How do I reinstall 10.6 on a MacBook 7,1 that originally came with 10.6.3?

Here is an original grey label install restore DVD media kit from Apple 13-inch MacBook (2010)

with part numbers (the longer correct inventory numbers) that may or may not be exact/correct:

{The reference example site/link below suggests the retail price for the unused DVD kit is $100.}

Notes Disc 1 2Z691-6653-A
Disc 2 2Z691-6654-A

• Apple 13" Macbook (2010) OS X 10.6.3 Install & Application Discs (p/n 1009222)

http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6916653a.html

Sometimes an independent Apple Authorized service provider who may also re-sell

older gear may have a few spare original DVD install media discs; a place to ask, if

there are a few small shops near you whose business is Apple repairs of old models.

The information above may help locate other sources of the correct discs. The last

version on DVD of Snow Leopard for that series MacBook7.1 has a different part #

Apple 13" MacBook (Mid 2010) 10.6.4 & Apps Install Disks (DVD) (p/n 1009170)

Notes Disk 1: 2Z691-6742-A
Disk 2: 2Z691-6773-A

(says not available) though may be backward compatible to earlier MB7.1 build.

Other vendors online (amazon, ebay, etc) sometimes offer system discs but that

could be a gamble if they don't know or don't care enough to know details. I'd try

calling apple main online number; ask to speak to system specialist, for replacement

duplicate software, and have the serial number handy. They may be able to match

a last edition retail Snow Leopard DVD if no grey-label copy. ~ And hope you get lucky.

Good luck in any event...! 🙂

You could contact Apple support or AppleCare directly to order a replacement

original install restore DVD disc set; the version included with that unit is correct.

Original OS Mac OS X 10.6.3 (10D2162)

Later OS Mac OS X 10.6.4 (10F2108), -- or 10.7.2 (11C74)

The MacBook7.1 Mid-2010 of earlier MacBook 2006-2010 series, in last version

shipped with Lion 10.7.2 (perhaps on flash media, as did certain MacBook/Air)

and so that one would be harder to get than Snow Leopard per original DVDs.

A match for replacement if found online, with Grey-Label, should include the

build model information per original MacBook and version on the label; any

reseller who knows Macs may be able to get one for a price.

Introduced May 2010

Discontinued July 2011

Model Identifier MacBook7,1

Model Number A1342

EMC 2395

Order Number MC516LL/A

{The original disc media (install DVD #1) is a bootable installer for that model.

And also has the Apple Hardware Test on a disc; plus other included apps.}

Given the retail install Snow Leopard version usually is 10.6.3, and does not

have any of the additional included software with the System disc, an original

install restore disc kit has all those extras. And is good to keep to include with

the computer when it is sold or given away, etc.

This links to retail Snow Leopard DVD version, not a match for your MacBook7.1:

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

{In the Apple Store, this item says "Sold Out" yet you may be able to order

an original software replacement from Applecare or Support, by phone. An

official duplicate may not be grey-label; it may have white 'official copy' label.}

If Apple could supply you with a later Snow Leopard 10.6.x - newer than anything

your MacBook7.1 would have shipped with - that may work. A standard retail DVD

if only 10.6.3 or 10.6.4 may not be able to work. A retail disc part number is not

the same as the one indicated (from mactracker app) as shown above.

An Apple systems or product specialist could match their reference software for a

match with your MacBook7.1 serial number; so have that ready if you call to order

a replacement install restore disc. They may have a last version retail DVD 10.6

newer than your MacBook shipped with, if so that would not have original extras.

Sorry to not be of much help in this matter.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

You will need the ORIGINAL Snow Leopard OSX install disk that came with the Mac or a duplicate that can be acquired from Apple customer service.

You can install it on an external HDD and run it from there. Or backup your data, erase the HDD, install 10.6, partition the HDD and install 10.8.

Regardless, do run the Snow Leopard combo update after the install;

https://support.apple.com/kb/dl1399?locale=en_US

The Apple retail disk for Snow Leopard should have 10.6.3 so I don't know why that's not working. The best option, however, would be to use the gray restore disk that came with the computer.

How are you trying to install Snow Leopard? Are you trying to install it over the Mountain Lion install, or do you have a blank/erased partition that you're trying to install it on?