MacBook - How to Install OS X on New Drive

efrain · efrain #1 (**permalink**)

03-19-2009, 11:47 PM

Newbie here. My daughter's Macbook's HD crashed. I purchased a new drive and installed it. It was real simple. I have the Mac OS X Tiger (Includes Xcode 2) Install DVD. Her CD drive is krudded out, it keeps ejecting CD's, etc. I have an external DVD Firewire and USB Drive.

How do I go about reinstall the OS? I tried holdinf down the 'C', 'Control', and 'Shift' key while rebooting, but they all take me to the white screen with a flashing grey folder with a '?' in the middle. Nothing happens, or at least not in the 10 minutes that i have waited for.

I am new to Mac's so this may be a simple process, so I apologize for my lack of Mac Skills.

Assistance is certainly appreciated.

Thanks!

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

03-20-2009, 12:15 AM

Hold down the "Option" key while booting the MacBook. Then choose the external DVD drive which contains the Tiger DVD. As long as her MacBook is an Intel machine it can boot from an external drive attached to either the firewire or usb port.

Regards.

kahlil88 · kahlil88 #3 (**permalink**)

03-20-2009, 02:44 PM

If you haven't already installed the OS, I would also suggest unchecking the extra languages and printer drivers you don't think you'll need. Saves a lot of space.

efrain · efrain #4 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 10:34 AM

I connected the external DVD drive via firewire to the MacBook, placed the DVD in the drive and then pressed and held the Option key and then pressed the power button. It made the nice intro sound and came up with a white/gray screen, and then the mouse pointer. That was it. I can move the mouse pointer around the screen. I do not see any DVD drive activity or anything like that. Is there another step that I am suppose to take or press another key? Or is the MB toast?

I did not do anything to the new drive. I took it out of the packing bag and installed it. That was it. Not sure if I was suppose to 'prep' it or something else.

Thanks to all for your help. This is my first dealing with Mac's.

Efrain

chscag · chscag #5 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 01:58 PM

Hi:

The external DVD drive doesn't necessarily have to show up on the display, however, the Tiger DVD (if you're using the correct DVD - 1) should show up as a bootable device allowing you to select it to boot from.

If nothing bootable shows up on the display, shut down the machine and try this procedure from the Apple KB: Link This will reset the PRAM in the event it's needed.

Now, try booting the machine from the external DVD drive with the Tiger DVD 1 install disk inserted in the drive. If you still can't boot, it may be that the external DVD drive is not compatible. BTW, does that drive also have a USB connection that you can try?

Regards.

efrain · efrain #6 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 04:11 PM

The DVD drive has both Firewire and USB interface. I will try that too.

kahlil88 · kahlil88 #7 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efrain

I connected the external DVD drive via firewire to the MacBook, placed the DVD in the drive and then pressed and held the Option key and then pressed the power button. It made the nice intro sound and came up with a white/gray screen, and then the mouse pointer. That was it. I can move the mouse pointer around the screen. I do not see any DVD drive activity or anything like that. Is there another step that I am suppose to take or press another key? Or is the MB toast?

I did not do anything to the new drive. I took it out of the packing bag and installed it. That was it. Not sure if I was suppose to 'prep' it or something else.

Maybe I'm just crazy and it's my imagination, but I find that Macs are often very picky about when you hold down keys at bootup. Hold down the option key right after the startup sound. You might also try zapping the PRAM, because sometimes the computer is configured to now allow you to boot from external sources as a security measure.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #8 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 05:28 PM

Make sure the Tiger install DVD is the black full retail install version and not a silver grey system restore disc which is designed to work only with the model machine it came with.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #9 (**permalink**)

03-21-2009, 05:35 PM

What Tiger DVD are you using? The one that came with the Mabook or another one?

All the Retail Tiger DVD's that I have both owned and seen in stores said Power PC on the box and would not install on an Intel Mac.

efrain · efrain #10 (**permalink**)

03-23-2009, 10:51 AM

Here are the hardware that we have. Note MacBook is a A1181. The DVD is the only DVD that my daughter found that came with it. It is the grey one that is titled "Mac OS X Tiger, Includes Xcode2, Install DVD, Version is 10.4.6"

It sounds like she is still might need something else. Not sure. I guess I will have to take the hour drive to the nearest Apple store to see about them checking it out.

