Tried Clean Install- Now have blank CPU and can't install OS

Hello,
After receiving a used Mac Book Air with all of its old contents still on the HD, I wanted to do a clean install. I rebooted from an apple USB containing Snow Leopard Back Up software. Using Disk Utility, I deleted the contents of the HD. When trying to then install the software, I get the error message "Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer." Now when I boot up the computer, I get a blank screen with a question mark, and I can't install the system software from the USB.

Of note: the USB with the backup software actually came with a newer Mac Book Air, and did not come with this one. Any advice is much appreciated!

Of note: the USB with the backup software actually came with a newer Mac Book Air, and did not come with this one. Any advice is much appreciated!

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It won't work. You need the original backup software or the original DVD and the special optical drive for the Air. Contact Apple customer support.

Surprisingly, the person from whom I got the computer was able to locate the grey back up DVDs that came with it.

Will I now be able to install the software? (Haven't tried yet as I haven't received the DVDs yet) Thanks.

Nope. Gray disks are machine specific.

Yep, if they are definitely the discs that it came with, and you have access to the Air USB superdrive.

Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive - Apple Store (U.S.)

6string said:

Yep, if they are definitely the discs that it came with, and you have access to the Air USB superdrive.

Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive - Apple Store (U.S.)

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Oh I misread it, yeah, if they the disks that came with that machine and not your friends MBA.

as for the SuperDrive, you don't necessarily need it if you have access to another Mac that has a drive you can install over the network.