How do I reinstall OS X after the hard drive has been replaced?

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How do I reinstall OS X after the hard drive has been replaced?

How do I reinstall Mac OS X after the hard drive has been replaced? I had an authorized Apple repair facility replace the hard drive on my IMac when the original drive died. I have the Mac OS X Install DVD which says "To start up from Mac OS X, hold down the C key as the computer starts up." I've tried that and all I get is a folder icon with a question mark on it. I'm guessing that's because I don't have the the OS installed to start from. How do I get the OS X installed?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6), dead hard drive replaced

Posted on Jun 22, 2012 9:44 AM

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Answer 1

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BDAqua

Level 10

239,015 points

Jun 22, 2012 1:03 PM in response to TK Va

Well, we need to boot from an Install Disc, see if holding Option or alt key at bootup allows choosing the DVD.

Wireless KB & Mouse may not work, try USB ones.

You may or may not need to Format the drive.

How to format your disks...

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html

(To Install OSX on an IntelMac the Drive it needs the GUID Partitioning scheme mentioned at the bottom.)

Thanks to Pondini, Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks...

http://Pondini.org/OSX/DU.html

BTW, this is the 1st time I've ever heard of Authorized Repair NOT installing OSX on a replaced drive!?

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Answer 2

TK Va Author

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Jun 22, 2012 1:51 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks responding to my question. I'll go give it a try. The tech at the repair shop said they would install the OSX for $100 but he said I could install the OS myself by putting the install disk that came with the computer in the drive as the machine booted up. Hopefully your advise is better than his.

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Answer 3

TK Va Author

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9 points

Jun 22, 2012 2:09 PM in response to TK Va

Better results holding the Option/Alt down during boot up but still unable to install the OS. First time I tried holding the Option/Alt key down, I the arrow pointed appeared on the screen. I could hear the DVD spinning but after a few seconds, it was ejected. Second attempt, I got the audio boot up sound...but no arrow pointer. I could again hear the DVD spinnning but the install disk was ejected after a few seconds. Third and subsequent attempts, no boot up sound, no arrow pointer, just a folder icon with a ? in the middle flashing on/off. Looks like I may have to go give them the $100 unless you or someone else has another idea. Sure appreciate your assistance!!

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

239,015 points

Jun 22, 2012 2:25 PM in response to TK Va

Are you 100% certain it's the Original Install Disc for this Mac?

Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

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Answer 5

Jun 22, 2012 2:47 PM in response to TK Va

Time for some detective stuff.

Is the disc you're using definitely the original one that came with the Mac? It should be a grey one.

If you're not sure, post the OS version and build no (should be on the face of the disc). Build no. will look something like 9Gxxxx (xxxx being a number).

Confirm the year of manufacture of the iMac if possible so we can correlate the two.

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Answer 6

TK Va Author

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9 points

Jun 22, 2012 2:48 PM in response to BDAqua

The disk I'm using is labeled "Mac OS X Install DVD" and it came in the box with the Mac when I bought it three years ago. It was in an small envelope labled "Everything Else" along with disk labeled "Applications Install DVD and was still sealed in the envelope when I opened it for the first time this afternoon. The Applications Install says "to use Apple Hardware test, hold down the D key as the computer starts up." I tired that and it works. Test results say "no problem." Instructions on the install disk told me to hold down the C key as the computer starts up but that doesn't work. The tech at Micro Center said the new hard drive had been partioned to accept the OS X install disk but I'm not so certain now. I haven't tried a PRAM reset but I'm off to try it now. THANKS.

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Answer 7

TK Va Author

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9 points

Jun 22, 2012 2:53 PM in response to noondaywitch

Noondaywitch --

the disc is grey and came with my computer when I bought it at an Apple store on 17 May 2009. The disk says "Mac OS version 10.5.6" on one line. The line under it reads "Disc version 1.0" The line under it reads" 2Z691-6436-A

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Answer 8

TK Va Author

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Jun 22, 2012 2:54 PM in response to TK Va

Noonday -- forgot to say I don't see a build number on the disk.

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Answer 9

TK Va Author

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9 points

Jun 22, 2012 3:04 PM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua --

Just finished the PRAM reset. Followed the steps listed in the article and got released all the keys when I heard the start up sound for the second time. Nothing happend after that so I put the install disc into the DVD again with no luck. Turned the machine off and tried again holding Option/Alt and C keys down. Still no luck.

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Answer 10

Jun 22, 2012 3:08 PM in response to TK Va

Would take me a while to check from that no (it's the disc order no.), but from the date the build should be 9G3556.

Either way you obviously have the right disc, and if it boots from disc 2 into AHT, there's no good reason it should balk at the installer disc.

It shouldn't be damaged if you've only just opened the pack, but no harm in trying a clean of the disc with a soft lint-free cloth wiping from centre to edge (not around the disc).

Failing that, you may try phoning Apple Customer Support with the info you've just given us, especially that order no., and see if they can replace the disc for you.

Unusual, but not totally unknown for a disc to be corrupted.

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Answer 11

BDAqua

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239,015 points

Jun 22, 2012 5:47 PM in response to TK Va

Seems the correct Disc...

iMac (Early 2009)  Model MB417xx/A IMAC 20"/2.66/2GB/320/SD/MSE/KB  Model MC019xx/A IMAC 20"/2.66/2GB/320/SD/WLMKB  Model MB418xx/A IMAC 24"/2.66/4GB/640/SD/MSE/KB  Model MB419xx/A IMAC 24"/2.93/4GB/640/256/SD/MSE/KB  Model MB420xx/A IMAC 24"/3.06/4GB/1TB/512/SD/MSE/KB  Model MC020xx/A IMAC 24"/2.66/4GB/640/SD/WLMKB  Model MC021xx/A IMAC 24"/2.93/4GB/640/256/SD/WLMKB  Model MC022xx/A IMAC 24"/3.06/4GB/1TB/512/SD/WLMKB  For Mac OS X 10.5.6, Build 9G3610  Part number Description

2Z691-6436 DVD iMac OS X Install 1 of 2 (Late March 09) International

2Z691-6376 DVD iMac (20-/24-inch) Applications Install (Early 09) International

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Answer 12

TK Va Author

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Jun 23, 2012 12:15 PM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua --

Appreciate your help troubleshooting my Mac. I took it to an Apple store this morning and they confirmed that the install disk that came with my computer was corrupt. Took them about 45 minutes to reinstall the OS (at no charge) and set things up to restore data that was on the old drive from the Time Capsule back up drive. Another 6 hours and everything should be just as it was when the old drive failed. Thanks again!!

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Answer 13

TK Va Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 23, 2012 12:15 PM in response to noondaywitch

Noondaywitch --

Appreciate your help troubleshooting my Mac. I took it to an Apple store this morning and they confirmed that the install disk that came with my computer was corrupt. Took them about 45 minutes to reinstall the OS (at no charge) and set things up to restore data that was on the old drive from the Time Capsule back up drive. Another 6 hours and everything should be just as it was when the old drive failed. Thanks again!!

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Answer 14

BDAqua

Level 10

239,015 points

Jun 23, 2012 12:26 PM in response to TK Va

Great news, thanks & good luck! 🙂

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Answer 15

Jun 23, 2012 1:46 PM in response to TK Va

Excellent, and welcome of course 😎

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