Any other ideas are appreciated.

dtravis7 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,895 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	03-21-2009, 05:35 PM What Tiger DVD are you using? The one that came with the Mabook or another one? All the Retail Tiger DVD's that I have both owned and seen in stores said Power PC on the box and would not install on an Intel Mac. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Windows Install: Partition vs. New Drive?	pigoo3	Running Windows (or anything else) on your Mac	4	01-24-2009 04:03 PM
Upgrading Hard Drive without install disc. is it possible?	playultimate	Apple Notebooks	5	10-04-2008 07:25 PM
Install Software to Ext. Hard drive?	execute	Other Hardware and Peripherals	1	08-02-2007 12:44 AM
Creating backups and bootable images...	2kx2	Switcher Hangout	4	05-26-2007 08:53 PM
Apple DVD Player install without approved drive (HOW?)	stugotz006	OS X - Apps and Games	2	04-22-2005 11:30 PM

MacBook - How to Install OS X on New Drive

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

efrain #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 06, 2009 Posts: 4	03-19-2009, 11:47 PM Newbie here. My daughter's Macbook's HD crashed. I purchased a new drive and installed it. It was real simple. I have the Mac OS X Tiger (Includes Xcode 2) Install DVD. Her CD drive is krudded out, it keeps ejecting CD's, etc. I have an external DVD Firewire and USB Drive. How do I go about reinstall the OS? I tried holdinf down the 'C', 'Control', and 'Shift' key while rebooting, but they all take me to the white screen with a flashing grey folder with a '?' in the middle. Nothing happens, or at least not in the 10 minutes that i have waited for. I am new to Mac's so this may be a simple process, so I apologize for my lack of Mac Skills. Assistance is certainly appreciated. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,386 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	03-20-2009, 12:15 AM Hold down the "Option" key while booting the MacBook. Then choose the external DVD drive which contains the Tiger DVD. As long as her MacBook is an Intel machine it can boot from an external drive attached to either the firewire or usb port. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

efrain #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 06, 2009 Posts: 4	03-21-2009, 10:34 AM I connected the external DVD drive via firewire to the MacBook, placed the DVD in the drive and then pressed and held the Option key and then pressed the power button. It made the nice intro sound and came up with a white/gray screen, and then the mouse pointer. That was it. I can move the mouse pointer around the screen. I do not see any DVD drive activity or anything like that. Is there another step that I am suppose to take or press another key? Or is the MB toast? I did not do anything to the new drive. I took it out of the packing bag and installed it. That was it. Not sure if I was suppose to 'prep' it or something else. Thanks to all for your help. This is my first dealing with Mac's. Efrain
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,386 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	03-21-2009, 01:58 PM Hi: The external DVD drive doesn't necessarily have to show up on the display, however, the Tiger DVD (if you're using the correct DVD - 1) should show up as a bootable device allowing you to select it to boot from. If nothing bootable shows up on the display, shut down the machine and try this procedure from the Apple KB: Link This will reset the PRAM in the event it's needed. Now, try booting the machine from the external DVD drive with the Tiger DVD 1 install disk inserted in the drive. If you still can't boot, it may be that the external DVD drive is not compatible. BTW, does that drive also have a USB connection that you can try? Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

efrain #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 06, 2009 Posts: 4	03-21-2009, 04:11 PM The DVD drive has both Firewire and USB interface. I will try that too.
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 14,265 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.8.3	03-21-2009, 05:28 PM Make sure the Tiger install DVD is the black full retail install version and not a silver grey system restore disc which is designed to work only with the model machine it came with.
	QUOTE Thanks

efrain #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 06, 2009 Posts: 4	03-23-2009, 10:51 AM Here are the hardware that we have. Note MacBook is a A1181. The DVD is the only DVD that my daughter found that came with it. It is the grey one that is titled "Mac OS X Tiger, Includes Xcode2, Install DVD, Version is 10.4.6" It sounds like she is still might need something else. Not sure. I guess I will have to take the hour drive to the nearest Apple store to see about them checking it out. Any other ideas are appreciated.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)