08-10-2009, 05:01 PM

So my HD crashed and i'm buying a seagate 320gb 7200rpm HDD and installing it myself. However, i went to the mac store and they said that i must boot w/ the original installation disc provided w/ my computer. They said that the installation discs are machine specific down to the week manufactured and that if i booted w/ another disc then then the comp would crash. Is this true? I don't have my original discs and was hoping i could just boot up w/ a friends copy of leopard. I guess i'm a little confused as I thought you could use the install disc on a number of machines (5 i thought). Anyway any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

08-10-2009, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by stoutt

I guess i'm a little confused as I thought you could use the install disc on a number of machines (5 i thought). Anyway any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Machine specific install disks don't work that way. You can install using a machine specific install disk multiple times...but it has to be on the correct model computer.

What you probably need to do (since you don't have your original disks) is purchase a "Universal install" copy of the Mac OS...in other words a copy of 10.5 "Leopard", from the Apple Store.

- Nick

08-10-2009, 05:22 PM

"so long as its the same model". Does that just mean 15'' MBP or is it more specific? Also how many times can you install a "universal install" copy?

08-10-2009, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by stoutt

Also how many times can you install a "universal install" copy?

Legally I think once. But in reality...how high can you count?

As far as the model specific question...15" MBP's have been out since January, 2006...and have gone thru a number of changes.

So for example, if you were trying to use a 2006 15" MBP model specific OS install disk in a 2009 15" MBP...it probably would not work.

- Nick

08-14-2009, 04:17 PM

The two install DVD's are product and model specific, but not down to the week manufactured. Bear in mind if you used a retail version of Leopard, you would then also need to install iLife, as only iTunes, no iPhoto, iMovie etc installs from a retail DVD.