HT203322: If you can't install OS X on a Time Machine backup disk

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ProfSJS

Q: Cannot Install Mac OSX Snow Leopard on MacBook 10.5.8 because Mac Hard Drive has Time Machine on It?

I have an old MacBook (2006?) with OS 10.5.8 that I would like to upgrade to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which I have on DVD. When asked to select what disk I would like to install the upgrade to, my only option is the Mac Hard Drive icon with a big yellow triangle/exclamation point saying I cannot install there because I am running Time Machine on that disk.

 

I have run searches using "Find" for any vestige of Time Machine left on my computer. I have deleted the icon from my dock. I have tried to run disk utility to delete just the Time Machine but can't target just that. I have rebooted after each of these steps. Nothing changes.

 

It is Kafka-esque because I need to upgrade my OS so that I can upgrade my browser so I can read the question section of apple.com related to upgrading to Snow Leopard.

 

Thanks for any help you can give.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), iPhone 5, iMac

Posted on Jan 12, 2015 12:44 PM

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Q: Cannot Install Mac OSX Snow Leopard on MacBook 10.5.8 because Mac Hard Drive has Time Machine on It?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by kaz-k,

    kaz-k kaz-k Jan 12, 2015 1:51 PM in response to ProfSJS
    Level 5 (5,850 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 12, 2015 1:51 PM in response to ProfSJS

    Just wonder if Time Machine is stopped.

    1) get external drive

    2) make clone with Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! or Disk Utility on external drive.

    3) boot from Snow Leopard DVD

    4) delete Time Machine partition and format internal drive with Disk Utility.

    5) install Snow Leopard on internal drive.

    6) migrate data from external clone drive by Migration Assistant.

    7) format external drive for Time Machine.

  • by ProfSJS,

    ProfSJS ProfSJS Jan 19, 2015 11:38 PM in response to ProfSJS
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2015 11:38 PM in response to ProfSJS

    Whoa, thanks, kaz-k! But that sounds fancy and a little beyond me. I lost you at "get external drive."   Seriously, I don't know how to make a clone nor migrate data nor format an external drive for Time Machine, and taking the time to learn could kill hours for me. And I'm in a particularly tight time crunch at work right now. Thanks so much for trying to help, though. I genuinely appreciate the response.

  • by seventy one,Helpful

    seventy one seventy one Jan 20, 2015 12:46 AM in response to ProfSJS
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 20, 2015 12:46 AM in response to ProfSJS

    You have little alternative if you want to solve the problem except perhaps to take the machine into your local Apple retailer and get them to do it.

     

    If you do get this done or buy a new machine, be sure to get an external drive for Time Machine.  To set up Time Machine on the machine's drive defeats half the objective for if your hard drive fails, you lose all your Time Machine details too.

  • by ProfSJS,

    ProfSJS ProfSJS Jan 20, 2015 12:54 AM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 20, 2015 12:54 AM in response to seventy one

    Thanks, seventy one. I do have everything backed up everything to an external hard drive, plus the most important stuff also on Dropbox. Given the age of this laptop, and given that I've been the sole owner and almost the sole user, I'm mystified as to why/how Time Machine is on my internal hard drive. I agree with you that it would defeat its purpose to back up files to the computer they're already on! It reminds me of the time a friend of mine put a bucket under his sink because there was a big leak in the pipe that was splashing into the cupboard. When the bucket was full, he took it out from under the sink and poured it down the sink to empty it. Ooops. Using Time Machine to back up files on the same computer it's installed on feels the same to me.

     

    It's interesting because I've found versions of my question posted by many other users, but I can't find an adequate response. Mostly, there are responses that don't directly address the problem, which in turn are rated by the petitioners as 50% or so helpful.

     

    I'm not sure what I'll do beyond searching a little more on the web and sleeping on it. In all seriousness, though, thank you for your help and suggestions. These Apple Help Boards are amazing, in large part owing to people like you who respond to strange plaints like my own.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Jan 20, 2015 1:10 AM in response to ProfSJS
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 20, 2015 1:10 AM in response to ProfSJS

    Yours is not a strange question.   You have a situation; you cannot resolve it yourself: you turn to the forums.   Happy to have helped in part and thank you for the star.

     

    Your profile doesn't hint at where you are located so I cannot recommend a local authorised repair shop but that is definitely the route to take for a speedy resolution.    But.

     

    If everything is backed up (and you are 100% sure) you could simply wipe the hard drive completely, then reinstall only the system using the original discs.   This would clear the Time Machine matter and give you the space you need.

     

    Just a thought.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Jan 20, 2015 10:07 AM in response to ProfSJS
    Level 10 (123,765 points)
    Jan 20, 2015 10:07 AM in response to ProfSJS

    I have run searches using "Find" for any vestige of Time Machine left on my computer.

    Find & Spotlight are pretty worthless for finding hidden stuff, get

    Find Any File...

     

    http://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/

     

     

    Hold Option or alt key when selecting Find to Find All.

     

    Also...

     

    Open Activity Monitor in Applications>Utilities, select All Processes & see if any process shows up for TM