i lost everything except my applications

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hey everyone, im new to this forum so excuse me if i did anything wrong. But right now im using mac osx 10.4.11 on a regular macbook. Anyway, i was at my friends house and he got a new mac mac book pro. So we decided to use his start up disk in my mac to get 10.5.7 I know this is wrong, but i really wanted it. But the problem was, that his was a macbook pro startup and when i tried booting it, it said it wasnt able to. So i restarted my computer and when it started, i lost EVERYTHING except my applications. Please everyone. I have so many important files and pictures and thousands of dollars of music. HELP!!
 
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If you didn't back things up there's not much to be done.
 

pigoo3

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But right now im using mac osx 10.4.11 on a regular macbook.

Welcome to the forum!

The disk you used from your friends MacBook Pro is a "model specific" startup/reinstall disk meant only for your friends MacBook Pro.

I'm sort of surprised that it actually installed Mac OS 10.5.7...usually if you insert a disk meant for a different model laptop...it just gets rejected.

I think that the solution in this matter is you need to reinstall Mac OS 10.4. Get your Mac OS 10.4 install disk(s)...and do an install.

Hope this helps, please let us know if it was successful,

- Nick
 
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That sounds like a really silly thing to do, especially since you could have just used Software Update on your computer to get the latest version of OS X. Even worse is that you didn't back up your files with Time Machine, which is so easy to use. Maybe you're not ready for the responsibility of owning a Macbook?

Pigoo, will installing the previous version bring all the files back?
 

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That sounds like a really silly thing to do, especially since you could have just used Software Update on your computer to get the latest version of OS X. Even worse is that you didn't back up your files with Time Machine, which is so easy to use. Maybe you're not ready for the responsibility of owning a Macbook?
Software update doesn't update your computer from release to release. It only installs the 10.x.x updates. Also, TM was not included in Tiger. Being inconsiderate isn't going to help.

So, when you restarted the machine, you could boot it? It sounds as if you formatted the machine but that would prevent you from booting.
 

pigoo3

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That sounds like a really silly thing to do, especially since you could have just used Software Update on your computer to get the latest version of OS X.

Pigoo, will installing the previous version bring all the files back?

If I understand correctly what the original poster did...it sounds like the original poster tried to "upgrade" their MacBook's OS from Tiger (10.4.11) to OS 10.5.7 using a friend's MacBook Pro installation disk.

Then after the install...their computer wouldn't boot.

The problem is, the installation disk from the friend's MacBook Pro is probably a "model specific" disk...and should not have been used on a MacBook.

The suggestion of using software update would not have worked...because you cannot update from OS 10.4.11 to OS 10.5.7 via software update...you have to purchase Leopard (Mac OS 10.5).

Regarding my earlier suggestion to reinstall the MacBook's original OS. When you do an install of the OS...it normally DOES NOT overwrite the user's personal files (application's, documents, photos, music, etc.).

The install program looks for enough FREE SPACE to install into...then you get a choice of a "fresh" install where the old OS System folder is removed and a new OS installed, or an "archive" install...where the old OS System Folder is "archived"..and then a new System folder is installed.

The bottom line is...the original poster's files are probably still intact. The original poster simply incorrectly tried installing a newer version of the Mac OS from a DVD that was not made for their model computer, and thus their computer is not able to boot.

A fresh install of the Mac OS from a "universal" install disk...or the installation disk that came with their computer would be the first step to try, and hopefully would correct the problem.

- Nick
 
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I see. It was still silly to try to use someone else's installation disc and not back up files, especially when they know it's wrong, it's not a matter of being inconsiderate. You certainly don't want to encourage or excuse that sort of thing, and I wouldn't call it a smart way of going about it. But at least the files are recoverable and hopefully the OP will learn not to try something like that again.
 

pigoo3

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I see. It was still silly to try to use someone else's installation disc and not back up files, especially when they know it's wrong, it's not a matter of being inconsiderate.

I agree with you that it was not a smart idea using someone else's disk.

The strange thing is usually when you try to use a "model specific" disk in a Macintosh that it was not designed for...usually the computer just "spits out" or ejects the non-compatible disk.

Maybe the "op" will reply...and help clear things up, or let us know if the suggestions so far have helped.

The "op" is a "1 poster", so we may never hear from them again! : (

- Nick
 
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Im sorry everyone, i should have stated that when i put in my friends startup disk, i held down C to boot it. And it came up to tell me to pick a language, i picked english and it said unable to install. So i forgot to state that it didnt work. I am going to reboot my start up disk in the morning. Hoping it will all work. Will keep everyone posted on the problem. Any ever had this problem before?
 
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All is revealed. That message unable to install is standard when using discs from another machine. Boot from your Tiger install disc and run Repair Disk from there and all should be well.

If you want Leopard go to the Apple shop.
 
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I lost my tiger start up, I no right now the only thing i could do is get leopard or find my Tiger, But what if i wait for Snow Leopard to come out in September or whatever. Or do i have to get Leopard to get Snow Leopard.
 

bobtomay

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You would need Leopard only to be eligible for the $29 upgrade version of Snow Leopard.

Couldn't find it quickly, but I believe there will be a full version for those that never migrated to Leopard.
 
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You would need Leopard only to be eligible for the $29 upgrade version of Snow Leopard.

Couldn't find it quickly, but I believe there will be a full version for those that never migrated to Leopard.


I hope because the leopard is i believe 60-80 Dollars. Then i would need to spend thirty more to buy leopard!! I hope they come out with a full version
 

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Still cheaper than $129 for snow leopard... and/but you would have a universal Install disc for 10.5.xx!

and.... wait for it: the latest TIME MACHINE!!
 
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Ya, but i hope that i will retrieve my photos and audio that i lost when i buy snow leopard!!. I really would like some of those stuff back. Anyway, I was thinking about getting Time Machine, but whats the difference between time machine and an External Hard Drive??
 
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Time Machine is an app that works with your external drive to easily back it up and restore old files. Sounds like you have a lot to learn about your Mac. Here's a short tutorial about Time Machine that you should check out.

Apple - Find Out How - Mac Basics

While you're there, you should check out all the other tutorials as well, just to get an overview of what your machine does before you try any other little experiments with it.
 

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