I purchased used iMac that originally came with OS x 10.6.6 then upgraded to 10.8.2. I would like to do a clean system install but after inserting my 10.6.6 install disk I get a window stating I have Mac osx.app 23.1.1 HELP!

Restart with the Option key held down, select the DVD, and press Enter.

(74525)

You will have to buy your own version of Mountain Lion, as that version you have is on the previous users account, not yours. Follow these instructions, they should help

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910?viewlocale=en_US

wingwest wrote:

I restarted the computer with the disk in pushing the Option key as you suggested. Now the window states:

You can't open the app "Install Mac OS X.app" because Power PC applications are no longer supported.

Next?

Boot normally, insert the SL install disc, System Preferences->Startup Disk, select the install disc, and hit Restart. If that doesn't do the trick, reboot into recovery mode, select Disk Utility, wipe the int HD, quit DU, restart, holding down the C key.

You got that message after wiping the HD? If so, repeat the zapping and resetting stuff, CMD+R, and try installing again. If that fails to work, I'm out of ideas, since I've not seen that behavior and beta-tested Lion and Mtn Lion.

wingwest wrote:

You can't open the app "Install Mac OS X.app" because Power PC applications are no longer supported.

Are you sure that disc came with that computer?

Not sure of your goal.

1. Re-install of Mountain Lion
   1. Fresh backup of your home directory
   2. Boot into recovery (either)
      1. Press command+r on boot. Choose recovery partition.
      2. Press option key on boot, choose recovery partition.
   3. Re-install Mountain Lion
2. Re-install of Snow Leopard, replacing Mountain Lion
   1. Order Snow Leopard 10.6 DVD from Apple.
   2. Back up your home directory
   3. Press option key at boot, choose Snow Leopard DVD
   4. Install over current boot disk
   5. Upgrade Mac OS X to 10.6.8 (either)
      1. Use Software Update until no more updates are available
      2. Download combination update for OS X 10.6.8 from Apple

         Use Software Update until no further updates are available

10.6.3 won't install if the original OS was 10.6.6 as inferred above.

The problem is that any OS upgrade purchased by the seller is NOT transferable - the license is tied forever to the Apple ID that purchased it.

The seller was obligated to wipe the drive completely and reinstall the original system.

Your problem is now that the disks may not be the correct version; in that case, I'd suggest calling Apple, giving them your serial number, and ask for replacement install disks. Also ask them which version the Mac originally shipped with.

UPDATE: Personally, I would contact the seller and tell him to either do what he is supposed to do and give you a Mac with the original system installed including the disks, or I want my money back. I would not find having to go through hoops to make it work acceptable.

Ok. Put Snow Leopard out of mind.

I would wait until OS X 10.8.3 is released (shortly). Apple will replace 10.8.2 in the App Store with the full 10.8.3 download. Purchase 10.8.3 with your Apple ID, and download to your Mac. The Mountain Lion 10.8.3 installer will get placed in your /Applications folder and auto-launch, asking you if you want to continue. You cancel at this point.

Now, you want to create a bootable USB stick with OS X 10.8.3 on it. Get Lion Diskmaker. This automated tool will ask you for your choice of Lion or Mountain Lion. And then, it will build the USB stick. Use a 16GB stick. You can then move the recently downloaded 10.8.3 installer to an external backup disk. I have personally used Lion Diskmaker and it works like a charm.

Backup your home directory. The next step is data destructive. Apple applications, not part of the OS X install, will need to be reinstalled, as will third-party applications. If you use the Adobe Flash plug-in, you will need to download the latest from Adobe again.

Boot the Mac with the option key to select the USB stick. Do a full, clean install of the latest Mountain Lion to your boot disk. Now you have a clean install tied to your Apple ID.

Great solution, but, aside from being contrary to Apple's SLA terms, do you know for a fact that (whatever version of) ML can be purchased on that computer using a different Apple ID?

And, how do you know that an update will be released shortly?

Whether you want to follow the path described in Apple's software license agreement or VikingOSX's suggestion - you need to erase the drive completely.

Worrying about the seller's info on your computer is the lesser of your problems. If you do not erase the drive, the current OS installed will still be tied to the seller's Apple ID and you will not be able to reinstall. If disaster strikes and the only way to recover is a reinstall, you would need to deal with your dilemma then (instead of doing it now).

Here is the relevant excerpt from the SLA: