Old iMac, can't boot OSX 10.7.3 DVD

[Calab]

I just picked up an old iMac system (5,1). The system uses a 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo and has 2GB of memory. It's currently running OSX 10.5.8.

I'm trying to update this system to OSX Lion 10.7.3, which is the disk that I have for it. When I try to boot the DVD I end up at the prohibited icon. The disk works as I can read it when booted from the hard disk.

Is there a way to upgrade this machine? From what I see online, I should be able to install OSX up to version 10.7.5.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Juicy Box]

Is this a retail disc?

Could it be a upgrade disc? Or the OEM disc that came with a different Mac?

 

[Juicy Box]

It's currently running OSX 10.5.8.

According to Apple's system requirements for their retail disc, you need to be on OSX 10.6.6 to upgrade to Lion using their disc:

OS X Lion 10.7 - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

EDIT: I am unsure if that is a retail disc or digital order. I am pretty sure it is not the disc.

 

[Calab]

According to Apple's system requirements for their retail disc, you need to be on OSX 10.6.6 to upgrade to Lion using their disc

Even to boot from a retail disc and do a clean installation? I'm not trying to start the installation from the 10.5.8 Finder.

 

[Nermal]

EDIT: I am unsure if that is a retail disc or digital order.

It's a download. I don't think there were ever DVDs for 10.7; I think there were some USB installers available at one point but I think the last retail DVD was 10.6.3.

 

[Calab]

Is this a retail disc?

Could it be a upgrade disc? Or the OEM disc that came with a different Mac?

Unfortunately, it's the only disc that came with the system. It's a burned DVD. I don't know how 10.5.8 was installed.

 

[Juicy Box]

I don't think there were ever DVDs for 10.7; I think there were some USB installers available at one point but I think the last retail DVD was 10.6.3.

Then the OP probably has a Lion restore disc that came with a different Mac.

OP: can you post a picture of the Lion disc you have?

I think the last retail DVD was 10.6.3.

This is the last one I have, but I skipped Lion. It was the first OSX version I skipped, but there seemed to be a lot of problems reported about it.

 

[robotica]

Is it possible you are missing a firmware update from a previous update? Maybe try updating to 10.6 then from there to 10.7.

 

[Juicy Box]

It's a burned DVD.

NVM, I missed this the first time.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Try upgrading to 10.6.x "Snow Leopard" first.
It was one of the best Mac OS releases ever.

From that point, you can decide if you want to "go further".
OS 10.7 "Lion" was considered one of Apple's "poorer" releases.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

As the machine can only handle up to OS X.7.5 Lion, suggest following the fisho's advice on staying at Snow Leopard OS X.6 and take it up to OS X.6.8.

 

[Calab]

I got it up to 10.6.8, and then it got hosed during the upgrade the 10.7. Not sure what happened. I'm starting to think that the hardware has issues and I've had some freezes and black screens.

Once the install got hosed I decided to try Mint Linux 20 on it, but the Wifi is not working. Also curious if I can do an installation of Windows 10 on it. I've already got another iMac running El Capitan so don't need this to be running OS X.