Macbook won't install OSX 10.5 nor OSX 10.4 Restore Disc

[bbrown3100]

I bought OSX 10.5 Leopard about 3weeks ago and still have not been able to install it onto my macbook. When I put the disc in for the first time I went through the standard procedure of clicking install OSX and then restart when it restarts however it goes to the Grey screen with the apple and the spinning loading symbol and just sits there forever.

I thought it was the disc so I took it back and ended up with the exact same problem. I then thought maybe I should just use my factory disc and wipe out everything on the hard drive. It gave me the same problem as trying to install Leopard.

Then I thought maybe it was my CD/DVD drive. Nope! It perfectly played a DVD and I was able to install Photoshop CS4 through the CD/DVD drive as well.

A Month later I am stock with a Macbook that won't budge. I am no longer under warranty so I am trying to see if there is a way that I can fix this problem first before taking it to the apple store where I know I will get charged...I love Apple but I must confess this task would be easier to complete on a PC.

I tried going to disk Utility and erasing the drive and that did not work either because it doesn't give me the ability to click the erase button when I click the Hard Drive. I got this computer from my friend's sister and apparently I am finding out that she had the computer's Hard Drive partitioned and running Windows XP on it on the TIGER OS.

I am not sure if this has anything to do with it but I think it may be a factor as to why the OS disc both Leopard and Tiger (factory disc) will not write to the hard drive. I'm thinking maybe there are some permissions or something not allowing it to write to the drive or something to that nature.

My idea is to wipe out the Hard Drive completely I don't need anything that is on it I already backed it all up. But how would I do this? Is there a program I can use? Can I take the hard drive out and take it to a computer repair store and they hook it up to something erases it all? or should I buy a $40 HD from eBay for the macbook?

If anyone knows how to fix this without spending money at all it would be greatly appreciated. I don't see why I can't just erase everything off the Hard Drive like a PC. A couple clicks with a PC and bam! You have a brand new factory computer.

 

[JediMeister]

First question: do you have another Mac? If so, does it have FireWire? If you're two for two, boot the MacBook in target disk mode (hold down 'T' with it connected to the other system with a FireWire cable), launch Disk Utility on the system you have it connected to, format the MacBook FireWire-connected drive. You also should be able to install Leopard in target disk mode as well. If you cannot boot to any OS disc you're kinda SOL.

 

[blktauna]

Are you saying that when you boot from the install DVD, that Disk Utility does not allow you to erase the target drive?

 

[bbrown3100]

Are you saying that when you boot from the install DVD, that Disk Utility does not allow you to erase the target drive?

I'm saying when I boot up normally and go to disk utility I can't erase the target drive. I have not tried booting from the install DVD and erasing the target drive. I will try that right now and tell you how that goes.

 

[bbrown3100]

First question: do you have another Mac? If so, does it have FireWire? If you're two for two, boot the MacBook in target disk mode (hold down 'T' with it connected to the other system with a FireWire cable), launch Disk Utility on the system you have it connected to, format the MacBook FireWire-connected drive. You also should be able to install Leopard in target disk mode as well. If you cannot boot to any OS disc you're kinda SOL.

After I try BlackTauna's suggestion and that doesn't work I will try this. My friend has a macbook also and a fire wire cable so I will give it a try if this doesn't work. Thank you both for your suggestions I really do appreciate it.

 

[Rico S]

Hi, I have a similar problem, My boss gave me his macbook with a bad hard drive and bought a new macbook but he lost the original disks for the one he gave me, i tried installing os x 10.5.2 that came with the new one and was able to format and partition the new HD that i puershased for it but then i get the error message saying it cannot be install on this computer. It has 2 512 ram of memory but I dont know how fast of processor or if its intel. How do i find out what version of OS i need. or can I put my hard drive in his mac run setup then install the HD in mine would it work? Please anyone!

 

[gauchogolfer]

Hi, I have a similar problem, My boss gave me his macbook with a bad hard drive and bought a new macbook but he lost the original disks for the one he gave me, i tried installing os x 10.5.2 that came with the new one and was able to format and partition the new HD that i puershased for it but then i get the error message saying it cannot be install on this computer. It has 2 512 ram of memory but I dont know how fast of processor or if its intel. How do i find out what version of OS i need. or can I put my hard drive in his mac run setup then install the HD in mine would it work? Please anyone!

You should be able to use a standard 10.5 install disc that you purchase. It doesn't matter what kind of Macbook you have.