Where to get Install Disk to Restore my iMac?

Question

Level 1

0 points

Where to get Install Disk to Restore my iMac?

I have a 17" iMac Early 2006. MA 199LL/A Model A1173. I want to restore it to original factory settings as if it were new out of the box. I do not have the original Install Disk. I tried to call Apple to ask if they sell them and they want to charge me nearly $20 just to ask them if they still sell them so I can buy them from them. That is just crazy and I can't believe a great company like Apple would do this.

I am not concerned with saving anything. I want to wipe it clean and restore to factory settings. I will then upgrade it to Snow leopard from a Install CD purchased from Apple. Everymac.com tells me that my iMac came with OS X 10.4.4 installed and that the install disk I need is 8G1165. I can't find the disk for sale anywhere. I checked on Ebay and Amazon. The only one I found with this number is for PowerPC. I am told you must use the exact restore disk.

I watched a video that told me how to do the restore without a CD and I tried it, but nothing worked as they said it would. I got to a point each time where it told me to insert the install disk.

I found an alternate to the original install CD on Ebay. This claims it will restore my mac. I'm not sure if it is legit and hate to use anything that is not genuine Apple.

iMac (17-inch Early 2006), Mac OS X (10.6.8), MA199LL/A Model: A1173

Posted on Mar 17, 2014 11:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 17, 2014 11:51 AM in response to dalem7777

You can probably purchase replacement discs from Apple Support:

Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.

To contact product and tech support: Apple - Support - Contact Apple Support.

You can also wipe the drive and just install Snow Leopard from the retail Snow Leopard DVD:

Clean Install of Snow Leopard

Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase

the drive and everything on it.

1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came

with your computer. 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, click on Options button

and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended

(Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply 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.

Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

Also, see What to do before selling or giving away your Mac.

Reply

Answer 2

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:17 PM in response to Kappy

I followed your instructions exactly.It wiped my HD and it created "Untitled 1". Now on the install of OS X Snow Leopard after bout 5 minutes of installing it said an error has occurred - to restart and try installing again. I did so and on the second install it said: the files can't be copied. I restarted again and am waiting to see what happens. Has been going for 5 minutes.

Reply

Answer 3

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:27 PM in response to Kappy

On try number 3 the same message came up: "The Installer could not copy the necessary support files. Click Restart to restart your computer and try installing again."

Reply

Answer 4

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:41 PM in response to Kappy

My screen says "Install Failed, OS X could not be installed on your computer." I don't want to go any further because I don't want to cause any further damage. I have no OS and my situation has become critical. I have assignments to submit for school by midnight and no way to do it.

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 17, 2014 6:15 PM in response to dalem7777

What exactly are you using to make the installation? Is it a retail Snow Leopard installer DVD?

There are two possible explanations: a. the installer disc is defective; and, b. the hard drive is defective or not formatted correctly.

You stated, "It wiped my HD and it created "Untitled 1"." Is this what you saw in Disk Utility after running it while in the installer? In this case did you partition the drive then format it? Did you format it Mac OS Extended, Journaled?

If you've done it all correctly, the I can only suggest you try again. Sometimes the statement, "The installer could not copy the necessary support files," means the installer disc is defective. Be sure to clean it first with a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol in circular motion starting from the innermost part of the DVD and working outwards in concentric circles. Look at the disc in a good light to be sure it's free of fingerprints, smudges, dirt, and scratches.

Reply

Answer 6

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 6:58 PM in response to Kappy

It is a new Snow Leopard Installer DVD. I purchased it directly from Apple Store.

I clicked on partition and set it at 1.

I selected GUID and clicked OK

and then set the format type to

Mac OS Extended Journaled.

When the process was complete I saw "Untitled 1" in the list at the left.

After it completed the process and went the installer my only choice to install

Snow leopard was "Untitled 1" I assume this means yes I did see "Untitled 1"

in Disk Utility.

Now it just keeps telling me to restart and try the install again. I would like

to try the other suggestions you mentioned by it will not allow me to eject the

DVD from the drive.It will not come out.

Reply

Answer 7

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 7:11 PM in response to Kappy

I restarted the Installer a 4th time to try to eject the DVD and now the gear under the Apple Logo on a gray screen just keeps spinning. That is all I get.

Reply

Answer 8

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 17, 2014 7:13 PM in response to dalem7777

You don't need it to come out if you want to try again. Just reboot the computer and hold down the 'C' key until it starts up from the DVD.

If you shutdown the computer the disc should eject on its own.

Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive

Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:

1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the

left mouse button until the disc ejects.

2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.

3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.

4. Press COMMAND-E.

5. If none of the above work try this: Open the Terminal application in

your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:

/usr/bin/drutil eject

If this fails then try this:

Boot the computer into Single-user Mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

Reply

Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 17, 2014 7:22 PM in response to dalem7777

It's possible the DVD is bad or your hard drive has failed.

Reply

Answer 10

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 7:30 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you! Got it out. It had a few finger prints on the CD. I cleaned it as you said. Now trying the install once more.

Reply

Answer 11

dalem7777 Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 17, 2014 8:19 PM in response to dalem7777

It worked! Thank you so very much! People like you make the world a better place. Your knowledge and patience are a credit. It is now setting up as a new Mac right now. I can't thank you enough. I can now install my software for school and get my papers submitted on time tonight. Thank you!

My Best!

Dale

Reply

Answer 12

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Mar 17, 2014 8:21 PM in response to dalem7777

Happy to have been able to help.

Reply