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replaced harddisk, OSX wont install!

M

minimax

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 9, 2005
351
0
I just bought a new 111 GB HD for my mini, but when I want to install OS X the installer says I can't install on the harddrive! It shows the HD icon with a '!' inside a red octagon in the lower right corner of the icon.
Am I forgetting something? I tried to format in both Mac OS (Journaled) and Mac OS (HFS+) but that didnt help.

Advise is badly needed!

thanks in advance,
kris
 
Passante

Passante

macrumors 6502a
Apr 16, 2004
860
0
on the sofa
Its best to format with journaling on.

Are you using the discs that shipped with the mini? do you have any third party ram, if so pull it. I would also go back into the mini and check for loose connectors.

Can you boot off of the installer disk, quit the installer and see the drive?
 
M

minimax

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 9, 2005
351
0
@Mad Jew

when I used disk utility everything was fine, it's just when I return from the disk utility to the OSX installer that I get the '!' icon that says I can't install on that volume.

@Passante I'm using the official Mac Mini install disc yes

I doubt it's the RAM, this has nothing to do with it and the RAM worked fine before.

Should a clean new HD just work when I put it in the mac or should I do something with it beforehand?

I hope there is nothing wrong with the HD :( :( :( :(

btw can I call Apple about this??
 
mad jew

mad jew

Moderator emeritus
Apr 3, 2004
32,191
9
Adelaide, Australia
Sorry, but just to clarify, you formatted it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) (named it and erased it) and it gave you this exclamation mark?

It could potentially be a RAM problem, but I really doubt it.

Do you think there may be a loose connection inside the mini?
 
M

minimax

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 9, 2005
351
0
mad jew said:
Sorry, but just to clarify, you formatted it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) (named it and erased it) and it gave you this exclamation mark?

It could potentially be a RAM problem, but I really doubt it.
Click to expand...


Yes (although I'm not sure what you mean with erase)
i formatted it both as Journaled and then again as HFS+.
Everything seems to be fine in the Disk Utility, it is just when I exit the Disk Utility and return to the OSX installer, where you have to click the volume that you want to install on that it says I can't install on the volume(s)...

I really made sure the HD was connected in a good fashion (you need to if you want to screw it on the frame of the mini). I have enough experience inside the mini to be fairly certain I did not forget something. If I can partition the HD, acces both the HD and use the combodrive, it really seems unlikely to be a hardware issue.
 
mad jew

mad jew

Moderator emeritus
Apr 3, 2004
32,191
9
Adelaide, Australia
Can't remember, but maybe you have to shut it off and start again? I don't think you do, but it might be worth a try.

What I mean by erase, is format. For me, Disk Utility says Erase when I want to format something so that I have to select the format type from a drop down menu and then click Erase. :)
 
M

minimax

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 9, 2005
351
0
I guess i could try again. This just freaks the hell out of me :(

Can I call Apple about this?
 
Arcus

Arcus

macrumors 6502a
Dec 28, 2004
716
333
of my hand will get me slapped.
Is it possible that the Mac Mini install disks expect a certain hardware configuration? I know a few PeeCee manufacturers that do this so that thier resore disks cant be used to put Windows on an unauthorized computer.

Do you have a regular OSX install disk set around to use instead of the restore set?
 
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