Need to know what Tiger OS version for old Macbook Pro

I am trying to find the correct installation disks for my old MacBook Pro 15" laptop so I can do a full reinstall. I have misplaced and/or lost the reinstallation disks. The current OS X is v 10.4.11.

I purchased 2 incorrect installation disks off Ebay already - Tiger OS X v 10.4
Tiger OS X v 10.4.3. Both versions indicate that the OS cannot be installed on this equipment.

I went online to try and find out more and here is what I come up with. I don't know if this is factual. I typed in my serial number.

MacBook Pro 15"
Processor: 2.0 GHz Core Duo (T2500)
Model #: MA464LL/A
Production: Feb 14, 2006-May 16, 2006

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Hugo

Hugoo1041 said:

I purchased 2 incorrect installation disks off Ebay already - Tiger OS X v 10.4
Tiger OS X v 10.4.3. Both versions indicate that the OS cannot be installed on this equipment.

Click to expand...

If you want to install OS 10.4 Tiger...you need at LEAST...OS 10.4.5. This is why those 10.4.3 disks won't work...slightly too old.

Two other "heads-up" regarding purchasing Mac OS install disks:

- DO NOT buy the gray/silver disks (they are model specific and won't work).
- DO NOT buy a "drop-in disk". These are not "stand-alone" install disks...they require a previous version to install

You want a black retail full install disc with a big "X" on it...and in your case...it needs to be OS 10.4.5 or higher.

Good luck,

- Nick

p.s. Just curious. Do you have a specific reason why you need OS 10.4 Tiger? Since you could (if you wanted to) install OS 10.5 or 10.6.

Hi Nick,

Thank you for responding.

I was under the impression I could not install 10.5 or 10.6 because I had attempted to use my newer MacBook Pro 13 inch "gray" install disk v 10.5.7 and, of course, it did not work. As I now learn, this disk is model specific. Got it!

OK. Is 10.6 named "Leopard"? Do I have this correct that I want the retail, full install disc?

Just an afterthought: Can I use my Snow Leopard Install DVD to just upgrade?

Thank you so very much!

-Hugo

10.5 = Leopard, 10.6 = Snow Leopard.

Hugoo1041 said:

Hi Nick,

Thank you for responding.

I was under the impression I could not install 10.5 or 10.6 because I had attempted to use my newer MacBook Pro 13 inch "gray" install disk v 10.5.7 and, of course, it did not work. As I now learn, this disk is model specific. Got it!

OK. Is 10.6 named "Leopard"? Do I have this correct that I want the retail, full install disc?

Click to expand...

You most DEFINITELY can install OS 10.5 or 10.6...and if you have no reason to install 10.5...10.6 would DEFINITELY be the best choice!!! 10.6 is "Snow Leopard".

$29 bucks at the Apple Store:

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.)

- Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks so much! I feel like such a bother and quite ignorant. So sorry.

I just popped in my Snow Leopard Disk and I get a message "Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer".

Any ideas? I used this disk on my newer MacBook Pro - is it a one time install only?

OK.

I guess I am in over my head.

I now cannot get the Snow Leopard Disk to eject. Any ideas?

Thanks for any and all help.

-Hugo

Hugoo1041 said:

Hi Nick,

Thanks so much! I feel like such a bother and quite ignorant. So sorry.

I just popped in my Snow Leopard Disk and I get a message "Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer".

Any ideas? I used this disk on my newer MacBook Pro - is it a one time install only?

Click to expand...

I sure hope that this Snow Leopard disk is not a gray/silver disk...we already discussed why that won't work.

- Nick

Hugoo1041 said:

I now cannot get the Snow Leopard Disk to eject. Any ideas?

Click to expand...

Did you try "dragging" the Snow Leopard disk to the trash can?...this will auto-eject the disk.

Did you try pushing the key in the extreme upper right of the keyboard with the "underlined triangle" symbol on it? This will also eject the disk.

- Nick

Yes. I got a head of myself.

But, I removed the disk and all is well. I will order the correct disk and thank you so very much. Happy Thanksgiving! -Hugo

Hugoo1041 said:

I just popped in my Snow Leopard Disk and I get a message "Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer".

Click to expand...

One other thought...how much ram does your older 15" MacBook Pro have? You need at least 1gig of ram to install Snow Leopard. You also need at least 5 gig of free hard drive space.

- Nick

I have 1gig ram and I have 26GB left on the hard drive.

I don't know if Snow Leopard can be installed on this computer? I have the retail Snow Leopard which is gray/silver. Obviously this does not work. There is conflicting information about having to upgrade to Leopard first on this model year.

What do you think? Thanks, Hugo

Hugoo1041 said:

I have the retail Snow Leopard which is gray/silver.

Click to expand...

If your Snow Leopard disk is "gray/silver"...then it is NOT a retail disk!!! A "retail" Snow Leopard disk looks like this:



- Nick

Hi Nick,

OK. I get the picture! I will order it now.

Thanks for all of your time! Hugo

Hugoo1041 said:

OK. I get the picture! I will order it now.

Click to expand...

Some folks need to be "whacked" on the head more than once! Ha ha!

Good luck...once you get that disc...you should be in fine shape!

- Nick