How can i install software on a blank drive for a 17" iMac 2006

Question

How can i install software on a blank drive for a 17" iMac 2006

I have a 17" iMac Core duo 2.0 late 2006 Model A1208 (EMC2114)

The hard drive failed so I replaced it with a Seagate 320GB Firmware RP13

I also upgraded the RAM to 4 GB DDR 665 2 years ago.

In the diagnostic window of disk utility,I checked all components, optical drive, ram etc, all looks fine.

Every time that I try to install the software OSX 10.5 all it says; Mac OSX can't install software on this computer

Then I go into disk utility formatted the drive, I tried Fat32 and Mac journaled

In either cases all I get is the disk utility option.

I tried installing 10.3 or 10.4 but with both of them it won't ever read the DVDs

I went over this loop over a dozed times, I also tried the option key or command in fact all of the options that I could fine online, none of them gave me different results.

I don't have the original disks that came with the computer as it was given to me.

Thanks in advance

Posted on Jan 16, 2016 5:23 AM

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Answer 1

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Jan 16, 2016 6:39 PM in response to Malcome Larcens

If you're using gray install discs from another computer it won't work. You shoukd probably get a retail Snow Leopard disc http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

You need to use Disk Utility to partition as 1 partition using the GUID partition scheme and format as Mac OS Extended Journaled. Then install OS X and update using Software Update.

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Answer 2

Jan 16, 2016 4:07 PM in response to SeaPapp

Hi Mike

Thanks for the quick reply.

Here is more info on the disk, I double checked to be sure it was properly formatted.

It is currently as one partition called disk0s1 and Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

I was able to do this with the utility part of the 10.5 gray disk from a newer iMac.

I also checked on the Every Mac web site for more details, you can see it here

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.16-17-inch-sp ecs.html

According to this site, which I have used before to upgrade other iMacs the initial OSX was 10.4.7

and it can go up to 10.7.5.

So the disk that I have is well within this range and should work.

I tried a few more times with the new hard drive format that you recommended, still the same results.

So I wonder why OSX 10.6 would be any different.

After making these changes I ended up where I started Mac OSX can't be installed on this computer.

Thanks again

Malcome

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

93,710 points

Jan 16, 2016 6:38 PM in response to Malcome Larcens

The HDD is still partitioned Master Boot Record instead of GUID Partition Map.

1. Boot from your install DVD or Bootable Clone and open Disk Utility.

2. Highlight the new HD in the list of drives and select the Partition tab.

3. Under Volume Scheme select 1 Partition and click on the Options... button.

4. Select GUID Partition Table in the drop down window and click OK.

5. Set the Format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and click the Apply button.

6. Once thats done, then you can do a clean Install, Restore from TM or a Bootable Clone.

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Answer 4

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Jan 16, 2016 4:34 PM in response to Malcome Larcens

Re-read the first sentence in my above post. If you're using gray install discs from another mac it will not work. Not to mention the partition scheme is wrong as noted above.

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

93,710 points

Jan 16, 2016 4:54 PM in response to SeaPapp

Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that far back, Disk Utility has changed so much.

yuck yuck Curly' luckily I made up and saved that 6 step boiler plate way back in Nov of 2010.

😉

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Answer 6

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Jan 16, 2016 5:32 PM in response to den.thed

My response wasn't meant towards you. Your instructions are fine, perfect in fact, but he's using an install disc from a different model and we both know that won't work.

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Answer 7

Jan 16, 2016 6:38 PM in response to SeaPapp

Hi again

Thanks for both of your answers, I tried den.thed method and the same results, I come back to the Mac OSX can't install...

Mike are you saying that only a DVD from that model iMac will work?

I also have a 10.4 version with the big black X on the front, with that disk nothing happens

I tried 10.3 also nothing happens.

Thanks again

Malcome

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Answer 8

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Jan 16, 2016 7:14 PM in response to Malcome Larcens

Macs will not install or boot a system older than what they shipped with. They will also not install system software from factory discs made for a different model. The 10.4 disc you have is a retail disc, but it's older than the original 10.4.7 that you mentioned so it won't work.Obviously 10.3 is out of the question. As I mentioned earlier you need a retail Snow Leopard disc that will cost you $20. Once you have that you can follow den.thed's instructions to install and restore.

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Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

93,710 points

Jan 16, 2016 7:21 PM in response to SeaPapp

Mike I know. Sorry it was a feeble attempt on my part at making conversation and light of your avatar.

I also think that you are totally correct about the Install Disc's.

Malcome, the original Install Disc set for a Late 2006 would have been OS X 10.4.7 (8K1106)

see > http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.16-17-inch-sp ecs.html

If you do not have that original disc set, then you will need either an OS X 10.5 or 10.6 Upgrade DVD.

Likewise because the more expensive 10.5 Upgrade Leopard DVD is no longer available from Apple. Your best bet is indeed the 10.6 Snow Leopard Upgrade DVD that Mike posted in his first reply.

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Answer 10

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Jan 16, 2016 8:35 PM in response to den.thed

den.thed wrote:

Mike I know. Sorry it was a feeble attempt on my part at making conversation and light of your avatar.

Nyuk nyuk nyuk.....

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Answer 11

den.thed

Level 10

93,710 points

Jan 16, 2016 9:57 PM in response to SeaPapp

😉 Curly was always my favorite Stooge.

I'll never forget the time the grandkids started arguing over which lame cartoons they were going to watch. So wittingly, I turned off the cartoons and turned on the Three Stooges. At first they started complaining, said that I was a big meany and threatened to hold their breath. Funnest thing was, it didn't take long for them to tune in and start in with the role acting. As expected, some of the role acting didn't set to well with their grandma. But in the end, everyone had a great afternoon and papa didn't have to watch a bunch of lame kiddy cartoons.

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Answer 12

Jan 20, 2016 6:28 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks Mike and den.thed

You were a great help, after much digging we finally found the original disk.

Still when I tried it at first, it gave me the same message, can't install on this computer.

I tried that a few times, then tried restore from backup, I don't have any back ups.

When I returned to the original screen the continue button was available, I clicked it and the process started.

However to my disappointment OSX 10.5 is rather useless today, I can't use iTunes, YouTube, and limited to Firefox 16, the current version is 43.

So I installed Windows 7 with bootcamp. After many updates I see the Windows 10 upgrade sing pop up.

For future reference, what is the difference between the gray DVDs and the X DVDs?

Thanks again

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Answer 13

SeaPapp

Level 7

26,492 points

Jan 20, 2016 2:07 PM in response to Malcome Larcens

Gray system DVD's are machine specific, you can use the DVD from a 2007 iMac on another 2007 iMac that is the exact model but not on a 2007 Macbook. The DVD's with the OS version icon like the big X or the Snow Leopard are retail discs and can be installed on any Mac that shipped with that specific version or one that is older. Macs will not boot a version of OS X that is older than their original. You should buy a retail Snow Leopard disc for $20. Running windows as the only OS on a mac is sacrilegious.

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Answer 14

den.thed

Level 10

93,710 points

Jan 22, 2016 5:38 AM in response to Malcome Larcens

Glad to hear that you were at least able to finally reinstall OS X.

If you upgraded to 10.6 using a Retail Snow Leopard 10.6 DVD and updated it to 10.6.8, you would at least have access to the App Store and some slightly newer App versions.

To do that,

you need a > http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

and then update it with the > Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1

The real dilemma here is, is it really worth spending $20 on an older iMac this late in the game...?

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