Q: Mac OS X cannot start up from my HD

I have been getting the grey screen (it actually looks like just the back lighting is working on my iMac) after start up. So I repaired the disk, repaired permissions in utilities, then reinstalled mavericks. Still get the grey screen (have had problems after installing Mavericks the first time). So I was trying to reinstall Snow Leopard from my original disk that came with my computer but when I try to install it tells me 'MacOS X cannot start up from this disk', but it's my HD. What can I do to reinstall?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Install Mavericks from Snow Leopard

Posted on Jun 1, 2014 11:42 AM

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Q: Mac OS X cannot start up from my HD

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by babowa,

babowa Jun 1, 2014 3:14 PM in response to Sesois
Level 7 (32,357 points)

iPad

Jun 1, 2014 3:14 PM in response to Sesois

If your computer had the firmware update to allow Internet Recovery installed, then you can no longer install Snow Leopard (the firmware prevents it). I ran into this same problem a couple of weeks ago testing different scenarios. However, my SL external clone worked fine and booted up the iMac.

You can try to install the Snow Leopard onto an external drive and then boot from that, wipe your internal, and clone the SL back. However, you'd lose everything on your disk, so make sure you have a backup of all your files.
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by Eric Root,

Eric Root Jun 2, 2014 1:59 PM in response to Sesois
Level 9 (74,172 points)

iTunes

Jun 2, 2014 1:59 PM in response to Sesois

Startup - Gray, Blue or White screen at boot, w/spinner/progress bar

Startup - Gray Screen

Startup Issues - Resolve

Startup Issues - Resolve (2)
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Q: Mac OS X cannot start up from my HD

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by babowa,

by Eric Root,

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