imac567

Q: Can I use an iMac install disk on another iMac?

My wife just bought a 2010 iMac (3.06 GHz Intel Core i3), and it's identical to mine, but it didn't come with the 10.6 install disk.

Can she use mine?

I can't seem to find a solid answer.

 

Thank you

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3

Posted on Jan 10, 2015 12:13 PM

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Q: Can I use an iMac install disk on another iMac?

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  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Jan 10, 2015 1:42 PM in response to imac567
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    Jan 10, 2015 1:42 PM in response to imac567

    No.  System DVDs are machine specific.  Your wife needs to get the system DVDs from the place she purchased the comp from.  Older Macs are not to be sold w/o them per Apple's license agreement.


    You can get replacement System Install & Restore CD/DVDs from Apple's Customer Support - in the US, (800) 767-2775 - for a nominal S&H fee. You'll need to have the model and/or serial number of your Mac available.

     

    If you're not in the US, you may need to go through the regional Apple Store that serves your location to find the contact number. Here's a list of links to all of those - http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/intlstoreroutingpage.html Another resource:  International Support Phone #s.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Jan 10, 2015 1:47 PM in response to imac567
    Level 10 (312,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 10, 2015 1:47 PM in response to imac567

    If you can't wait for the replacements to arrive, your disks will work; the two Macs only need to be the same model.

     

    (119912)

  • by imac567,

    imac567 imac567 Jan 10, 2015 1:58 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 10, 2015 1:58 PM in response to Niel

    They are exactly the same model. everymac lists them according to the serial number as having the same original software build even.

    But, when she either puts my disk in to install or tries to erase the hard drive she gets this message: you have installed OS X 23.11

    And it won't go any further.

    What does this mean?

  • by Baby Boomer (USofA),

    Baby Boomer (USofA) Baby Boomer (USofA) Jan 10, 2015 3:11 PM in response to imac567
    Level 9 (57,623 points)
    Jan 10, 2015 3:11 PM in response to imac567

    imac567 wrote:

     

    They are exactly the same model. everymac lists them according to the serial number as having the same original software build even.

    Double check by reading KB Articles:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1758 How to identify iMac models

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159 Mac OS X versions (builds) for computers


    But, when she either puts my disk in to install or tries to erase the hard drive she gets this message: you have installed OS X 23.11

    I have no clue.  Hopefully, Niel or some other very knowledgeable user can supply an answer.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Wave Siggy.gif

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jan 10, 2015 3:14 PM in response to imac567
    Level 10 (312,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 10, 2015 3:14 PM in response to imac567

    It means that you're trying to run the installer when the computer's booted into Mac OS X 10.7 or newer. Restart the computer with the disk in the drive and the C or Option key held down.

     

    (119923)

  • by imac567,

    imac567 imac567 Jan 10, 2015 8:21 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 10, 2015 8:21 PM in response to Niel

    The install disk for my iMac DID work on hers. We've heard (if it's true or not, who knows) that the original disks are model specific and good for 5 installs. Disks purchased sold as "install disks" are unlimited. Obviously if you are running Lion or above you can use the Recovery system to re-install the OS. We messed up doing that (long story) so resorted to using my disk, now we're upgrading to 10.6.8 so we can get to Mavericks.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 10, 2015 8:35 PM in response to imac567
    Level 7 (32,024 points)
    iPad
    Jan 10, 2015 8:35 PM in response to imac567

    We've heard (if it's true or not, who knows) that the original disks are model specific and good for 5 installs. Disks purchased sold as "install disks" are unlimited

     

    Where did you hear that? That is not correct (unless you purchased a family pack license). Here is an excerpt from the Snow Leopard SLA:

     

    Single Use License

    Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, unless you have

    purchased a Family Pack or Upgrade license for the Apple Software, you are granted a limited

    non-exclusive license to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-

    branded computer at a time. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple Software on any non-

    Apple-branded computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple

    Software to exist on more than one computer at a time, and you may not make the Apple

    Software available over a network where it could be used by multiple computers at the same

    time


    from here:


    http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/osx_snow_leopard_sec_upd.pdf

     

    You might be referring to the digital download only OS versions which allow you to download it to as many computers as YOU own and control (does not include others' computers), but any version up to and including Snow leopard had above restrictions.