULA.... 

     

    cheers!

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Oct 24, 2011 7:37 AM in response to Roy Miller
    Level 9 (54,040 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 24, 2011 7:37 AM in response to Roy Miller

    I know of users that were refused support when they had installed an older verion of OS X then what their Mac shipped with. Apple told them that voided the warrranty.

     

    Allan

  • by iapg,

    iapg iapg Oct 24, 2011 8:48 AM in response to Roy Miller
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 8:48 AM in response to Roy Miller

    Roy,

     

    I did some research and I found that AMD Radeon HD 6770M, that comes now with the brand new MacBook Pro 17 is already present in some iMac shipped in May 2011 with 10.6.7 installed. So the drivers of this new card should be present in last Snow Leopard release 10.6.8.

     

    Looks like there is no other change besides the graphics card and the processor speeds.

     

    Knowing the driver is included, I only have to know if the last firmware included will let this new MacBook Pro startup with 10.6.8

     

     

    Many thanks!!!!

     

    Ivan

  • by scott.lowe,

    scott.lowe scott.lowe Oct 24, 2011 7:37 PM in response to Roy Miller
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 24, 2011 7:37 PM in response to Roy Miller

    Thanks for your reply, Roy. Being the impatient sort that I am, I proceeded with my plan.

     

    My suspicions were correct; this 13" early 2011 MacBook Pro installed SL 10.6.6 from the install discs without any issues whatsoever. A quick Software Update later and it updated seamlessly to 10.6.8 and is now running GREAT.

     

    My procedure:

     

    1. Export data out of Mail, iCal, Address Book, etc.

    2. Make a bootable clone of the existing Lion installation using Super Duper/CCC.

    3. Boot from the 10.6.6 install discs from my wife's identical 13" MacBook Pro bought earlier in the year

    4. Use Disk Utility to erase the Macintosh HD partition (SL won't install otherwise)

    5. Install SL 10.6.6

    6. Proceed with installing bundled apps from second install disc, run Software Update to get latest updates, etc.

    7. Install apps.

    8. Enjoy!

     

    Thanks to all who helped contribute information to this thread.

  • by jimtet,

    jimtet jimtet Oct 25, 2011 5:26 AM in response to Roy Miller
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2011 5:26 AM in response to Roy Miller

    Roy. I have been on line with tec support for 2 days and they say that a (new iMac shipped with 10.7 lion) will not revert back to 10.8.6.  The 2006 iMac runs great on 10.8.6 with all my old software.  After spending to much on a new iMac and being a retired Vietnam Vet on a fixed income it not easy to purchase all new programs.

     

    Tec support & I with through all the, partition the hard drive and hold option c, command r and a lot of other things that did not work.  They finally said it would not work on the new lion based machine.

     

    Is there any way?   Can I install 10.8.6 on a external hard drive and run it on a lion based iMac.

     

    Any help would be greatly appreciated

  • by Tech Harmony,

    Tech Harmony Tech Harmony Oct 25, 2011 10:52 AM in response to jimtet
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Oct 25, 2011 10:52 AM in response to jimtet

    @Roy, You're a trooper!

     

    @Gravelle54, instead of setting up Verbose through Terminal on the Lion side, hold down option to boot into Snow Leopard but then let go and hold Command-V  ,,,, this should get you into verbose mode on a one-time basis, for the Snow Leo boot attempt. See here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1492  As Roy says, you're going to see a lot of crazy stuff but you might see what lines it starts to "hang" on.

     

    @jimtet, Doesn't sound like the Apple Techs you reached were able to run through "The Procedure".... it does work for iMac folks but the verdict for iMac'cers is that you'll get more performance if you request and utilize the factory install discs from Apple. If you call Apple back, they should send you the discs for 0-15$, depending on who you get. These special factory install discs for your iMac are probably all-white and have a version of 10.6.6 or 10.6.7 that was especially made for your iMac.... then you will be able to update from there as you please.

