Lost system disks for OS 10.6.8. Need to erase and restore.

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Level 1

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Lost system disks for OS 10.6.8. Need to erase and restore.

I'm trying to help my friend preserve his ancient Macbook (from 2007, I think). He's got some old files he is trying to convert from this machine before it's put out to pasture.

We're in a situation of needing to erase and restore, but he doesn't have the original system disks. The machine is running 10.6.8 currently. I found places like cnet that said we can download the software, but wanted to ask for any tips before we launch in. If you've done similar things and have advice, I'd be very grateful.

Some may suggest moving him to a newer OS. That may be possible later, but for him to get at these old files I don't think we can go up past 10.8 even if it's legal to do so.

Thanks very much!

Posted on Mar 30, 2016 1:01 PM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Apr 14, 2016 8:43 AM in response to Larry Israel

If you are using disks that shipped with your computer, they will not work with another computer. They are machine specific. Buy a new Snow Leopard disk from the Apple Store and use that. Make sure you do a backup before doing anything.

Snow Leopard Purchase

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Answer 2

Mar 30, 2016 1:16 PM in response to Larry Israel

Even if you erase the disk, the only way to restore those files is to restore from a back up.

A 2007 MacBook doesn't even meet the requirements for v10.8 Mountain Lion > OS X Mountain Lion system requirements

Avoid downloading anything from Cnet. That's a good way to invite malware.

On the positive side, you can purchase a Snow Leopard disc from the Apple Store here.

message edited by: CS

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Answer 3

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Mar 30, 2016 2:26 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thank you, Carolyn, I thought cnet was a good site. I appreciate the warning.

So, I found my old 10.6 install disks. However, I get this message:

"Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer. If you want to restore your system from a Time Machine backup, click 'Restore from Backup'."

As mentioned, this computer is already running 10.6.8, so I don't know what the problem would be.

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Answer 4

Larry Israel Author

Level 1

87 points

Mar 31, 2016 9:48 AM in response to Eric Root

Hi Eric,

I'm guessing this is just 10.6, since it shipped with an old computer. Then the updates were installed via internet. However, normally I'd be able to use this disk to get to the screen where I could use Disk Utility. Right? It should boot from the OS on the disk, and then allow me to check the drive or erase the drive using Disk Utility.

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Apr 1, 2016 8:35 AM in response to Larry Israel

However, normally I'd be able to use this disk to get to the screen where I could use Disk Utility. Right? It should boot from the OS on the disk, and then allow me to check the drive or erase the drive using Disk Utility.

It should do that. Are you able to access Disk Utility in the Utilities menu?

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Answer 6

Eric Root

Level 10

685,293 points

Mar 31, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Larry Israel

What version of 10.6 are the install disks? Since the computer is running 10.6.8, you can't install an earlier version of 10.6 without erasing the hard drive.

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