Problems erasing and reloading MacBook

[Kaveman]

The install disks must be from the same model or the full retail version. You can not use the disks that came with one Mac to install OS X onto a different model of Mac.

With the right disks, boot with the C key down and choose Disk Utility from the Menu, Erase. Then Quit, and choose Install.

 

[Buford]

Well, while I don't know this to be absolute fact, I'm pretty sure that the install disc I have is the one that came with the newer MacBook.

The disc is 10.6.4. and the newer hard drive is 10.6.8. I figured the hard drive wasn't exactly the same as the disc because the software on the MacBook had been updated online? Is that possible?

I'm not sure what you mean by "full retail version." This is an Apple disc.

I did a shake-down of my kids' rooms and couldn't find any other MacBook Install DVDs. And, I really don't remember there being a MacBook in the family other than the two I'm trying to repair, so that makes me a bit more confident that the disc should pair up with one of the two hard drives.

 

[Kaveman]

full retail version

is not one that came with a Mac, would be purchased in a box from a store.

“Mac OS X Snow Leopard cannot be installed on this computer.”

Means that the Mac doesn't meet the requirements for Snow Leopard to be installed. There are many reasons, for amount of RAM, GPU, CPU that can cause this.

But the Installer always checks if it can be installed as it not good to install a version on OSX that doesn't work with that hardware. This is why I suspect that there is a Disk miss-match. The Disks probably belong to the older/newer Laptop and wont work with the one you're trying to install it on.

 

[Buford]

Thanks Kaveman! I just called Apple and ordered a copy of the 10.6 "full retail" DVD. They assured me it would work for me. It was just $20.

I wish the display and screen repairs I need to do were that inexpensive!