Mac OS Installation Help Please

[aashish]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum and i have few issues with the MacBook. The problem started this way: the computer was getting slow as anything and it woulld not connect to internet at all, even if it did, all i could open was Google and nothing else from there.

Having this problem for a while, i decided to reisntall the OS again, put in the Grey CD that came with the macbook and tried to do a clean install. It will not let me install, keeps giving me the message, Mac OS 10.5 Cannot be installed

After numerous failed attempt and out of frustration, went to disk utility by booting up from the disk, and formatted the hard drive completely as i already had the back up of all the documents.

After the format i restared the computer and boot from the CD again, same error.

Can anyone please help me with this. I am stuck and cannot install OS on it. Will i be able to find a Mac OS CD anywhere, I am in Melbourne, Australia.

Looked at various threads on different sites and still i have nothing

Any help will be highly appreciated.

thanks
Ash

 

[Buzzard2010]

How did you format the drive? Was it Mac OS Extended Journaled?

- Simon

 

[aashish]

How did you format the drive? Was it Mac OS Extended Journaled?

- Simon

Hi Simon,
Yes it was Mac OS Extended Journaled, started the computer with OS X CD that came along with it (Grey CD) then onto Disk Utility and Erased everything. still it keeps giving me the same error, am i missing something?

 

[chscag]

The only reason I can think of why you can not install OS X on that machine is that the DVD is the wrong one. You can certainly erase and format a hard drive with just about any OS X DVD that will boot the machine. However, since OS X installation DVDs are specific for the hardware (machine) they will not work on a different Mac.

Are you positive that the DVD you're using is the original that came with your machine when you purchased it?

 

[aashish]

The only reason I can think of why you can not install OS X on that machine is that the DVD is the wrong one. You can certainly erase and format a hard drive with just about any OS X DVD that will boot the machine. However, since OS X installation DVDs are specific for the hardware (machine) they will not work on a different Mac.

Are you positive that the DVD you're using is the original that came with your machine when you purchased it?

Yes I am 100% sure that it is the same DVD that i got when i got the computer.

is there a way to get a OS X CD to install or can i use External Hard Drive to Install OS X, The reason why External Hard drive is i cannot eject the CD at all.

 

[chas_m]

If we're talking about your MacBook as listed in your specs, buy a copy of Snow Leopard ($29) and use that.

 

[aashish]

If we're talking about your MacBook as listed in your specs, buy a copy of Snow Leopard ($29) and use that.

I have two MacBooks one already has snow leopard on it as it came with snow leopard, the other one is old and its intel based. I am giving the old mac to my dad so i wanted to erase everything and do a fresh install. Can anyone advise me where i can get OS 10.5 Retail Install DVD if there is any?

I some how managed to get the stuck DVD out by pressing the trackpad when the computer starts, but i am still unable to install anything on it.

The only option i can think is of calling apple and buying a DVD from them. is that possible? i can't see any other options.

any advice?

 

[toMACsh]

Can anyone advise me where i can get OS 10.5 Retail Install DVD if there is any?

At this point, I think eBay is your only hope. Ask to see a photo of the disc!

 

[aashish]

Thanks for all the help guys, I have decided to take the MacBook to Apple Store in the weekend along with the DVD that came along with it and talk to the guys at Genius Bar and see how I go. When i spoke to apple, they advised me to take the MacBook along with the DVD and they will Install free of charge.

I will update on how it goes there.

 

[aashish]

Hi Guys,
Instead of going to Apple Genius Bar, where there was no appointment and the guy who answered the call was rude enough to say no booking, flat out and hung up, I got a copy of Mac OS X Retail DVD from a mate of mine, brought that home and installed a fresh copy. That worked like a charm, I then wanted to know, whats the fuss all about Snow Leopard, went to a reseller store and got a upgrade DVD.

Thanks for all the help and suggestion.

Here is one last question for everyone. I have heard and known that Mac OS Retails DVD can be installed in numerous MacBooks, does this cause to violate the Apple's SLA? I have a friend of mine who downloaded everything from OS to iWorks to iLife from torrent and he is still using those without any problems, is this legal (i don't think so)? What are the long term effects? should this be allowed?

 

[toMACsh]

I got a copy of Mac OS X Retail DVD from a mate of mine, brought that home and installed a fresh copy. That worked like a charm, I then wanted to know, whats the fuss all about Snow Leopard, went to a reseller store and got a upgrade DVD.

Here is one last question for everyone. I have heard and known that Mac OS Retails DVD can be installed in numerous MacBooks, does this cause to violate the Apple's SLA? I have a friend of mine who downloaded everything from OS to iWorks to iLife from torrent and he is still using those without any problems, is this legal (i don't think so)? What are the long term effects? should this be allowed?

Working backwards:
Should it be allowed? Not if Apple wants to make money.
Long term effects? Mostly on your conscience.
Was that legal? Laws against it, people arrested? Not sure. Unethical? Yes.
Violate the SLA? I dunno. It violates the EULA. But so did your use of your friend's disc. However, you bought a SL disc, and that is obviously on the "up and up".

 

[aashish]

However, you bought a SL disc, and that is obviously on the "up and up".

Does this mean that if you go and install from any DVD or from a torrent site and then go and buy an "Upgrade Authentic DVD" you are safe from everything?

I am just curious and installing from my mates DVD was somehow not the best idea and i admit that, I had no other options, getting a DVD from eBay was a choice but was it really, what if the DVD was copied a duplicate disk. also when i thought about buying a Retail DVD, it was some 150 odd Dollars. "Ethics vs Budget vs Every Thing Else"

I feel bad for doing what i did...

 

[6string]

Apart from the legalities, and karma of using pirated software, there is also malware to consider.
See Mac OS X Malware found in pirated Apple iWork 09 | ZDNet

If you want to be completely safe, I would zero out the hard drive and install snow leopard!

 

[toMACsh]

If you want to be completely safe, I would zero out the hard drive and install snow leopard!

Yep. Best thing to do. Lesson learned.