installing snow leopard from install disk to new hard drive

[zekec17]

I just installed a new hard drive to my mid 2010 unibody macbook. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get the installation disk to boot up the new hard drive. I hold down the option key and I either get the flashing question mark file icon or a screen that says "choose network" with a disk above it. The installation disk seems to make a weird noise as well: a lower pitched bzzzzz type sound with a slightly higher pitched bzzzzzz sound following immediately after for a little bit longer, repeating. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for the help!

 

[pigoo3]

Did you format that new hard drive for use in a Macintosh computer??

- Nick

 

[zekec17]

I did not. It's a western digital 320 gig sata. I didn't know I had to format it. Is there an easy way to do that or do I need to go to a repair shop?

 

[zekec17]

My old hard drive died so I can't format from disk utility, or a least not that I know of.

 

[pigoo3]

My old hard drive died so I can't format from disk utility, or a least not that I know of.

You need to boot your computer with your Snow Leopard install disk. Then (move the mouse pointer up to where the drop down menus would normally be, and the menus will appear).

Launch "Disk Utility"...then format the HD (Mac OS Extended Journaled).

- Nick