New hard drive install - folder with question marks

I've just replaced the hard drive in a late-2006 MacBook Pro. Replacement went like a dream. But now having trouble on the OS X (10.4.8) install. Have original OS X Install Disc 1 that shipped with machine. I insert the disc but it eventually gets spit out and I get the folder with a question mark appearing.

I've got a slight work around. I also have a MacBook Pro 2010 and use the 10.6.3 install disc. That enables me to get in (after quite a few attempts of disc being spat out, pressing C, pressing shift, pressing D, pressing option etc) - but obviously I can't install from this disc. However, I can buy-pass a few steps and get into utilities. I've created a drive partition. I then select startup disc but the only options I have are network or the 10.6.3 install disc. I then restart and obviously I'm back to square 1. I try to force eject the 10.6.3 and insert the 10.4.8 which then gets spat out!

I've spent about 10 hours on this and am losing patience!

I'm sure an expert on here has the solution.

Thanks.

Does the disc not eject if you use the eject key on the keyboard? It's the last key on the upper right of the keyboard. If not try plugging in a usb mouse and pressing the mouse left mouse button as the system starts up. You may have to try this a few times.

I don't remember for are if it works with wireless mice.

Thanks Slydude.

The eject function works on power down. It will not eject whilst the OS X 10.6.8 install disk is loaded. I've tried pressing the eject button, using a USB mouse neither of which have worked.

I just tried another route, running the 10.6.8 on my 2010 MacBook and then trying to connect to it via the Network Startup option. I got an error message: "You can't change the startup disk to the selected disk. The bless tool was unable to set the current boot disk."

Can you mount the 10.4 restore disk in the working computer? You could do target disk mode, and the optical disk should be able to be accessed that way.

Thanks Stretch. I got quite excited for a minute there.

Unfortunately, my firewire is 400 to 400. The MacBook 2010 model has an 800 port and not a 400 (and 800) unlike my 2006 model.

I'm running out of ideas here!

froggeja said:

Unfortunately, my firewire is 400 to 400. The MacBook 2010 model has an 800 port and not a 400 (and 800) unlike my 2006 model.

I'm running out of ideas here!

Click to expand...

You just need the proper cable:

NewerTech 1394B96036 FireWire 800/400 1394B/A 9 Pin... in stock at OWC

Don't give up so easily!

- Nick

I don't understand why you want 10.4.8 and not 10.6.3?
Oh, maybe your 10.6.3 disk is a model-specific one for your other Mac?

Nick - thanks for this. I'll get the cable and give it a go - your help is much appreciated. Will update on progress!

Gsahli - thanks. Unfortunately, both disks at the ones shipped with each computer. If I had a retail version then I think the process may have been a little smoother for me. Out of interest, will the 2006 MacBook Pro support 10.6.3?

Thanks for all the help so far.

Yes it will support Snow leopard

I had trouble with a new drive in my daughter's MacBook. When trying to install OSX from the discs, the new drive refused to show up in Disk Utility.

I eventually got around it by putting the old drive back into the MacBook, putting the new drive into an enclosure, where it showed in DU, and then installed OSX, and then swapped the drives over.

And if still no joy consider replacing the HDD cable as they get quite brittle with heat and easily cracked when removing/replacing the hard drive.