Why can't I install mountain lion on OSX 10.6.8 MACBOOK PRO?

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Why can't I install mountain lion on OSX 10.6.8 MACBOOK PRO?

I downloaded the mountain lion install app and now i can't install it I get the "This disk cannot be used to startup your computer" error when I try and install. If i back out to the main install page and try it again then i get this error "OSX cannot be installed on Macintosh HD". I have read similar posts and done appropriate responses such as verifying and reparing the HD. I have a Time Capsule that I backup to and I've tried disconnecting from it and ensured its not backing up during my attempts to install. Nothing seems to work. HELP!!!!

Computer Stats:

Early 2009 13" Macbook Pro

Model identifier: macbookpro 5,5

ram: 8GB

HD space available: 60GB

Processor: Duo core 2.53

Nothing out of the ordinary. I don't have any crazy setups, pretty much straight out of the box.

Posted on Nov 29, 2012 5:50 PM

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Answer 1

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tzbikowski

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Nov 29, 2012 5:52 PM in response to njones13

you need to upgrade to Lion first

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Answer 2

njones13 Author

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Nov 29, 2012 5:55 PM in response to tzbikowski

really?! I didn't find anything that says I have to do that. What a bunch of crap...I want my money back.

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Answer 3

John Galt

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140,894 points

Nov 29, 2012 5:56 PM in response to njones13

Did you purchase Mountain Lion from the App Store?

Where and when do you see the error message you quoted?

See if this post helps: mountain lion cannot install on macbook late 2008

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Answer 4

John Galt

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Nov 29, 2012 5:56 PM in response to njones13

Lion is not a prerequisite for ML.

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Answer 5

njones13 Author

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Nov 29, 2012 6:03 PM in response to John Galt

Exactly like the article you linked except I can't find a "backups.backupdb" folder/file anywhere. Even when just manually checking folders and files. Its possible i'm not looking in the right spot, but its seems obvious enough.

I dowloaded the install app from the app store abour 3 weeks ago (from my home wifi)...I got frustrated and other priorities came up.

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Answer 6

tzbikowski

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Nov 29, 2012 6:02 PM in response to John Galt

I agree it is not. but if njones tries to run it from SL it will not work as it will go into upgrade mode which cannot be done without Lion upgrade first.

njones, you can install ML but you need to back up your data first and make a clean install of ML onto a clean partition - then restore data.

For some it is better is to upgrade in stages via Lion.

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Answer 7

njones13 Author

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Nov 29, 2012 6:05 PM in response to tzbikowski

So i would need to back it up on something other then my TM or will that suffice and once I erase my HD I can restore from the TM or will the ML no recognize the SL restore point?

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Answer 8

John Galt

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140,894 points

Nov 29, 2012 6:13 PM in response to njones13

Is your startup disk partitioned? If so this may be applicable:

OS X Lion: Installer reports "This disk cannot be used to start up your computer"

Are you certain you chose the correct disk on which to install the upgrade?

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Answer 9

njones13 Author

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Nov 29, 2012 6:21 PM in response to John Galt

It was partitioned at one point when I had windows 7 on a boot camp partition. When I deleted it I formed it back into one partition. The only disk that shows up to choose in the installer is my main HD. Hope the pic helps.

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Answer 10

Linc Davis

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Nov 29, 2012 10:38 PM in response to njones13

Select the icon of the internal drive in the Disk Utility window -- not the volume icon below it. What is shown as the Type at the bottom of the window?

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Answer 11

babowa

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78,097 points

Nov 29, 2012 11:02 PM in response to tzbikowski

I agree it is not. but if njones tries to run it from SL it will not work as it will go into upgrade mode which cannot be done without Lion upgrade first.

Where did you get that information? There is no need to install Lion first; you can go from 10.6.8 to ML directly. I have done it that way several times.

http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/

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Answer 12

tzbikowski

Level 4

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Nov 30, 2012 2:48 AM in response to babowa

Thanks babowa,

I cannot go back to the original post where I read it or (as I believe now I misread it).

I followed a couple of senior members threads and must have misunderstood and misinterpret the troubleshooting steps which made me believe the Lion was the MUST in such upgrade procedure.

I also had a problem with SL-ML direct upgrade but was successful with many SL-L ones which I think added to my false assurance.
I do applogise for the confusion.

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