Install snow leopard from dead finder disc

[Antoda]

Hi, after getting the message that Finder had an error -10801 (or something similar, i can't remember...) I forced my macbook pro to shut down. Afterwards I can log-in but non of the finder windows appear on the desktop. Also I cannot open any other application or shut down the Computer.
When I put in my Leopard Install disc and turn on the Computer holding down the C I only get a grey screen. I have done that for 10 minutes.
When I do the same with Snow Leopard "CPU Drop-in DVD" I get a menu:
'Choosing language' and then MAC OS X Installer asks 'To set up the installation of Snow Leopard, click continue". However, I am afraid of doing that if it erases all my documents. I have the possibility of choosing a UTILITY menu, but down know what to do with this (e.g. Go to Disk Utility or Terminal...).
Does anyone have a clue of how to help the Danish student???

Thanks in advance,
Antoda

 

[spinnerlys]

Snow Leopard doesn't erase* any content if you install it, unless you choose otherwise.


About Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions feature

Guide on how to use Disk Utility from the restore / installation DVD.


*
Snow Leopard: The Installation Process

Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
Installation and Setup Guide

 

[Antoda]

It helped so far, but...

I tried to do the disc repair and it said it was succesfull, however nothing was changed when I turned the Computer back on. Afteerwards I tried to install Snow Leopard, but I have not enough disc space (only 1,4GB). Is there anything else I can do?

And thanks for the quick reply

 

[davidlv]

I tried to do the disc repair and it said it was succesfull, however nothing was changed when I turned the Computer back on. Afteerwards I tried to install Snow Leopard, but I have not enough disc space (only 1,4GB). Is there anything else I can do?
And thanks for the quick reply

First, do not use the Disk Utility application to partition or erase the HD, that will erase your data.
You can install Snow Leopard, overwriting the current install, and your data will be OK. However, you do not have enough space on your HD to do the install so first you need to move some data off the internal HD or erase it.
To do that, the easiest way is to use the Target Disk Mode by turning off the machine and reboot it while holding down the T key. Then connect the computer to another Mac by firewire cable (some Macs have FW 800 and some have FW 400, so check to make sure you have the right cable). Then the internal drive on your Mac should appear as a firewire drive mounted on the other Mac and you can then delete some files or move them to the other Mac to get some space for the SL installation.
Of course, you will need access to another Mac for this procedure to work.
After you clear up some space, throw the firewire icon for your internal drive in the trash- this will unmount the drive from the other Mac - and disconnect the FW cable. Turn off your Mac by holding down the Power button. Then try to install SL again.
You should leave more HD space available, OSX likes at least 10% free, and it runs better with more available.
Hope that helps.

 

[Antoda]

Thx - I'll do that tomorrow

...

 

[Antoda]

Everything works fine now

Thx so much!