Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard (Retail Copy) Not Installing on Macbook!!

[Kappa So Sick]

I purchased a newer white Macbook from a friend who just upgraded to the Aluminum unibody Macbook and he didn't have any of the original disks so this is where I your help!

I just bought Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard retail so that I could format the hard drive and do a fresh install. I have read multiple forums on how to do this, but when I stick in the OS X dvd, it loads into the installer and tells me that it cannot be installed on this Macbook and to refer to the "read me installation instructions." I know that this system meets all of the OS X 10.5 specs (newer white Macbook with 2.2Ghz duo core 2, 1 GB ram, intel graphics card and obviously the hard drive space isn't an issue) so could someone please tell me why I am experiencing problems.

The Macbook is the Late 2007 model which was introduced in November 2007. It says on Apple's page that the OS X version shipped with the Macbook was 10.5 (not 10.5.2 or anything) and the Retail version of OS X reads V 10.5 so why is it not working if the versions are the same? I bought the retail dvd from Best Buy so I'm afraid all of the versions there are the same (10.5)

This is the website I am basing this information off of: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159?viewlocale=en_US

I am new to the Apple community after switching from all Dell's and I'm already frustrated that I am encountering problems with something as simple as installing a retail copy of OS X on a perfectly capable computer. Any suggestions of help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Luap]

At a guess (And it is just a guess) The Mac was supplied with a later build of 10.5 originally. So installing an older version (IE 10.5.0) wont be accepted. Thats normal behaviour for Macs usually.
However, Apple have been supplying the latest retail discs as 10.5.4 for quite a while already. But you have 10.5.0? Which would be old stock, strangely.
I would see if it is possible to exchange it for a copy of 10.5.4..
10.5.0 had a lot of installation issues anyway, so it really is worth trying to install the latest 10.5.4 retail disc to avoid many of the known install issues.

 

[Kappa So Sick]

Thanks for the reply LUAP! I bought the disk at my local Best Buy because the nearest apple store is a good 45 min drive away. I'm afraid that all of the copies at Best Buy are going to be 10.5.0 because who knows if anybody checks for old stock over there. Will apple exchange my retail copy with the newest build/version even though I bought it at another retailer (Apple approved retailer though) or should I keep it mum and see what apple is willing to do for me?

Thanks again!

 

[old-wiz]

Call Apple and ask them to help you.

 

[sickmacdoc]

Thanks for the reply LUAP! I bought the disk at my local Best Buy because the nearest apple store is a good 45 min drive away. I'm afraid that all of the copies at Best Buy are going to be 10.5.0 because who knows if anybody checks for old stock over there. Will apple exchange my retail copy with the newest build/version even though I bought it at another retailer (Apple approved retailer though) or should I keep it mum and see what apple is willing to do for me?

Thanks again!

That probably is the case sadly enough-- and I just wanted to add the note that the 10.5 retail packs that carry the 10.5.4 updated disk have a sticker on the outside that notes that, so if yours had no such sticker it probably is a straight 10.5. AFAIK there were no "inbetween" retail disk released-- just straight from 10.5 to 10.5.4.

I would not think you would have any difficulty at all exchanging at the Apple store for a 10.5.4 disk given your circumstances, though it is a shame that you have to! Certainly worth a phone call to the Apple store to ask first though!

 

[mkrishnan]

If for some reason, Apple gives you trouble about new discs, there do seem to be some unofficial tricks available for doing a slipstreaming -- something that's relatively popular in Windows, especially in the IT world. This means you create a new, modified install DVD that incorporates the latest OS X update (10.5.5, or whatever at the time you do it).

http://aquamac.proboards106.com/index.cgi?board=hack1&action=display&thread=706&page=1#4703

I've never tried this, FWIW.

 

[ThomasJL]

I purchased a newer white Macbook from a friend who just upgraded to the Aluminum unibody Macbook and he didn't have any of the original disks so this is where I your help!

I just bought Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard retail so that I could format the hard drive and do a fresh install. I have read multiple forums on how to do this, but when I stick in the OS X dvd, it loads into the installer and tells me that it cannot be installed on this Macbook and to refer to the "read me installation instructions." I know that this system meets all of the OS X 10.5 specs (newer white Macbook with 2.2Ghz duo core 2, 1 GB ram, intel graphics card and obviously the hard drive space isn't an issue) so could someone please tell me why I am experiencing problems.

The Macbook is the Late 2007 model which was introduced in November 2007. It says on Apple's page that the OS X version shipped with the Macbook was 10.5 (not 10.5.2 or anything) and the Retail version of OS X reads V 10.5 so why is it not working if the versions are the same? I bought the retail dvd from Best Buy so I'm afraid all of the versions there are the same (10.5)

This is the website I am basing this information off of: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159?viewlocale=en_US

I am new to the Apple community after switching from all Dell's and I'm already frustrated that I am encountering problems with something as simple as installing a retail copy of OS X on a perfectly capable computer. Any suggestions of help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance

Problem: Retail DVD is an earlier version of 10.5.x than that which shipped with your computer.

