Unable to install Snow Leopard

Question

Level 1

21 points

Unable to install Snow Leopard

I am running OSX 10.5.8 on a 3-year old iMac (Intel Core 2 Duo). I recently tried to upgrade to OS Lion via OS Snow Leopard, only to find that it was impossible to purchase Snow Leopard from any Apple dealer (go figure).

I finally bought a new, unused set of Snow Leopard disks from an independent dealer. The DVDs are the basic grey ones; the first is labeled "iMac - Mac OS X Install DVD", and "Mac OS version 10.6.3". My computer fulfills the system requirements.

Upon launching the install disk, I get the uncompromising error message "Mac OS X Snow Leopard cannot be installed on this computer".

I have tried suggestions mentioned in other threads, including zapping the PRAM and launching from disk; they make no difference.

Can anybody please supply an explanation or even better, a solution? Or is this just Apple trying to force me into buying a new computer?

Posted on Sep 18, 2012 5:57 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

John Galt

Level 10

141,126 points

Sep 18, 2012 6:18 AM in response to Akominatus

... I finally bought a new, unused set of Snow Leopard disks from an independent dealer. The DVDs are the basic grey ones; the first is labeled "iMac - Mac OS X Install DVD", and "Mac OS version 10.6.3". My computer fulfills the system requirements.

Wrong discs.

You need to buy Snow Leopard by calling Apple: 800-MY-APPLE (in the US).

Snow Leopard comes on a single DVD and it's black in color. white with a picture of a Snow Leopard:

The discs you have are machine-specific and will work only on the exact, precise, same model iMac. Its refusal to install will generate that exact message if you try to install it on anything else.

Reply

Answer 2

Akominatus Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 18, 2012 6:18 AM in response to John Galt

Sincere thanks for that information, John Galt.

But what in the name of all that's holy are those of us who don't live in the USA supposed to do? I have contacted a number of European Apple dealers, all of whom insist that it is official Apple policy to no longer make Snow Leopard disks available at any price (thank you, Apple).

Oh, and some of the more sympathetic people I spoke to said the only possible solution was to find somebody willing to supply me with a pirated copy of the disks you describe. In normal marketing terms, this is called kicking your client base in the teeth...

Reply

Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

141,126 points

Sep 18, 2012 6:31 AM in response to Akominatus

Hmm... Have you tried Amazon, or similar software vendor?

It's expensive though, especially considering Apple had been selling them on their online store for $29 until just a few weeks ago. They are also starting to appear on eBay, but at similarly ridiculous prices.

I believe the dealers you spoke to mean well, but they may have been misinformed. It is my understanding that Apple still sells them, and should continue to do so until their stock is depleted. I hope that has not already occurred.

If only there were a way for you to contact their direct sales department as you can in the US... refer to this document for your country:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

I wish I knew what else to suggest.

Reply

Answer 4

Akominatus Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 18, 2012 6:36 AM in response to John Galt

I tried Amazon, but the prices were ludicrous - some even higher that for Mountain Lion, which does tend to suggest that Apple is sinning at least by inaction in not maintaining supplies.

After Amazon I tried eBay, which is where I found my grey disks - decribed correctly, but patently they are completely useless. As I think I will at least try to get my money back on them, can you confirm that they would indeed be of no use to anybody other than the owner of the specific original machine?

Thanks once again!

Reply

Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

141,126 points

Sep 18, 2012 6:55 AM in response to Akominatus

To be fair, Apple sells ML in the App Store for $19.99 and sold SL on its online store for $29.99, so its price was always more than ML. The fact that ML requires no physical media, packaging, or distribution probably explains some of the difference in price.

I don't claim any inside knowledge of Apple's marketing strategy, and know even less for beyond the US borders.

Don't give up - I find it hard to believe there is simply no way for you to buy it directly.

... As I think I will at least try to get my money back on them, can you confirm that they would indeed be of no use to anybody other than the owner of the specific original machine?

Yes, of this I am certain - for example, if they came with an iMac8,1 (a 24 inch, 2008 model with a specific CPU clocked at a specific speed) it cannot be installed on anything else.

eBay's policies strongly protect the buyer. The seller simply must refund 100% of your purchase price... but again, this refers to eBay's US policy.

Reply