OS X install failing with "Input/output error"

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OS X install failing with "Input/output error"

I have a MacBook from Mid 2007 and I cannot re-install OS X on it using an OS X 10.6.3 DVD.

At the beginning of July, I replaced the hard drive with a Samsung 840 120 GB SSD. I used the same DVD to install OS X in July. A few days ago, I rebooted and got a flashing folder with a question mark. I tried repairing the drive, but Disk Utility said it could not be repaired. I would have to re-install OS X. Today, I tried erased and repartitioned the drive. Now, OS X re-installation is failing.

The wizard says "Installation Failed. Mac OS X could not be installed on your computer. The Installer could not copy the necessary support files. Click Restart to restart your computer and try installing again." I've tried twice.

The end of the installer log says:

OSInstaller[139]: Retrieved package com.apple.pkg.AdditionalEssentials

OSInstaller[139]: reading from /System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg: Input/output error

OSInstaller[139]: error processing data: Input/output error

OSInstaller[139]: Retrying file://localhost/System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg after 1 failure(s)

OSInstaller[139]: reading from /System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg: Input/output error

OSInstaller[139]: error processing data: Input/output error

OSInstaller[139]: Retrying file://localhost/System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg after 2 failure(s)

OSInstaller[139]: reading from /System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg: Input/output error

OSInstaller[139]: error processing data: Input/output error

OSInstaller[139]: Failed to retrieve file file://localhost/System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg (Error Domain=NSPOSIXErrorDomain Code=5 UserInfo=0x128830e40 "The operation couldn't be completed. Input/output error")

OSInstaller[139]: Failed to download package from file file://localhost/System/Installation/Packages/BaseSystem.pkg and no alternate source.

OSInstaller[139]: Install failed: The Installer could not copy the necessary files.

OSInstaller[139]: Allowing machine sleep.

OSInstaller[139]: Memory statistics from 'Install Failed' pane:

OSInstaller[139]: Physical Memory Allocation: 446 MB wired, 4 MB trapped, 80 MB active, 1329 MB inactive, 189 MB free 1598 MB unusable, 2048 MB total

What do you think the issue is? How can I successfully install OS X?

MacBook (13-inch Mid 2007), Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Aug 25, 2013 5:51 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Aug 25, 2013 5:56 PM in response to burkemw3

Did you do it this way:

Clean Install of Snow Leopard

1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc. Insert the disc into the

optical drive and restart the computer. After the chime press and hold down the

"C" key. Release the key when you see a small spinning gear appear below the

dark gray Apple logo.

2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue

button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.

After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive

size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of

partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, set the format type to Mac

OS Extended (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Partition button.

3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed

with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.

4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup

Assistant. Be sure you configure your initial admin account with the exact same

username and password that you used on your old drive. After you finish Setup

Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh

install of OS X. You can now begin the update process by opening Software

Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your installation current.

Note, if the disk drive does not appear in the DU sidebar, then it has failed. If the SSD appears but no longer shows the correct size, then the SSD has failed. If the drive appears but cannot be erased because of I/O errors, then the drive has failed.

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Answer 2

burkemw3 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2013 6:18 PM in response to Kappy

The drive appears in the Disk Utility app with the full size reported.

Re-installing after re-partitioning still fails.

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Answer 3

burkemw3 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 25, 2013 8:15 PM in response to burkemw3

I tried, and tried again, and resolved my issue. I was able to install OS X. I did not do anything different, so I am not sure what changed that made it successful.

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