Solution: Find someone with a MacBook that's of an earlier generation than yours. Remove his hard drive and insert yours. Install Leopard from your retail DVD. Set up Leopard on his computer. Run Software Update, and restart. Shut down. Remove your hard drive from his computer and install it in yours. It should work.

 

[gnasher729]

I purchased a newer white Macbook from a friend who just upgraded to the Aluminum unibody Macbook and he didn't have any of the original disks so this is where I your help!

It seems that you have a MacBook that shouldn't have needed MacOS X 10.5 because it shipped with it, so you should never have bought it. There are two problems: 1. I think the right person at Apple support should have shipped you replacement disks for your lost disks a lot cheaper than the $129 that you paid. 2. Apple's retail disks don't work on Macs that shouldn't need them, for example on your Mac that shipped with 10.5.

I would call an Apple Store or Apple support, explain the situation to them, (important) use your social skills to make them _want_ to help you, and in the best case you should get MacOS X 10.5 installed on your machine and a refund for the 10.5 box that you should never have bought.

 

[Darth.Titan]

Wow, so much input but no answer to the OP's question.
If the problem is that the Macbook has a newer version of OS X than the one you are trying to install, then the answer is really quite simple.
After booting to the install disc, go to the Utilities menu and select Disk Utility. Reformat the hard drive and then you can quit Disk Utility and the installer will work fine as there will no longer be a more current version of OS X already installed.
If you don't want to reformat, a Clean Install would work also.

 

[drlunanerd]

Wow, so much input but no answer to the OP's question.
If the problem is that the Macbook has a newer version of OS X than the one you are trying to install, then the answer is really quite simple.
After booting to the install disc, go to the Utilities menu and select Disk Utility. Reformat the hard drive and then you can quit Disk Utility and the installer will work fine as there will no longer be a more current version of OS X already installed.
If you don't want to reformat, a Clean Install would work also.

Wow, it's not that simple I'm afraid
The OP needs a later build of 10.5.0 for it to install on their MacBook, that which you'd get with the original restore discs, or else 10.5.1 or later. Formatting the hard disk won't help. Leopard's system checker is blocking the install.

 

[kaiwai]

I purchased a newer white Macbook from a friend who just upgraded to the Aluminum unibody Macbook and he didn't have any of the original disks so this is where I your help!

I just bought Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard retail so that I could format the hard drive and do a fresh install. I have read multiple forums on how to do this, but when I stick in the OS X dvd, it loads into the installer and tells me that it cannot be installed on this Macbook and to refer to the "read me installation instructions." I know that this system meets all of the OS X 10.5 specs (newer white Macbook with 2.2Ghz duo core 2, 1 GB ram, intel graphics card and obviously the hard drive space isn't an issue) so could someone please tell me why I am experiencing problems.

The Macbook is the Late 2007 model which was introduced in November 2007. It says on Apple's page that the OS X version shipped with the Macbook was 10.5 (not 10.5.2 or anything) and the Retail version of OS X reads V 10.5 so why is it not working if the versions are the same? I bought the retail dvd from Best Buy so I'm afraid all of the versions there are the same (10.5)

This is the website I am basing this information off of: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159?viewlocale=en_US

I am new to the Apple community after switching from all Dell's and I'm already frustrated that I am encountering problems with something as simple as installing a retail copy of OS X on a perfectly capable computer. Any suggestions of help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance

The version of Mac OS X which you have is an old CD; send it back and order it off Apple. Apple is already selling 10.5.4 of Mac OS X through their online store. 10.5.4 will support your laptop. From what it sounds like you have a laptop with the x3100 graphics card which requires a newer version.

Like I said, send it back and order Mac OS X off the Apple website.

 

[26139]

Uh...

Can't you just take it into the Genius Bar? I bet they'll help you out, either by swapping DVDs or installing the newest versions for you.

 

[Consultant]

It's probably better to order replacement system disk from Apple.

I would never buy a computer without restore disks.

Problem: Retail DVD is an earlier version of 10.5.x than that which shipped with your computer.

Solution: Find someone with a MacBook that's of an earlier generation than yours. Remove his hard drive and insert yours. Install Leopard from your retail DVD. Set up Leopard on his computer. Run Software Update, and restart. Shut down. Remove your hard drive from his computer and install it in yours. It should work.

You don't have to remove hard drive. You can use Firewire Target Mode to install, and then update.

 

[HLdan]

Wow, so much input but no answer to the OP's question.
If the problem is that the Macbook has a newer version of OS X than the one you are trying to install, then the answer is really quite simple.
After booting to the install disc, go to the Utilities menu and select Disk Utility. Reformat the hard drive and then you can quit Disk Utility and the installer will work fine as there will no longer be a more current version of OS X already installed.
If you don't want to reformat, a Clean Install would work also.

THANK YOU!! I sooo wanted to say that and was hoping somebody (such as you) gave the OP the correct info. I just hate it when people come up with such made up crap when they obviously know nothing about Macs.

To everyone else, for the record, you can install Tiger on a Leopard machine as long as you do what Darth Titan mentioned. I teach a class on Macs every week.

