install OSX 10.6.6 on new HD?

Question

Level 1

4 points

install OSX 10.6.6 on new HD?

hi all

yesterday i installed a new hard drive to my mac mini 2.1? seagate 750gb.

once completed i went to install the OSX 10.6.6 from the install disc i have, but it kept saying it could not be installed on this computer. i then found my old OSX 10.5 discs and installed that. and its working. i never did a backup as i have all the information i want on a seperate portable hard drive. and i wanted to start from scratch. anyway 10.5 is working but i want to upgrade to the moutnain lion (like my other systems). i have already purchased mountain lion and i also have the OSX10.6.6 install dics but i cant seem to figure out why its not working?

Any help woudl be great.

Posted on Feb 2, 2013 12:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

726,923 points

Feb 2, 2013 12:58 PM in response to bengeorge

You need to use a retail DVD, all of which are 10.6 or 10.6.3. The online Apple Store sells them.

(75863)

Reply

Answer 2

bengeorge Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:00 PM in response to Niel

i have it Mac OS X install DVD

Mac OS version 10.6.6

disc version 1.0

but its stil not working?

Reply

Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:01 PM in response to bengeorge

Apple doesn't sell Mac OS X 10.6.6 DVDs, so I think that you are using the Mac OS X DVD that came with a different Mac.

You have to buy the Mac OS X Snow Leopard retail > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard This DVD contains Mac OS X 10.6.3, so just insert the DVD and upgrade your Mac to Snow Leopard. Remember to make a backup before upgrading.

After upgrading, open  > Software Update to install Mac OS X 10.6.8, the latest Snow Leopard version.

You must know that your Mac mini isn't compatible with OS X Mountain Lion, but you can install OS X Lion. If you want to upgrade to Lion, call Apple to buy it > http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57 Check if your applications are supported > http://www.roaringapps.com

Reply

Answer 4

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:01 PM in response to bengeorge

You are using a DVD with a Mac OS X version for a specific Mac. You have to buy the Snow Leopard retail version following my last comment

Reply

Answer 5

bengeorge Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:07 PM in response to mende1

actually before i replaced the hard drive i was using lion.

what if i put the hard drive back in and this time make a copy of it (i think using time machine?) would this work?

Reply

Answer 6

Niel

Level 10

726,923 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:09 PM in response to bengeorge

You need to actually clone the drive for that to work properly. Programs such as the Disk Utility and Carbon Copy Cloner can do this.

(75867)

Reply

Answer 7

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:11 PM in response to bengeorge

That's an option that may work. One thing you can do is to start your Mac mini from the old hard drive and restore the old hard drive content to the new hard drive using Disk Utility. If you don't know how to do this, follow these steps:

1. After starting from the old hard drive, open Disk Utility and choose the Mac OS X partition of your old hard drive on the sidebar.

2. Go to Restore tab, and drag your new hard drive from the Disk Utility sidebar to Destination box. Remember to tick "Erase destination", and press Restore.

3. When it finishes, restart your computer and start from the new hard drive

Reply

Answer 8

bengeorge Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:15 PM in response to mende1

this might sound really dumb.

but my old hard drive is sitting in my hands. how do i install both drives?

i would have to take out the new drive, put the old drive back copy it to an extrernal usb drive and then put the new drive back and then copy the old drive back to the new drive, right?

Reply

Answer 9

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:16 PM in response to bengeorge

bengeorge wrote:

i would have to take out the new drive, put the old drive back copy it to an extrernal usb drive and then put the new drive back and then copy the old drive back to the new drive, right?

You can do that, too. To do it, use Carbon Copy Cloner > http://www.bombich.com

Reply

Answer 10

Niel

Level 10

726,923 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:16 PM in response to bengeorge

Put one drive in an enclosure.

(75868)

Reply

Answer 11

bengeorge Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:23 PM in response to Niel

alternatively, how can i access the app store from OSX10.5 etc..

i have a copy of lion there already if icould get to it? please see attached

Reply

Answer 12

Niel

Level 10

726,923 points

Feb 2, 2013 1:25 PM in response to bengeorge

The Mac App Store can't be accessed from 10.5. If you already have Lion on the new drive and got it from the Mac App Store, you should be able to use its recovery partition to load it onto another drive, but that will also require placing one of the drives in an enclosure.

(75869)

Reply