attempting to wipe 10.5.8, just get boot loop

I want to give my old 17" MBP to my dad, and wipe all the information off of it. I have the Leopard DVD in the drive and OS is recognizing it, but when I click "Install" and it takes me to the reboot process, it just sticks me in the boot loop. I'm able to Cmd+Option+P+R my way out of it, but I can't figure out how to just install fresh because it won't let me! Any thoughts?

Is that the DVD that came with that specific Mac?

You need to boot from the install DVD. Restart and hold down C. It will boot from the DVD. Then you can run Disk Utility and wipe then reinstall.

gsahli said:

Is that the DVD that came with that specific Mac?

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Should be, yes. At least I don't know why I'd have another.

cradom said:

You need to boot from the install DVD. Restart and hold down C. It will boot from the DVD. Then you can run Disk Utility and wipe then reinstall.

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Same result - it continues to boot over and over and over...

akqjt said:

Same result - it continues to boot over and over and over...

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What sort of Leopard install disk do you have? If it's a gray disk…and it didn't originally come with the 17" MBP…then it won't work (model specific).

- Nick

It is black with a big "X" and a purple galaxy thing in the middle. It reads

Mac OS X Leopard
Upgrade DVD
Version 10.5

The version on the MBP is 10.5.8.

akqjt said:

It is black with a big "X" and a purple galaxy thing in the middle. It reads

Mac OS X Leopard
Upgrade DVD
Version 10.5

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. This is the next most common problem with Leopard OS 10.5 install disks. What you have is a 10.5 "Drop-In" upgrade disk. It is not a full install disk…it's an upgrade disk only.

These "drop-in" disks were literally "dropped-in" to the boxes of new computers that were already in distribution channels when OS 10.5 was first released.

The only way these disks work is if the computer already has an older OS installed on it (most likely a version of 10.4)…which can be upgraded from.

- Nick

And it's not like a pirated copy of Leopard or anything like that. In fact I had to dig this disc out of the closet; I doubt I'd even opened it before...

pigoo3 said:

Thanks for the info. This is the next most common problem with Leopard OS 10.5 install disks. What you have is a 10.5 "Drop-In" upgrade disk. It is not a full install disk…it's an upgrade disk only.

These "drop-in" disks were literally "dropped-in" to the boxes of new computers that were already in distribution channels when OS 10.5 was first released.

The only way these disks work is if the computer already has an older OS installed on it (most likely a version of 10.4)…which can be upgraded from.

- Nick

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Okay, thanks. So, how do I go about wiping my MacBook? My dad won't care what version of OSX he's running; he just needs a functional computer to read news, check e-mail, and do old man computer type things.

akqjt said:

Okay, thanks. So, how do I go about wiping my MacBook? My dad won't care what version of OSX he's running; he just needs a functional computer to read news, check e-mail, and do old man computer type things.

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Probably your easiest & least expensive route is to purchase an OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) install disk for $19.99:

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

- Nick

Then (depending on what model 17" MBP this is)…it can be upgraded further (10.7, 10.8, etc.) if desired at some point.

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

Probably your easiest & least expensive route is to purchase an OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) install disk for $19.99:

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

- Nick

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Excellent - thanks so much for your help!

akqjt said:

Excellent - thanks so much for your help!

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You are welcome!

10.6 is a much better OS for MacBook Pro's as well (than 10.5). 10.6 takes up a lot less hard drive space (than 10.5)…and 10.6 was the first OS X version specifically written for Intel-based Apple computers (which a 17" MBP is).

- Nick

and do old man computer type things.

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Good thing you're not my kid

cradom said:

Good thing you're not my kid

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Ha ha…I missed that little humorous tidbit!

- Nick

cradom said:

Good thing you're not my kid

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If my dad knew how to get on an internet forum, I wouldn't be worried.

I'm actually pretty excited about gifting him an old Mac. It means slightly less worrying about him installing malware and having his entire bank account stolen.

akqjt said:

I'm actually pretty excited about gifting him an old Mac. It means slightly less worrying about him installing malware and having his entire bank account stolen.

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In an earlier post I mentioned installing OS 10.6. In order to get access to the Mac App Store…a computer needs at least OS 10.6.6. So installing OS 10.6 is sort of a "gateway" OS for the Mac App Store.

The reason why I mention this is because you mentioned security in your post (bank account info). Apple discontinued support of OS 10.6 (Feb. 2014)…which means no more security updates. So it may be better (after OS 10.6 is installed)…to then purchase & install OS 10.7 or 10.8 from the Mac App Store for better security. Each is $19.99.

The exact model MacBook Pro you have was not mentioned…so not sure what max. OS version it can handle.

- Nick

Thanks, I just got off the phone with Apple support and they were nice enough to send me a free 10.6 install disc, so I'll do that once I get it. Much appreciated once again.

There is a chance that machine will run Mavericks, which would be a free upgrade too once your have Snow Leopard in...