I installed Snow Leopard 10.6.3 on my MacBook using the installation disk, and followed the instructions. The software seemed to install, the computer rebooted, but when I checked info, it tells me I still have v10.5.8. How do I get v10.6.3 to install?
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8), I have over 2 G of RAM
Make sure your disk looks like this, and does not say Upgrade, Dropin, or OEM.
Discs that say MacBook, or any Mac model on them will not work with your Mac. Get the official snow leopard retail here if you don't have the correct disc:
How to Install OS X Updates Successfully
A. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions:
Boot from your current OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. Then select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
B. Make a Bootable Backup Using Restore Option of Disk Utility:
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4. Check the box labeled Erase destination.
5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the
Destination entry field.
6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the
Source entry field.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the external backup drive. Source means the internal
startup drive.
C. Important: Please read before installing:
1. If you have a FireWire hard drive connected, disconnect it before installing the
update unless you will boot from this drive and install the update on it.
Reconnect it and turn it back on after installation is complete and you've
restarted.
2. You may experience unexpected results if you have installed third-party system
software modifications, or if you have modified the operating system through
other means. (This does not apply to normal application software installation.)
3. The installation process should not be interrupted. If a power outage or other
interruption occurs during installation, use the standalone installer (see below)
from Apple Downloads to update. While the installation is in progress do not use
the computer.
D. To upgrade:
Purchase the Snow Leopard Retail DVD.
Boot From The OS X Installer Disc:
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple
logo appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
6. Follow instructions.
E. If updating:
1. Download and install update(s)
2. Use Software Update, or
3. Download standalone updater(s).
Do I need to do all this even if my computer is working perfectly fine with the v10.5.8? Why would I need to Repair Disk?
No, you don't need to do any of it. That's your option. I just provide the best method for finishing with a properly functioning upgrade to Snow Leopard. You wish to omit parts then be my guest. My feelings won't be hurt.
You repair the disk because if it's damaged or corrupted then your upgrade will fail and possibly all your files will be lost.
Didn't work. The DVD churns in the drive, then spits out.
I am trying to boot from a 10.6.3 Apple Disc to get into Recovery.
Did I forget to mention I bought it from the MAC App Store some years ago?
Yes- it looks exactly like that!
Thank you!
Installing Snow Leopard 10.6.3 on my MacBook
