I can't install Snow Leopard on my MacBook.

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Level 1

4 points

I can't install Snow Leopard on my MacBook.

I have a MacBook (I think that it's 2007). It was running Snow Leopard, but then I decided to re-install OS X. I took my (official) OS X 10.6 install DVD and copied the contents to a USB flash drive using Disk Utility on my MacBook Pro (different computer), since the disk drive is broken on the MacBook. I booted the MacBook from the flash drive, then in the Install OS X screen I went to Utilities in the menu, then Disk Utility. I erased Macintosh HD, and when it was fully erased I went back to the Install OS X screen. I clicked Install, but then it said "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer," and gave me the option to restart my computer or restore from a backup. Can someone please provide an explanation, or even better a solution to this? (By the way, I know that the MacBook is compatible with 10.6 Snow Leopard because I was running it before I wiped my hard drive, and I know that the USB isn't the problem because I was able to install 10.5 Leopard on it from the same USB a while ago).

Posted on Apr 28, 2016 6:33 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,265 points

Apr 28, 2016 10:05 PM in response to Xi14

Several items and a few things I do not understand.

Simply copying an installer disc to a flash drive will not make it bootable. Did you use some special process?

Which installer disc? Was this a gray colored disc that came with a different model computer and will only install on that model?

I am not sure about Snow Leopard but some computers which came with a given main version of OSX require a higher sub-version of OSX than provided on the retail disc. A 2007 Mac would have come with something earlier than Snow Leopard and the retail disc should work but you are not certain about the model Mac or the disc itself.

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

83,095 points

Apr 29, 2016 5:18 AM in response to Xi14

The only 10.6 original disc that will run on your Mac is given on my tip here: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2455 Although if you cloned the contents of the other Mac, and it was running Snow Leopard, that should work, if you clone to your new Mac.

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