I cannot understand why I am unable to reinstall my Mac OS X installation disk 1 after performing a 7 pass erase. I kept the installation disk in the computer because iMac would not allow me to eject it. Plus I needed the installation disk in my computer to perform the erase in Disk Utility.
Can anyone shed light on this and did I erase the entire installation disk?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Try restarting your computer holding the "C" key until it boots
'C' key doesn't always work. Sometimes you need to use the Option key. If a 7 pass erase doesn't work, the hard drive probably is dead, unless you properly formatted the drive for the operating system. You should select under the Options in Partition GUID if you are installing 10.6 or later. NTFS, FAT32 and Apple Partition Map won't install 10.6.
This did not help. I still get the same message
I held the option key and now see a disc and wording that reads Mac OS X Install Disc 1, but when I clicked on the up arrow it went through its rebooting changes and repeated the same error message, Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer. My computer also will not eject the disc no matter how much I push the eject button.
Should I attempt another erase or is this pointless? It also will not allow me to shut down. I have to hold the power button for that. All I can do is restart, don't quit, or use start up disk. I have tried all three. I do have the Utilities tab made available to me.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1015 explains how to eject the disc. The Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer typically is caused by one of five factors:
1. An improperly formatted hard drive: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3003
2. A system specific disk from another Mac trying to be installed on any a Mac of a different vintage or model.
3. A damaged hard drive.
4. A Mac that is too new to accept the operating system in question. Macs typically can only install the retail installer that is newer than they are, and the installer that shipped with them.
5. A Mac that is too old to accept the operating system in question. Double check the system requirements of the operating system you are about to install.
I am going to do this all over again. Under Volume Scheme, what partitions do I choose? It says Current. The partitions go up to 16. Also for Volume information, should I put a name and size? When I initially did the 7 erase, I titled it Jus1 because with Untitled listed it would not erase the first time.
Reread my post. I've got now four factors. As long as none of those apply, here's how to partition for GUID:
Ok. I purchased this in September of 2008, so I don't know if that constitutes as being fairly new or in computer years old because I got four years on it. Number 2 is eliminated and until I read the links you provided, I am probably looking at number 3 and 1, but honestly don't know how that would happen. I am not that computer saavy to damage anything. I barely made use of everything on this one.
OK, all iMacs by 2008 are 10.7 compatible and 10.6 compatible. September 2008, Mac OS X 10.5.4 retail was already released, so you can't use it. You can use 10.5.6 retail, 10.6 retail, 10.6.3 retail, or 10.7 retail, or the original installer discs that came with the iMac to install 10.5 on it. If it is a different Mac model the installer disc scenario may differ.
I don't mean to ask a dumb question, so since my installation disk is not ejecting or working, I will need to repurchase any of the suggestions you provided meaning the 10.5.6 retail, etc? and Thank you for your help
If none of the tips for ejecting work in my tip 1015, bring the machine in for service to have the disc removed. Then you'll know for certain if anything needs repurchasing.
Thank you so much and you were a great help in all the information you provided. Sorry I took so long to respond to you.
Cannot reinstall Mac OS X after 7 pass erase