 

[ltldrummerboy]

AFAIK there were no "inbetween" retail disk released-- just straight from 10.5 to 10.5.4.

Actually, there was a 10.5.1 version. A friend of mine bought a family pack and that's what it was.

To the OP, have you considered returning the Leopard disc and buying replacement install discs from Apple? According to this ebay guide, they can be had for not too much.

 

[Sun Baked]

THANK YOU!! I sooo wanted to say that and was hoping somebody (such as you) gave the OP the correct info. I just hate it when people come up with such made up crap when they obviously know nothing about Macs.

To everyone else, for the record, you can install Tiger on a Leopard machine as long as you do what Darth Titan mentioned. I teach a class on Macs every week.

But don't forget to mention that generally you cannot install an OS older than the OS that originally began shipping with that HW configuration -- since as Apple updates the GPUs and chipsets, these require a minimum OS configuration to function.

Though you might be able to slipstream a OS hack.

In generall you cannot put Tiger on a unibody Mac and expect it to work, since the OS is two chipsets behind, unless you are prepared for more than simply deleting the OS.

 

[drlunanerd]

THANK YOU!! I sooo wanted to say that and was hoping somebody (such as you) gave the OP the correct info. I just hate it when people come up with such made up crap when they obviously know nothing about Macs.

To everyone else, for the record, you can install Tiger on a Leopard machine as long as you do what Darth Titan mentioned. I teach a class on Macs every week.

Perhaps you should be sitting in the class rather than teaching it?
I'd like to see you demonstrate getting Tiger running perfectly on a new Mac sold in the past year...
Sorry if that sounds harsh but please do a little more thinking before trashing everyone else's advice and generally wasting your time and the OP's
Happy holidays!

 

[rychencop]

Will apple exchange my retail copy with the newest build/version even though I bought it at another retailer

No

 

[Darth.Titan]

THANK YOU!! I sooo wanted to say that and was hoping somebody (such as you) gave the OP the correct info. I just hate it when people come up with such made up crap when they obviously know nothing about Macs.

To everyone else, for the record, you can install Tiger on a Leopard machine as long as you do what Darth Titan mentioned. I teach a class on Macs every week.

I believe drlunanerd has already shot my "oh so simple" solution down already. I should have read a bit more carefully.

While getting a replacement install DVD from Apple is probably the easiest solution, If the OP has another Mac that can boot from his retail install DVD he can start the new Macbook up in target disk mode. He can then select that as an external hard drive and install the OS that way.

He will need to keep the Macbook in Target disk mode, then download and apply the 10.5.5 combo update from the other Mac before booting the Macbook however.

Just a thought.

 

[archurban]

that's insane. I have similar situation with my first gen. macbook. somehow safari went wrong, and frozen. then when I restart it suddenly show darwin or something like that mode like dos. unfortunately I just lost original disk. so if I purchase mac os x 10.5 retail version, will it work? it is really sucks why only original disk works with macbook you bought? windows doesn't have that kind of issue.

 

[pdjudd]

that's insane. I have similar situation with my first gen. macbook. somehow safari went wrong, and frozen. then when I restart it suddenly show darwin or something like that mode like dos. unfortunately I just lost original disk. so if I purchase mac os x 10.5 retail version, will it work? it is really sucks why only original disk works with macbook you bought? windows doesn't have that kind of issue.

Just buy new restore discs. Thats how most OEM's deal with these kind of issues. You should never have to buy a retail disc unless you are actually upgrading to a higher version of the OS - there is no reason to do that considering that you loose access to all of the origional software that is included like iLife.

Not to mention that restore discs its cheaper and you know it will work.

 

[old-wiz]

And fulfillment restore disks are a lot cheaper ($40 for the pair) than Leopard Retail ($130).

 

[DonEHo]

You cannot install a Mac OS X 10.5 on a MacBook because is made for a Mac PowerPC Powerbook with a Motorola processor not an Intel processor. The last Powerbook ended in 2006 and was replaced with MacBook and MacBook Pro both with Intel processors.

 

[DeltaMac]

You cannot install a Mac OS X 10.5 on a MacBook because is made for a Mac PowerPC Powerbook with a Motorola processor not an Intel processor. The last Powerbook ended in 2006 and was replaced with MacBook and MacBook Pro both with Intel processors.

You may not have noticed that this thread was from 10 years ago.
Your info is just a bit inaccurate, as the first MacBooks (from early 2006) came with OS X 10.4.6 (Tiger)
MacBooks were sold for almost two years before OS X 10.5 (Leopard) was released, in October 2007.
And, Leopard was unique, as it was a universal install. The same installer could be used on both PowerPC, and Intel Macs -- as long as that particular Mac supported Leopard.
On the other hand, OS X 10.4.x (Tiger) had different versions of the installer for either PowerPC, or Intel Macs. Apple never released a universal version of Tiger that could be installed on both PowerPC and Intel.

Finally, if Leopard won't install on Intel, I wonder how I got my 2008 MacBook to install Leopard? Seems to work fine for me!