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What am I doing wrong?

What am I doing wrong? I just purchased Snow Leopard MacOS X to reinstall on my Macbook Pro 15in. I want to erase my hard drive but it's not working. I'm doing the steps as outlined in the manual but when I restart all I get is the grey screen then the apple logo. I've waited for 5 minutes and then had to force quit.

Is there some small step that I'm missing? I apologize in advance if I have posted this inthe wrong forum.

Posted on Feb 24, 2014 11:32 AM

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37 replies

Feb 24, 2014 12:52 PM in response to corvette85lady

I am trying to totally erase my hard drive. ( I want to restore the computer to the factory settings because I'm giving the computer to my brother) I have a Macbook Pro 15in. OS X 10.6.8. I lost the original installation disks, so I ordered Snow Leopard 10.6.3 which I was told would work on my computer. Did I order the wrong version?

Feb 24, 2014 1:01 PM in response to corvette85lady

If you ordered Snow Leopard from the Apple store youhave the correct version.


Put the dvd in the computer and restart while holding the C key down. The computer will boot to the OS DVD. Start the installation process, select the language and continue to the next screen. There select the hard drive on the left, and click the Erase tab.


After that is done quit Disk Utility and continue with the installation. You will have a fresh installation.


You can turn the compouter off when you see the noisy welcome screen. Beyond that point the computer can be restarted and set up by your brother, with his personal information.

Feb 24, 2014 7:52 PM in response to seventy one

If you ordered Snow Leopard from the Apple store youhave the correct version.


Put the dvd in the computer and restart while holding the C key down. The computer will boot to the OS DVD.


Yes, I did order the disk from Apple. I did put the dvd in the computer and held the C key down, but nothing happens, I just get the grey screen wih the apple logo and it doesn't boot to the OS dvd.

Feb 28, 2014 6:36 AM in response to corvette85lady

Would you like to take another crack at this problem before you give up?


There are two options.


• We can try to talk you through some trouble shooting steps. In other words we can continue the process you started 4 days ago. Or,

• You can take the computer to an Apple store and have a genius there take a look at it. There is no charge for that service, but you need to make an appointment.

Feb 28, 2014 7:33 AM in response to corvette85lady

Well. I live in a large town in Southern Ontario. The centre of the universe, as some people here like to think.


To get back to your problem, could you please confirm the current situation, viz. the computer will not boot from the OS 10.6 DVD. Correct?


If yes, try this: Put the disk in the computer and boot while holding the Option key down. If it boots and you see an icon of the disk, use the arrow key on the keyboard to move the cursor so the disk is selected. The hit the Return key.

What am I doing wrong?

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