Q: Why am I getting the message, OS X cannot be installed on . . .?

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creativestuff

Level 1 (11 points)

Q: Why am I getting the message, OS X cannot be installed on . . .?

There are no other details. Just the simple message "OS X cannot be installed on . . ."

The only instructions are to reformat my hard drive. That will leave my computer incapacitated for at least an entire working day as it reinstalls everything. And what else will screw up in that process? I'm already in this situation because OS X is disabling features on my lower level OS. I don't know what new problems will be introduced in this OS "Upgrade" but I certainly don't need to lose a days work GUESSING that I need to reformat my main hard drive. Are there any other instructions, anything else I REALLY need to do to get past this blockage?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4), FCS 3

Posted on Dec 17, 2014 10:54 AM

I have this question too

Solved

creativestuff

Level 1 (11 points)

A:

I was at 38 Gb. Since you suggested that was an issue, I deleted a file to take it to 43 gb and yes, now the installer started.

Posted on Dec 17, 2014 11:33 AM

Q: Why am I getting the message, OS X cannot be installed on . . .?

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by stedman1,

stedman1 Dec 17, 2014 10:55 AM in response to creativestuff
Level 9 (73,365 points)

Apple Watch

Dec 17, 2014 10:55 AM in response to creativestuff

Which model of iMac? White polycarbonate case or aluminum?
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by schaafsmaster,

schaafsmaster Dec 17, 2014 11:06 AM in response to creativestuff
Level 1 (90 points)

Dec 17, 2014 11:06 AM in response to creativestuff

Chances are its a version of OS X that's not compatible with your iMac. What OS and what model of iMac? Check here to find out exactly what Mac you own.
Finding the OS X version and build information on your Mac - Apple Support
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by creativestuff,

creativestuff Dec 17, 2014 11:23 AM in response to schaafsmaster
Level 1 (11 points)

Dec 17, 2014 11:23 AM in response to schaafsmaster

As mentioned with the identification of the computer, its the iMac a late 2009, which meets the specifications by 2 years. 2.66 i5 processor 16GB memory
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by Old Toad,

Old Toad Dec 17, 2014 11:30 AM in response to creativestuff
Level 10 (140,928 points)

Photos for Mac

Dec 17, 2014 11:30 AM in response to creativestuff

How much free space do you have on your boot drive? Have you tried installing from the Safe Mode, Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode?
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by Old Toad,

Old Toad Dec 17, 2014 11:42 AM in response to creativestuff
Level 10 (140,928 points)

Photos for Mac

Dec 17, 2014 11:42 AM in response to creativestuff

That's strange because 38 GB should have been more than enough free space. Well, as long as it's installing now we won't look a gift horse in the mouth.
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Accepted Answer · Dec 17, 2014 11:33 AM

creativestuff

Level 1 (11 points)

Dec 17, 2014 11:33 AM in response to Old Toad

I was at 38 Gb. Since you suggested that was an issue, I deleted a file to take it to 43 gb and yes, now the installer started.

Q: Why am I getting the message, OS X cannot be installed on . . .?

All replies Helpful answers

by stedman1,

by schaafsmaster,

by creativestuff,

by Old Toad,

by creativestuff,Solvedanswer

by Old Toad,

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