MacBook Pro 17'' (2009) A1297 .... I can't get an OS to boot for installation without crashing or causing a KP

[tr3ndz]

I've tried the original from day one 10.5.7 version, won't boot, just causes a KP. Then I went to a final 10.11 version which installed, starts to boot and gets to about 95% on the Apple loading screen and will restart. I tried a 10.6 installation, that one just KPs..... only three versions I haven't tried are 10.8, 10.9. 10.10, maybe one of those will work, otherwise that's three strikes and I'm out of ideas. It's too bad this model won't do an internet recovery..... or if they would provide some way to determine what current firmware is installed but without having an OS installed that's impossible. Any ideas guys? Otherwise I'm done banging my head on the desk, starting to see double!!

 

[chscag]

That particular model MacBook Pro was/is known for GPU problems. So much so that Apple had a free repair program ongoing for around 4 years that they would change out the logic board for free.

It sounds like your machine has hardware problems. Maybe not the GPU, but that would be my first suspect.