Installing snow leopard on an early 2011 MacBook Pro 13"

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Level 2

176 points

Installing snow leopard on an early 2011 MacBook Pro 13"

Hi Everyone

A friend has given me his early 2011 MacBook Pro 13" to troubleshoot (power and display issues) and to do a fresh installation of Snow Leopard for him. He cant find his original disks, so I'm going to need to use a retail version of Snow Leopard.

Now, his computer would have come pre-installed with either 10.6.6 or 10.6.7, but the retail version I have is 10.6.3. So, the reason for my post is to just do a process check with the community on what I'm intending to do in case I've missed something. I intend to:

Startup his MacBook Pro 13" in target disk mode
Connect it to another Mac via Firewire cable
Run Disk Utility and reformat the MacBook Pro 13"
Insert the retail version of Snow Leopard into the "other" Mac and run the installer from there
Install 10.6.3 from the disk onto the MacBook Pro 13" (obviously selecting its now reformatted hard disk)
After installation, run the Mac OS X 10.6.8 combo updater (previously downloaded to the other mac) and update the 10.6.3 installation on the MacBook Pro 13"
Shutdown the MacBook Pro 13" and reboot it as per normal

So, am I missing anything here? As far as I can tell this should work fine.

NOTES

The "other Mac" I'll be using is a Late 2008 MacBook Pro 15" running 10.6.8.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions/etc.

Joe.

Posted on Jan 17, 2013 3:17 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

sdpitbull

Level 3

965 points

Jan 17, 2013 8:45 PM in response to Joe Felice

If his compuer would have come with 10.6.6 then you will not be able to use a 10.6.3 CD. You cannot install an earlier version than what was originally included with that machine.

Reference: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2186

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Answer 2

Joe Felice Author

Level 2

176 points

Jan 17, 2013 9:58 PM in response to sdpitbull

I understand this, which is why I'd be installing 10.6.3 first and then updating this to 10.6.8 via the combo updater. His computer would be running in target disk mode the entire time until I was finished and then the first time it booted up it'd be booting up into 10.6.8. The CD would be run from a second computer during the installation.

In summary, his computer wouldn't be switched on as a computer until after 10.6.8 was installed.

So, do you still see a problem with this approach?

Joe.

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Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Jan 17, 2013 10:03 PM in response to Joe Felice

You can't install 10.6.3. Although your Mac will allow you to install it on his MacBook Pro because you have started it in Target Disk, it won't boot because this version isn't compatible with that computer.

That Mac includes a special 10.6.6 version that includes support for its hardware, so any older version won't work because its hardware isn't compatible. You need the original Mac OS X DVDs, and if he hasn't got the DVDs, call Apple to get replacement DVDs > http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

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Answer 4

Joe Felice Author

Level 2

176 points

Jan 17, 2013 10:13 PM in response to mende1

Hi Mende1

Thanks for responding.

Just to make sure that we're clear on what I intend to do...

mende1 wrote:

You can't install 10.6.3. Although your Mac will allow you to install it on his MacBook Pro because you have started it in Target Disk, it won't boot because this version isn't compatible with that computer.

I know it won't boot - but I don't intend to ever boot it into 10.6.3. My intention was to install 10.6.3 from a retail version of Snow Leopard and then to immediately update it with the Mac OS X 10.6.8 combo updater. So the only version his computer would ever be booting into is 10.6.8.

Are you saying that this won't work?

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Answer 5

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Jan 17, 2013 10:21 PM in response to Joe Felice

I didn't understand you on your last comment. In that case, you can do it. Just after installing Snow Leopard on his computer, download 10.6.8 Combo and install it on the MacBook's hard drive, so it will boot and it will work without problem. However, if the 10.6.8 updater doesn't allow you to choose the volume where you want to install 10.6.8, it won't work, so the only solution is to call Apple to order the Mac OS X DVD and install it on the computer

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Answer 6

Jan 17, 2013 10:19 PM in response to Joe Felice

The problem is that you're going to need to boot the machine in order to install the 10.6.8 combo update and the computer will not bot into 10.6.3 - and was never meant to. If I were you, I would simply call Apple and order the original disk that came with the computer (you'll just need the serial number handy). I don't know how much they charge - $20 maybe? - but it's well worth having teh machine-specific installation disc anyway - and in your case, I really believe that you're going to need it.

Clinton

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Answer 7

Joe Felice Author

Level 2

176 points

Jan 17, 2013 10:44 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Hmmm, okay, I think we're getting closer to a solution.

What if I do as I planned, but after installing 10.6.3 I reboot the "host" Mac using my friend's MacBook Pro as the startup volume (via target disk mode) and then download the 10.6.8 combo updater and install it. Then when I'm finished updating, I'd just reboot my friend's Mac into 10.6.8.

As for contacting Apple about replacement disks, that's a definite. It's just that my friend needed to get his computer functioning in the meantime, hence my creative thinking for a solution.

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Answer 8

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Jan 17, 2013 10:45 PM in response to Joe Felice

The same happens. You can try that, but I'm not sure if 10.6.8 Combo allows you to be installed on a different volume. Try it, and if it doesn't work, the only solution is to get the Mac OS X disc

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Answer 9

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Jan 17, 2013 11:35 PM in response to Joe Felice

OK What do you NOT understand. SL 10.6.3, the Retail disk, ,Will NOT allow that system to BOOT. It does not have the proper drivers.

Yes if you have an older Mac you can install 10.6.3 to an External drive, Update it to 10.6.8 then move that external to the Early 2011 and boot from it and Clone the internal drive.

But in any event you will need the Original System Discs to Re-Install the iLife Apps and your friend should have those discs for himself as at some point he is going to need them. Like he needs them NOW.

Call Apple and order a set of Replacement Discs.

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