Clean install using old system disk

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by jhatter, Jul 12, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. jhatter, Jul 12, 2011

    jhatter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2011
    #1
    Hi

    I want to perform a clean install on my PowerBook G4. I have the original system disk OS X 10.5. If I start up from this (holding C as I do so) and then go to reinstall, it won't let me because I have since up-graded to 10.5.8.

    How do I get around this? Does this mean my original system disks are now obsolete?

    Thanks in anticipation of your replies.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  2. Paulywauly, Jul 12, 2011

    Paulywauly macrumors 6502a

    Paulywauly

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    Location:
    Durham, UK
    #2
    Thats odd. Have you tried wiping your boot drive with the Disk Utility on the 10.5 disc? A simple repartitioning should work. Then just install 10.5 onto the blank partition. Does that work?
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  3. Hansr, Jul 12, 2011

    Hansr macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2007
    #3
    No it's because your Powerbook didn't come with 10.5 that is a restore disc for some other machine and won't work on any other model than the one it came with.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  4. jhatter, Jul 12, 2011

    jhatter thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2011
    #4
    Hansr you are partly correct.

    My PB came with OSX 10.3. I then bought several OS upgrades, the last one being 10.5.1. Since then I have been prompted to do several minor online upgrades, hence why I am now at 10.5.8(?).

    That is why I have system disks that are older than my OS.

    Hope you can still help.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  5. strider42, Jul 12, 2011

    strider42 macrumors 65816

    strider42

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2002
    #5
    Is it a retail disc you have, or is a restore disc from another computer. if its a restore disk from another computer, it probably won't work.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  6. jhatter, Jul 12, 2011

    jhatter thread starter macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2011
    #6
    I bought it from a mac store, in it's original box with the hologram type thing on the front (if that helps)
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  7. Paulywauly, Jul 12, 2011

    Paulywauly macrumors 6502a

    Paulywauly

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    Location:
    Durham, UK
    #7
    Again, have you tried booting from the retail disk and repartitioning the drive through Disc Utility? Doing this will remove any trace of 10.5.8 from your mac meaning the install should go ahead
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  8. Knoodles, Jul 12, 2011

    Knoodles macrumors 6502

    Knoodles

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2003
    Location:
    Gone to the Beach
    #8
    When you get to the install window showing the available hd click on it and then click the options button. Choose erase and install or re install preserving users and network settings. Press OK. Press continue.
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  9. Hansr, Jul 13, 2011

    Hansr macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2007
    #9
    Since it's retail it should work independent of OS version if you do archive and install or erase and install. What is the explicit message you get?
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
  10. -tWv-, Jul 13, 2011

    -tWv- macrumors 68000

    -tWv-

    Joined:
    May 11, 2009
    Location:
    Ohio
    #10
    Just wipe the drive and then install if you don't need any of the files in there. If you do, do an archive and install
     
    share
    + Quote Reply
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page