OS X Lion will not install.

Question

Level 1

34 points

OS X Lion will not install.

I am trying to install OS X Lion on to an iMac i3 processor with 4GB RAM. I am installing from a Lion bootable DVD. I ran disk utility before beginning to make sure there were no permission or disk errors; everything check out clean. I boot the iMac from the DVD and select "reinstall Mac OSX Lion" from the menu. I select the HD and the process begins with no issues. The timer during the first phase of the installation starts off at about 23 minutes remaining and drops all the way down to 7 minutes remaining and then it slows down and the timer begins going back up. After 2 hours, the timer now says 30 minutes remaining and it is still in the first stage of downloading components to begin the install. The installation never starts and the timer just keeps going up.

I've installed OS X Lion on at least three other computers and have never experienced this before. In fact, the entire installation process on the other 3 machnes was under 2 hours and that included getting all the software updates. On this iMac, after 2 hours, the install has not even started. I also tried formatting the HD and installing onto a completely clean disk and got the same exact results. I am baffled as to why OS X Lion will not install onto this computer. I finally gave up and restored the OS X Snow Leopard partition from the external Time Machine back up drive. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to solve this problem? This should not be happening. Thanks.

Posted on May 13, 2012 7:51 PM

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Answer 1

Carlo TD

Level 3

564 points

May 13, 2012 8:18 PM in response to David Ivey

First of all...if you are using a bootable disk, you either got it illegally or you are using the wrong terminology. Lion, was never sold on a disk.

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Answer 2

David Ivey Author

Level 1

34 points

May 13, 2012 8:23 PM in response to Carlo TD

Carlo, I purchase OS X Lion from the App Store and then burned the DMG file to a DVD to make the boot disc. This process is explained by Apple and it is perfectly legal. As I mentioned, I've already installed on three computers using this same disc. Technically, I suppose it is a disc and not a disk.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,472 points

May 13, 2012 9:12 PM in response to David Ivey

Why not download and install from the Mac App Store, it's the easiest method?

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Answer 4

David Ivey Author

Level 1

34 points

May 13, 2012 9:19 PM in response to rkaufmann87

If it will not install off a bootable DVD, I'm not sure it's going to install from an internet download. It's the same DMG file that it is installing from regardless of the medium. I am wondering if perhaps there is something wrong with the HD in the iMac.

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,472 points

May 13, 2012 9:22 PM in response to David Ivey

David,

You asked for advice, I provided it. Try it and see what happens, obviously the computer you're installing it on has to have the minimum system qualifications, have you checked to see that it does. They are:

General requirements

Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor
2GB of memory (4GB strongly recommended)
OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
7GB of available space
Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

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Answer 6

PaulKemp

Level 1

135 points

May 13, 2012 9:26 PM in response to David Ivey

I second rkaufmann87's advice. If it still doesn't work, save a copy of the install.log and post it on here. You should be able to save it onto a flash drive while the installer is failing to progress. I can't remember exactly where in the menu, but it is a menu option during the install none-the-less. Best of luck!

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Answer 7

David Ivey Author

Level 1

34 points

May 13, 2012 9:31 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Yes, the iMac meets all of the requirements for OS X Lion installation and works flawlessly under Snow Leopard with no issues. That's why this is so perplexing. I can try to install directly from the App Store but I fail to see how that will have any different outcome. If installing directly from the App Store, does it still give the ability to revert back to a Time Machine back up in the event the install fails?

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Answer 8

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,472 points

May 13, 2012 9:33 PM in response to David Ivey

Assuming you have a good high speed Internet Connection there should be no problems downloading. As for your TM backup, that is the minimum I'd recommend. To be honest on backing up IMHO you should have redundant backups. I'd recommend getting another external HD and creating a Bootable Clone using either SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner. On both my Macs (iMac and MBA) I use TM and a Bootable Clone on both as do many others on these forums.

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Answer 9

David Ivey Author

Level 1

34 points

May 13, 2012 9:34 PM in response to PaulKemp

Very well - I'll give it a shot and I believe I know how to get to the install log. I had checked it earlier after 2 hours into the install and it had reported no errors. If you both think it will make a difference, then I'll try it directly from the App Store. I just hope I'll be able to revert back to a Time Machine back up if necessary. Thanks for the input.

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Answer 10

PaulKemp

Level 1

135 points

May 13, 2012 9:35 PM in response to David Ivey

Installing from the App store will affect the 1st phase of the install (if I remember correctly, it's the DL phase). You will retain the ability to restore from a Time Machine backup even if the install fails.

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Answer 11

PaulKemp

Level 1

135 points

May 13, 2012 9:36 PM in response to David Ivey

Best of luck!

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Answer 12

David Ivey Author

Level 1

34 points

May 13, 2012 9:38 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Unfortunately, this is a friend's iMac and he does not have a high speed internet connection; it's only about 3mbps. I hope that doesn't present any other problems.

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Answer 13

David Ivey Author

Level 1

34 points

May 13, 2012 9:40 PM in response to PaulKemp

Very good - thanks for that tip.

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Answer 14

Carlo TD

Level 3

564 points

May 14, 2012 3:33 AM in response to David Ivey

David Ivey wrote:

Unfortunately, this is a friend's iMac and he does not have a high speed internet connection; it's only about 3mbps. I hope that doesn't present any other problems.

Actually... I think Lion is attached to a person's Mac App Store Account - hence Snow Lepord was needed unless the person purchased the flash drive with Lion on it and even then it is registered to a person's Mac App Store Account . So unless you plan on letting the person always use your credit card info for all purchases, your pretty much giving up the righs of your MAS account as well as changing their Mac App Store Account.

I also believe the license allows for one desktop, and one notebook computer - I might be wrong . I own two computers and just went a head and purchased two Lion's because the computers had different Mac App Store Accounts.

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Answer 15

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,472 points

May 14, 2012 5:52 AM in response to Carlo TD

I also believe the license allows for one desktop, and one notebook computer - I might be wrong . I own two computers and just went a head and purchased two Lion's because the computers had different Mac App Store Accounts.

As long as the same AppleID is used it can be installed on as many computers as he wants. The only exception is educational and business accounts, they have to purchase volume licenses, for home use if you have 1 or 10 Mac's the price is the same.

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