Getting "this software cannot be installed on this computer" error

[ChickieBell]

I haven't had a Mac since my first computer in college 20 years ago, but have been considering crossing over to the Mac side for some time. I recently purchased an iMac from a friend with the following specs:

iMac5,1/Intel Core 2 Duo/2.16ghz/2GB RAM/250gbHD/20"iSight

He used WipeDrive to wipe the hard drive before turning the computer over to me....then discovered he couldn't find the reinstallation discs.

I didn't panic - I just gave the mac guy on e-bay my specs and he helped me identify the appropriate ones for my iMac. From everything I've been able to tell through my research, he indeed sold me the correct ones. The ones he sold me have the following information on them:

Mac OS Version 10.4.7/AHT version 3A112/Disc version 1.0/2Z691-5883-A There are 2 discs - the first is labeled iMac MAC OS X Install Disc 1 and the second is iMac MAC OS X Install Disc 2.

My problem is this. When I boot from the Install Disc 1, I get the screen where you choose a language, then a "preparing installation" message, followed by an "Alert This software cannot be installed on this computer" message. I have checked and double checked and triple checked the specs against the OS X version I am trying to install and it seems to match up from everything I've been able to read.

I'm pretty PC savvy, but don't even pretend to know my way around a Mac. Here is what I have tried so far:

I used the Utilities function on the Install Disc to erase, reformat (GUID), and repartition (Mac OS Extended Journaled) the Hard Drive.

I've held down the D key and used the Apple Hardware Test and everything checks out OK. I've tried every test/check available in utilities and they all check out OK.

I even, on a whim, tried the Restore function and used the Install Disc 1 as the Source disk and the Hard Drive as the Destination disk. After the Install Disc 1 copied to the Hard Drive and I booted from the Hard Drive, I still got the same error message - "Alert This software cannot be installed on this computer."

After trying all of the above, I am still getting the same message "Alert This software cannot be installed on this computer."

During all of the hours that I've spent reading forums and possible solutions to this problem, I remember reading somewhere that having non-OEM RAM might cause a problem with using the restore discs. Since the sticker on the bottom of the iMac says it has 1GB RAM and the System Information says it has 2GB RAM, I asked my friend if he had upgraded the RAM and he said he thought the guy he bought it from (the original owner) had done so. I checked the RAM and found (2) 1GB sticks of Patriot SoDimm installed.

Can anyone tell me what I might be able to do to solve this problem and get my OS installed? I've purchased a new set of Restore CD's, I've spent many, many hours trying to problem solve, I've pulled most of my hair out, and I'm about to question my sanity for wanting to get another Mac.

What might be the problem? If it is the non-OEM RAM preventing me from using the restore CD's, I am more than willing to buy some OEM RAM - but I don't want to just buy the OEM RAM and waste my hard-earned money if it isn't going to help.

Thanks a million to anyone who can offer some guidance.

 

[Kevriano]

To answer the RAM question, it should make no difference. Apple don't make RAM they use various sources depending on the machine/costs at time of manufacture, so I'd be amazed if this is the problem.
I think that the discs are the problem I'm afraid, iMac or not, the Intel ones were only shipped with the machines, they were never available separately, so although the seller says they are the right ones they may not be.

Here's a little info I found:

Mac OS X v10.4 was initially available in a PowerPC edition, with an Intel edition released beginning at 10.4.6; there is no universal version of the client operating system, although Tiger Server was made available on a universal DVD from version 10.4.7. While Apple shipped the PowerPC edition bundled with PowerPC-based Macs and also sold it as a separate retail box, the only way to get the Intel version was bundled with an Intel-based Mac. However, there were still unofficial places to buy the Intel version such as eBay, although the only Intel discs produced were the gray-colored "restore" DVDs supplied with new Macs that will only install on the model of Mac that they are intended for, unlike the retail DVD that can be used on any Mac supported by Tiger.
The system requirements of the PowerPC edition are:
A PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor running at 333 MHz or more
Built-in FireWire
At least 256 MB of RAM (512 MB or 1 GB recommended)
At least 3 GB of available hard disk space; 4 GB of disk space including the Xcode 2 Tools
DVD drive (CD media exchange was available; offer ended 19 March 2007)

I hope that helps, even if it's a bit doom and gloom.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

You can either contact Apple and inquire about getting a replacement set of the original install DVDs, or just buy the retail version of Leopard (OS 10.5). Leopard is a bit more advanced and is currently the most recent version. Snow Leopard (10.6) is coming VERY SOON and will be highly optimized for Intel-based Macs like yours.

 

[Nethfel]

I noticed your post here:

10.4.7 won't reinstall using restore CD's-HELP! - The macosxhints Forums

and it looks like the respondents gave you good advice. I agree with lifeisabeach, either get the original install dvds from apple for I'm sure a nominal fee, or go ahead and purchase leopard retail. Snowleopard I'm sure is around the corner, the only question is where that corner is it could be any time from now until, well - until they release it lol (hopefully sooner rather then later, I'd honestly like a bit better game performance in the few that I do play ).

 

[ChickieBell]

Apple says I have the right restore CD's - more info

Thank you to those who took the time to read my lengthy posting and have offered advice/suggestions.

I was able to find out that I DO have the right restore disks (by calling Apple). Now I'm trying to look at other options.

