Installing Snow Leopard over Mavericks

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Installing Snow Leopard over Mavericks

I messed up my Mavericks installation by using CleanMyMac, and cannot user software update, download from the App Store, use Preview or a number of different apps. System Restore does not work for some reason, maybe CMM messed that up too.

I am going to reinstall Snow Leopard, then redownload Mavericks. And never use CleanMyMac again!!!

I cannot erase my hard drive, the button is grayed out. Can I just reinstall Snow Leopard over Mavericks - I don't care about backing up any data.

Thanks

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Nov 3, 2014 5:55 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 3, 2014 8:09 AM in response to LianeB

If your iMac came with Snow Leopard, it came with a DVD install disk. Have you tried booting from that (with the DVD in the drive, hold down the C key as you start up)?

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Answer 2

Nov 3, 2014 8:13 AM in response to FatMac-MacPro

Once booted from the install disk as described above you will have to completely erase the hard disk - you cannot just install Snow Leopard over Mavericks. When you have booted, choose 'Disk Utility' from the 'Utilities' menu and use it to erase the disk. Then you can install Snow Leopard.

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Answer 3

LianeB Author

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Nov 3, 2014 9:31 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

My Mac came with Leopard, and I bought Snow Leopard from Apple and upgraded. Is that going to make any difference?

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Answer 4

Nov 3, 2014 9:51 AM in response to LianeB

If you have the Snow Leopard install disks you can proceed as described above. It makes no difference that the Mac came with Leopard (you just can't install a system older than the one the Mac came with). However you will need to erase the disk: you can't install an older system over a newer one.

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