Installed new hard drive, but now cannot get OS X 10.5 to install?

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Level 1

8 points

Installed new hard drive, but now cannot get OS X 10.5 to install?

Hi everyone,

I seem to have gotten myself into what is probably a very stupid position, so fair warning on what you're about to read.

I have a Macbook Pro 17-inch, early 2011, 8 GB Ram, 2.2 Quad-core, Model A1297. The original hard drive (750 GB Toshiba MK7559GSXF) started warning me of S.M.A.R.T failures and gave me just enough time to move my data off the laptop. I bought a Western Digital Bare Drive 500 GB (this guy) and swapped the two out. At this point, my original hard drive was completely dead and it's completely my fault for not catching it earlier (btw I could both verify and repair the failing disk, but the SMART status was failing so it would not allow me to do much more than that).

Once I installed the new hard drive, I erased/restored the new drive using DU and then tried two different things that have both failed:

Went to the next steps without partitioning the new drive
Went to the next steps after partitioning the new drive once using the format of Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Picture.

Then I tried to install Mac OS X two different ways that have both failed:

Tried to "Reinstall Mac OS X" through the online option (accessed through command + option + R on bootup), however this failed and I realized that it probably failed because my macbook shipped with Leopard and it was trying to install Lion. Tried it anyway and got variation of "this option is not available at this time" error.
Tried to reinstall the OS using a DVD. This Macbook came with the DVD for Mac OS X Leopard Version 10.5.1 System build 9B21. I inserted the DVD and then restarted the laptop holding down the option button. When I watched videos online of other people doing this, they always got at least two different 'icons' so to speak when they did this (around minute 3:13 of this video for example): the hard drive and the Mac OS X Install DVD icon (picture). I only got the install DVD icon. When I went ahead and clicked the arrow to install the OS, the DVD spins for a few seconds and then the laptop freezes (can't move mouse, no discernible sounds that anything is happening)

At this point, I know I've screwed up repeatedly, but I don't know how to fix it. Any ideas?

Posted on Dec 2, 2014 6:30 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

lebgurl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 4, 2014 7:02 PM in response to BDAqua

Hi BDAqua,

Thank you for replying. I'm not sure I understand what you are asking though. Are you asking if the harddrive is detected by disk utility? If so, then yes it is (see here).

I didn't know that option/alt boot would only show drives with the OS installed, that explains why I cannot see my drive. Unfortunately, I don't know how to install the OS as every set of directions I've come across has not worked for me. Would you happen to have ideas?

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Dec 3, 2014 10:35 AM in response to lebgurl

Hello,

Not sure what you used to Format it in the 1st place!?

Once booted from the 10.5.1 Install Disc, try reformatting the drive again, does it show in Disk Utility from the Install Disc??

When I watched videos online of other people doing this, they always got at least two different 'icons' so to speak when they did this (around minute 3:13 of this video for example): the hard drive and the Mac OS X Install DVD icon (picture). I only got the install DVD icon.

Didn't watch the video on my slow connection, but option/alt boot would only show Drives/CDs/DVDs with OSX already installed on them. 🙂

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Dec 6, 2014 11:40 AM in response to lebgurl

Hold alt key or c key with the Install Disc inserted... what exactly happens when it boots up?

OOPs, just reread...

When I went ahead and clicked the arrow to install the OS, the DVD spins for a few seconds and then the laptop freezes (can't move mouse, no discernible sounds that anything is happening)

Seems either a bad Install Disc, bad HD, or RAM/Memory problem.

Try reformatting the Hard drive with a Zero Out Data, Erase, one pass.

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Answer 4

mns579

Level 4

1,170 points

Dec 6, 2014 1:49 PM in response to lebgurl

There are some inconsistencies with the specifications in your first post. That particular MBP ("Macbook Pro 17-inch, early 2011, 8 GB Ram, 2.2 Quad-core, Model A1297") shipped with either OS 10.6.6 or 10.6.7. It couldn't have shipped with discs for 10.5.7. Thus, your first step is to find the correct discs that came with that MBP.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Dec 6, 2014 3:29 PM in response to mns579

Ah, great catch! 🙂

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Answer 6

lebgurl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 7, 2014 1:43 PM in response to mns579

Ah! Thank you so much! I have two different macbooks, and the 10.5 DVD must be from the older one. I have on follow up question since I'm about to buy the OS DVD: does the install DVD have to be the exact one the macbook shipped with (10.6) or can it be the newest one available in the apple store (10.8)?

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Answer 7

mns579

Level 4

1,170 points

Dec 7, 2014 2:06 PM in response to lebgurl

The retail Snow Leopard DVD is 10.6.3. It probably won't boot your MBP. (There are many reports that the retail 10.6.3 disc won't boot many machines originally released with 10.6.4-10.6.8.) Instead of buying the retail SL, call Apple to see if you can get a replacement set of discs for that MBP. These discs will have both the OS and all the bundled software that was on the machine as it came from the factory. The replacement discs are around $20-$30--about the same as for the retail SL--and they'll certainly work if Apple supplies them.

Second topic. The latest OS is Yosemite, 10.10, You can't get earlier OSes (10.7., 10.8. 10.9) online unless you originally purchased or downloaded them when they were available. That is, your only upgrade path will be from 10.6 to 10.10.

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Answer 8

Dec 7, 2014 2:25 PM in response to lebgurl

If you don't have the install discs:

Have you tried boot into internet recovery? Command-Option-R

You need to be connected to the internet, preferably with an ethernet cable.

Supposed to work on 2011 or later. Maybe 2010 that were bought in 2011 (?)

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Answer 9

lebgurl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 7, 2014 2:38 PM in response to Bob R Oregon

I tried that and kept getting "not available at this time" or some variant thereof. 😟

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Answer 10

lebgurl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 7, 2014 2:39 PM in response to mns579

I actually ended up just going to the apple store, and it turns out they can do the install for free at the store (didn't know that). My appointment is tomorrow, but for the sake of records and legacy I will update this thread with what I find out tomorrow.

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Answer 11

lebgurl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 8, 2014 4:41 PM in response to lebgurl

I went to the Apple Store today, and they just hooked me up to their OS server and installed 10.8.5 for me. My AppleCare had long expired, but they charged nothing for the service and it took maybe 15 minutes?

Thank you all for your help! I hope my answer can help someone as well.

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Answer 12

BDAqua

Level 10

239,213 points

Dec 8, 2014 4:48 PM in response to lebgurl

Great to hear, thanks for the report! 🙂

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