how do I reinstall mac OSX 10.6.4?

Reinstall 10.6.4? exactly?

Only if you have 10.6.4 on machine specific disks that came with your computer (or you can call Apple for the disks)

However if you Software Update, Apple will bring your machine up to 10.6.8 automatically, with all the security and bug fixes. No choice to stop at 10.6.4 exactly.

10.6 is the Snow Leoaprd operating system, 10.6.3 or 10.6.4 or 10.6.8 is the updates to 10.6 that also occur when you run Software Update under the Apple menu.

So if your machine originally came with 10.5.x something and you upgraded via the 10.6.3 white retail disk, if you Software Update, you can't get to 10.6.4, it will just bring you to 10.6.8.

So if you want to reinstall 10.6.4 specifically, it would have to be the machine specific disks if your Mac orignally came with 10.6.4, else you will be force upgraded to 10.6.8 from any 10.6 version.

Now there are two ways to resinstall OS X, one way is to write say 10.6.8 over with 10.6.3 or 10.6.4 via the disks, and only 10.6 is overwritten, not your third party programs (most) and not your files. However you will need to Software Update, because your Apple related support files have been changed.

See #8 Reinstall Just OS X for that then Software Update to 10.6.8

Step by Step to fix your Mac

Another method is to wipe the entire drive or boot partition, then install 10.6 from the disk, then you don't have too Software update to 10.6.8 to get all the bug/security fixes if you don't want too.

I don't know what you want exactly, but I'll give you the links.

How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6

If your going to sell the machine this link will assist in gettiing all your data off

How do I securely delete data from the machine?

This is both methods explained, but I haven't seen it in awhile.

How to reinstall just OS X or erase/install OS X

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.

Actually, you CAN still stop at 10.6.4 exactly, IF you install an earlier version of 10.6, as mentioned above.

If your computer shipped with Snow Leopard discs as 10.6.0, 10.6.1, 10.6.2, 10.6.3, or if you have the retail upgrade 10.6.3 on disc.

I tried a moment ago, and this Apple 10.6.4 Update Combo Download link is still active.

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1048

Understand that 10.6.4 does not contain the Mac App Store (became available 10.6.6), nor any more recent security updates to disable the Flashback malware (10.6.8 v 1.1)

Message was edited by: kostby

Quite so Cosby.

I'm still on 10.6.4 on my iMac (10.6.5 on our Macbooks), and my partner on 10.5.8.

Having the latest of everything is not at all necessary, and frequently not desireable.

kostby wrote:

Understand that 10.6.4 does not contain the Mac App Store (became available 10.6.6),

That's one good reason.

Versions of OS X 10.6 prior to 10.6.8 are insecure.

Java (shouldn't be using anyway)

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5319

Safari (can use another browser)

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5282

Curl (An attacker may be able to decrypt data protected by SSL)

Directory Service (A remote attacker may obtain sensitive information)

ImageIO (Viewing a maliciously crafted TIFF file may lead to an unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution)

and on and on...

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5281

Safari 5.7.1 is insecure, Safari 6 released for 10.7 and 10.8 only

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT5400

MAS is off my Dock, only on the Apple Menu unused. 😀

Also, no XProtect system.

and so?

I'm well aware of the situation. In fact in the case of Java I've had it disabled for years. I also have Flash LSOs blocked and use NoScript among other tools to limit any risks.

This is an old conversation. I'll do things my way, not yours.