     

    Don't destroy any backups you've got of your stuff before you do this because while you can downgrade your hardware, you might not be able to downgrade all your applications if you've already upgraded them... you may need a backup, an "archive and install", or some other migration technique to recover your stuff after you get a working Snow Leopard 10.6.8 on there. The Apple Techs might be able to help you with this part, for now you should order the factory restore discs for Snow Leopard 10.6.8 that used to come with your iMac.

  • by rpg2288,

    rpg2288 rpg2288 Oct 26, 2011 7:31 PM in response to Tech Harmony
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2011 7:31 PM in response to Tech Harmony

    Hey Roy,

     

    Just updated the firmware to 2.3 (via Software Update). Everything works completely ok (so far)

  • by Mac Admin1,

    Mac Admin1 Mac Admin1 Oct 27, 2011 3:00 AM in response to Roy Miller
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2011 3:00 AM in response to Roy Miller

    I read a comment here (a potential solution) for iMac users who experience benchmark/speed differences after downgrading to SL - that's based on using a 10.6.7 installer DVD that came with iMacs. Now, based on this chart http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1159  the latest iMac (mid 2011) had been originally shipped with 10.6.6, so if there's any difference in drivers compared to Retail version 10.6.3 then iMac installer 10.6.6 and 10.6.7 are the same (only the later contains the 10.6.7 update).

     

    Unfortunately I don't have a mid 2011 iMac to test it with real installation, but I created 2 NetRestore images based on instructions provided here.

     

    Image A: based on 10.6.3 Retail installer + the 10.6.8 v1.1 Update

    Image B: based on 10.6.6 Installer of iMac + the 10.6.8 v1.1 Update

     

    there are some not so important differences, like FaceTime is installed by the iMac DVD, but not by Retail version, same applies to Flash Plugin, however they have no importance in our case

     

    I've compared the 2 resulting System.dmg files and here are the main differences regarding drivers in /System/Library/Extensions/...

     

    Exists on Image A but not present in Image B:

    ATI4500Controller.kext

     

    Exists on Image B but not present in Image A:

    ATI4500Controller.kext

    NVDAGF100Hal.kext

     

    mid 2011 iMac contains an AMD Radeon HD 6750M or a 6770M video card,

    and as far as I understand the above differences have no effect how these cards are performing.

     

    There might be other differences when a downgraded iMac is installed using the iMac specific 10.6.6 or 10.6.7 installer DVD, but right now I can't prove that, as I sad I have no access to a mid 2011 iMac.

  • by rpg2288,

    rpg2288 rpg2288 Oct 27, 2011 8:04 PM in response to Mac Admin1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2011 8:04 PM in response to Mac Admin1

    Confirmed working: Macbook Pro 15" w/ 2.2GHz i7, Radeon 6750M (512MB)

     

    I was able to exchange the 15" I bought (had to give Best Buy a really hard time - past the 14 day exchange period) (...and if anyone else is in that situation....I guess it is possible to bend the return/exchange rules... depends on what mood the manager is in/whether the sales people don't care )

     

    Switched the stock Seagate 500gb hd w/ the WD one I had from the other MBP. Boot o.k., no issues so far (writing this from the 2.2 GHz/Radeon 6750/Lion Mbp)

     

     

    --(will try firmware update soon)--

  • by tscheuzger,

    tscheuzger tscheuzger Oct 31, 2011 9:28 AM in response to rpg2288
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 31, 2011 9:28 AM in response to rpg2288

    I was able to revert to SL by putting my new Mac Pro in TDM and installed via a 2010 MacBookPro.  Booting off the retail 10.6.3 SL disc didn't work.

     

    However, I called AppleCare 10/26/11 and nicely asked for a set of SL restore discs for my 8-Core Mac Pro (which I received two weeks ago with Lion installed).  They arrived free of charge via FedEx three days later and I wanted to report that they are 10.6.4 and worked perfectly!  I got the OS Restore disc as well as the Apps Installer.

     

    So the issue of needing the 10.6.8 update doesn't apply to the Mac Pros - I have the upgraded ATI video card (5870) as well.  I needed 10.6.7 for my Pro Tools rig, among other things, so all is well.

     

    Ask nicely, and ye shall receive!

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