WipeDrive for Mac was used to wipe the drive. Since the drive was wiped - shouldn't it be showing up as 250GB or at least close? It is showing up as 232GB, but it is a 250GB drive. Maybe it is supposed to be this way - but does anyone know?

If not, is it possible that it needs to be wiped again? He said that at one point he had tried to set up a Windows partition on the hard drive, but he gave up and just kept using the Mac OS.

Is it possible that partition or some sort of volume is still there and wasn't wiped by WipeDrive for Mac, but is not showing up when the Mac OS X 10.4.7 restore CD's are put in?

I did try checking for errors and Disk Utilities can't find any.

With this new information - any additional advice or suggestions?

Thanks so much.

 

[dtravis7]

I will address the size part of your question. No 250GB drive will show up in the OS at 250GB. 232GB sounds about right. It's the same in both Windows or OSX.

Your other issue sounds like others have said as the wrong install media. Are these copies or the actual Gray OSX DVD's from Apple?

 

[ChickieBell]

Reinstall Disks

They are gray and they are the correct disks. I gave Apple the following information and, according to Apple, these are the right disks for that build. Just on the very outside chance that lady made a mistake, here is the (very) detailed info:

iMac
iMac 5,1
Intel Core 2 Duo
2.16ghz, 2GB RAM
Boot Rom Version IM51.0090.B09
SMC Version 1.9f4
Matshita DVD-R UJ-85J
20" LCD 1344X840
with iSight
EMC 2118
Made in late 2006

Here is what is on the gray Apple disks:

A white apple in the center at the top
Start Up and Hardware Test instructions written in small white lettering at the top right
A white Mac logo on the center right
iMac, Mac OS X Install Disc 1 on the left

Mac OS version 10.4.7
AHT version 3A112
Disc version 1.0
2Z691-5883-A ........on the bottom left

2006 Apple Computer, Inc and copyright information at the bottom center

"This software is part of a hardware bundle......." on the bottom right

On the clear plastic sleeve that each disk is in, there is a white sticker with a bar code and below the bar code is:
2Z607-0010-A iMac Media Multilingual

Above the bar code on one sleeve is:
V9 091406

Above the bar code on the other sleeve is:
3Y08212006 458408

All the Apple person wanted was my serial number, basic computer specs, and the 2Z691-5862-A number off the discs.


I know this is extremely over-the-top detailed, but I thought maybe there was something I was missing somewhere.

 

[ChickieBell]

Is Hardware Test a clue?

When I use the restore disks I have and hold down the D key, the Hardware Test does run. Does this mean I for sure have the right set of disks?

I downloaded mactracker after a kind forum user posted the link to it for me and then tried to read everything I could and according to it, some of the computers of my EMC 2118 came with 10.4.7 (8K1106) and some with 10.4.8 (8N1430).

On mactracker, it says that my computer is AHT111 and these install disks say AHT112 - BUT on mactracker it also "skips" over AHT112 completely. By that I mean that they show the prior model with AHT111 and the next model with AHT113. They don't list any model with AHT112.

Thanks again for taking your time to try to help me solve this problem.

 

[harryb2448]

Never used WipeDrive, however I wonder if the seller formatted the drive after wiping it clean? Pop in your DVD, see if you can get the machine to boot holding down the 'C' key immediately after the chimes,

If successful, go to Utilities, then Disk Utility and see if the drive is recognised. If so, format Mac OS Extended and try again.

 

[ChickieBell]

Disk Format

Yes, I can get into Disk Utilities, even though the "this software cannot be used on this computer" message is in the middle of the screen. I can still go up to the drop down menu in the upper left and choose Disk Utilities.

I have tried what you suggested - actually 4 times now. However, I was formatting it with the (Journaled) option. Should I do just the Extended?

 

[ChickieBell]

This may be important

I may have found something - but not sure.

When I just did the Erase under Disk Utilities, the default name for the partition that is corrected is "Untitled". I changed it to Main and hit Erase. Normally Untitled appears underneath the hard drive in the column on the left hand side. For a brief moment - after the Untitled disappeared, "disk0s2" showed up in it's place and then 2 or 3 seconds later the name Main.

Also, at the bottom of that window, it shows that there are 2 Folders on that hard drive. Shouldn't there be just one - the one I created (Untitled, Main, or whatever I decided to name it)?

Also, at the bottom of that window, it is showing that 43MB of the hard drive are being used. Does that mean anything to anyone?

Is it possible there is still something on the hard drive that for some reason is not being erased and that this is preventing the OS from installing properly?

Just guessing here - but figured I'd run it by the more astute minds out there.

 

[ChickieBell]

typo

I meant to type "created" and NOT "corrected" in the last post. Just FYI.

 

[Kevriano]

You should get 2 HD icons show, but they will be for the same HD. One will be a manufacturers name and some detail of the HD, and the other will be under what ever you named it.
It does seem that there is something left there though.
Don't use erase as such but just format the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
As was mentioned, Wipedrive may have left something behind.
You could also try an fsck check on the drive I guess, couldn't hurt and zap pram and reset nvram.
Ask or search if you need to know how.

 

[Aptmunich]

I would Erase & format using Disk utility. Then try installing off your DVDs again. If you're still having no luck, try a Leopard install DVD...