I have a iMac A1311 that has no HDD, so I have a Windows HDD and OS X 10.6.1 disks. Can I use my PC to format the HDD and install the OS X on the HDD using my PC? iMac will not boot up cuz no HDD
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.1)
Unfortunately, you cannot. You will need to install a hard drive in the Mac - you cannot install or run Mac OS on a Windows machine (or anything other than Mac hardware).
Additionally, if that one is from late 2011, you most likely cannot install 10.6.x as it probably came with 10.7 Lion (depending on when it was released/purchased). Macs cannot boot from an OS older than what they came with. If it did come with Lion, you could install a hard drive and then use recovery to format and install the original OS on it (if you've downloaded/purchased it previously with your Apple ID).
The iMac is from 2009 and because it had no HDD, I tried to use a formatted Windows HDD and it comes up with a flashing ? and a face on a folder. I researched that and it's due to no HDD/OS X. Someone told me, the problem is I have to wipe the HDD totally, so it doesn't have any signs of Windows. Then install the OS X on it, but I don't have a working Mac, just Windows PC. Is that right information?
Thanks,
Bobby
Inesrt the 10.6 disc and restart your iMac while holding the C key. Select your language and at the next screen choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Partition the drive as one using the GUID partition scheme and format as Mac OS Extended Journaled. Quit Disk Utility and install OS X.
For some reason, the DVD drive is not accepting the disks. If I push the power button quickly it boots to a black screen, but if I hold the power button down awhile it boots to the white screen with the flashing face/? On a folder, which is due to no HDD/OS X. So I can't load the disks to start it up. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Bobby
Insert the DVD and reboot holding down the option key on the keyboard
as soon as you hear the chime. After a moment, the DVD should appear
on the screen. You should be able to select it and boot from it.
If that works, then you should find yourself a USB-to-SATA adapter. If the drive
is a 3.5" drive, the adapter will need powering capability as USB ports cannot provide
sufficient power.
The other option is to find an enclosure that supports Firewire800 and put the drive
in it. This is preferred to USB as it will be faster that your USB2.0 ports.
Once you do either of the above, connect it to the iMac and Reboot via the
DVD as stated initially. Select Disk Utility and partition the drive in a GUID format.
After that, install OS X to that drive.
If you cannot boot from the DVD as stated, then you iMac is likely borked and
you will need to either repair it or replace it.
The DVD drive will not physically accept the disks. This is a iMac so the disks load into the right side of the monitor and for some reason, when I try to push the disk in, it will not suck it into the DVD drive. I try to push the disk in and it will not go in. Have you ever hear of this happening before?
I Did get the DVD drive to accept the OS X 10.6.1 installation disc, but it keeps booting to the ?/face over the folder
iMac A1311 not booting, due to no HDD
