Macbook Pro won't update: Snow Leopard is/was installed

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Level 1

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Macbook Pro won't update: Snow Leopard is/was installed

Hi all 🙂 My boyfriend has an older Macbook Pro (I want to say at least 2006), and a few years ago he put Snow Leopard on there. He really doesnt use it much, and never likes updating things (I know, I bug him) so he never really noticed if this has always been an issue or not: It says he is running 10.5.8, but we both remember him getting Snow Leopard at least 4 years ago, but his computer doesnt say there are any updates available. He just wants to install our new printer! Can he download the upgrades elsewhere and see if they work? Or is there a way to see if Snow Leopard is really there? I have no idea what he does with his computer, for all I know he uninstalled it without knowing or who knows. Any thoughts? Has this ever happened to anyone? I know that he used his roommates upgrade CD, but I used my sister's upgrade CD a couple years back and mine is fine. Sorry if this seems dumb we just dont know what to do! Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 6, 2013 9:05 PM

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Answer 1

sanjampet

Level 5

7,982 points

Aug 7, 2013 2:07 PM in response to Singsweetkt

Hi,

Click on the Apple logo in the menu bar>About this Mac and it should tell you what OSX you are running.

If it is not 10.6.8 you will need to use the retail install disk to upgrade it. If you do nnot havr this disk (the one with the picture of the cat on it) you would need to call apple and order one or check here http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

If you have the disk try doing a back up first and reinstalling, power off the mac and slide the disk into the slot, then power up holding the C key and press in the the disk, continue holding the C key till you see the progress bar then let it boot and follow the prompts for install.

If it appears that 10.6.8 is installed you may try this following update direct from Apple's site and see if it installs, if not try the reinstall mentioned above and then run this update, (these are stand alone updates with the installer package, so I would set Safari to download them to the desktop and install them from there. Safari preferences>general, save downloaded files: Desktop) then run software update to see what other updates that

you will need. Write down the name and version of the recommended updates and go to this link and type in the update name and version to find it (them) and do the same.

http://www.apple.com/support/snowleopard/

Hope this helps

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Answer 2

Singsweetkt Author

Level 1

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Aug 8, 2013 6:23 PM in response to sanjampet

Thank you that is very kind. He swears he has it installed.I checked as you said above and it says 10.5.8 but he knows he installed it years ago. We don't have the disc as it was a friend's disc. Perhaps he will have to purchase it again and start over. Thank you.

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Answer 3

sanjampet

Level 5

7,982 points

Aug 8, 2013 7:56 PM in response to Singsweetkt

If you do not have this install disk, this is what you need to update from 10.5 to 10.6.

You can also try booting up holding the OPTION key and see if has a Snow Leopard boot option (maybe a disk partition not in startuo disk) Also disconnect all external, non-essencial devices

Or do the reinstall if you have the correct disk.

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