Buying used OS disks?

[Greffe]

I'm looking to install OS 10.6 on a 2007 MacBook, and I see a handful of copies (some sealed, some used) on eBay. I'm wondering if it works to use an opened copy that may have been registered before, and if all DVDs of the OS should work with the MacBook. Any knowledge appreciated, thank you.

 

[maflynn]

Make sure they're not the gray disks, if they are you have to be sure they're for the same model of Mac. Apple keyed the disks to the model of the mac, so if you bought a set of disks for a Mac Pro and tried to use them on your MacBook it would fail.

 

[Bruno09]

I'm looking to install OS 10.6 on a 2007 MacBook,

You can also buy a new DVD of Snow Leopard 10.6.3 from Apple :
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Then you will have to update to 10.6.8 by installing the combo update :
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Then run Software Update to install the security updates and some other updates.

Doing so won't give you iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, iWeb, iDVD, which are parts of the iLife suite (originally supplied on the second gray DVD).

You can find iLife DVD's on Internet.

 

[Greffe]

Make sure they're not the gray disks, if they are you have to be sure they're for the same model of Mac. Apple keyed the disks to the model of the mac, so if you bought a set of disks for a Mac Pro and tried to use them on your MacBook it would fail.

Thanks, that's really useful to know. The mere fact of being used, however, wouldn't prevent them from being used again, if I understand right.

 

[MeUnix]

You can get a brand new Snow Leopard OS X disk from Apple for $19.99.