Remote install Snow Leopard onto Macbook with broken optical drive

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Remote install Snow Leopard onto Macbook with broken optical drive

I'm trying to upgrade an old non-unibody Macbook which is on 10.5.8 to 10.6, but the MB's optical drive is broken. I've been trying to use a working Macbook Pro with 10.6.8 and Remote Install Mac OS X to upgrade the MB. I set up Remote Install and it gets to the step where I reboot the MB with the option key held down, but nothing is showing up besides the main Macintosh HD startup disk. I've tried on both Airport and Eithernet but they both end with the same result. Any help would be appreciated.

Posted on Aug 11, 2013 4:59 PM

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Answer 1

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Aug 11, 2013 5:05 PM in response to quacker403

Buy any external DVD drive that connects by USB port and it will work on any Mac computer.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 11, 2013 5:08 PM in response to quacker403

I think you might have better success connecting the two via Firewire cable and using Target Disk Mode.

Note that if you have Snow Leopard legally installed on your MBP, then copying it to the MB and using it concurrently constitutes a violation of the software license which only permits Snow Leopard be installed on one computer/CPU at a time.

So, technically, we cannot assist you because these forums are the property of and run by Apple.

You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.

After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.

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Answer 3

quacker403 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 11, 2013 5:14 PM in response to Kappy

I'm using a family pack retail Snow Leopard disk.

For the Target Disk Mode option, would I just go through the normal Snow Leopard installer and select the Macbook's hard drive when the option comes up?

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 11, 2013 5:18 PM in response to quacker403

Once connected boot the MB into TDM. Put the Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive then boot the MBP. After the chime press the 'C' key to boot from the Snow Leopard DVD. When you reach the screen to select a target destination, select the disk drive of the MB.

Preferably, erase the MB's drive before installing Snow Leopard.

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