I called Applecare, and arranged a replacement DVD to be sent out. Took 5 mins - you should try it, and save time and speculation.
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Snow Leopard - Install Failed Again and Again!
- Thread starter chaseerry
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I've got it narrowed down to the iMac now. I have tried 3 different Snow Leopard install discs - all whom failed.
I'm having the same problem with my 2-3 year old iMac (Core 2 Duo). I was trying for a clean install. With the failed installation, I am left with a computer that only boots from the Snow Leopard install disk.
I have tried reformatting the drive, repaired the drive, as well as partitioned and unpartitioned the drive. The install disk did install an external portable drive using the same computer.
Tonight I will try re-installing again using a disk image instead of the original install disk.
I have tried reformatting the drive, repaired the drive, as well as partitioned and unpartitioned the drive. The install disk did install an external portable drive using the same computer.
Tonight I will try re-installing again using a disk image instead of the original install disk.
One more failed iMac SL install
I have a late 2006 iMac and cannot get SL to install. Every time I try something different I still get the "Could not install the necessary support files" error. Here is what I have tried:
- Clean install of SL on erased drive (including a 7-pass erase), fail.
- Installed Leopard, then upgrade, fail.
- installed Tiger even, then upgrade, fail.
- Thought I had bad DVD, returned it to Apple store, new disk but same problems.
- tried my friend's disk that worked on his MB, failed.
-Per AppleCare rep I reset my SMC and PRAM, tried clean install, failed.
- Hard Drive verification cheks out fone.
- Permissions, fine.
- Apple Care reps now tell me that they are out of ideas and that I should bring it to the store, but I have found that the store "geniuses" are usually NOT that.
The only thing I have not tried is booting from an external drive. Have other iMac users with these problems with SL had success this way? I mean I don't like the fact that anytime I want to reinstall my operating software that I will have to go through this circus.
Any other ideas to try? What has worked for others?
Help!
I have a late 2006 iMac and cannot get SL to install. Every time I try something different I still get the "Could not install the necessary support files" error. Here is what I have tried:
- Clean install of SL on erased drive (including a 7-pass erase), fail.
- Installed Leopard, then upgrade, fail.
- installed Tiger even, then upgrade, fail.
- Thought I had bad DVD, returned it to Apple store, new disk but same problems.
- tried my friend's disk that worked on his MB, failed.
-Per AppleCare rep I reset my SMC and PRAM, tried clean install, failed.
- Hard Drive verification cheks out fone.
- Permissions, fine.
- Apple Care reps now tell me that they are out of ideas and that I should bring it to the store, but I have found that the store "geniuses" are usually NOT that.
The only thing I have not tried is booting from an external drive. Have other iMac users with these problems with SL had success this way? I mean I don't like the fact that anytime I want to reinstall my operating software that I will have to go through this circus.
Any other ideas to try? What has worked for others?
Help!
We are in the same boat. And just FYI: I have tried installing from 3 different dmg's and all have failed on the iMac - but have worked flawlessly on my MacBook.
Something is wrong with our iMac hardware!
Let us know how your install goes tonight. I am monitoring this thread closely.
How old is your iMac? I have an older iMac (Core Duo) and SL installed flawlessly. It's just this particular one (Core 2 Duo 2.16GHz).
Exact same problem here.
I have yet to figure out a way to install Snow Leopard on my iMac (2.4GHz, 20inch).
I installed Snow Leopard onto my iPod yesterday, then tried to boot from it using the iMac and it just sat there at the Apple logo with a spinning progress circle.
So frustrating.
For me, it's not a faulty install disk or CD Drive. I used the same disk in the same CD drive to install SL on an external portable hard drive. I am suspecting a bad internal HD though.
I am able to install Leopard and Tiger from disk though...that is why I do not suspect the disc drive.
scratch what i wrote here
Also, I tried installing from Remote Disc with the SL disc in my MacBook - to the iMac. Installer got halfway then said Install Failed. Jeez.
Something hardware wise with the iMac is not meeting Snow Leopard's expectations. Or at least I am believing. I have zeroed out the possibility of it being the Snow Leopard disc's fault.
Also, I tried installing from Remote Disc with the SL disc in my MacBook - to the iMac. Installer got halfway then said Install Failed. Jeez.
Something hardware wise with the iMac is not meeting Snow Leopard's expectations. Or at least I am believing. I have zeroed out the possibility of it being the Snow Leopard disc's fault.
weird SL install events
anyone having issues installing this new piece of OS?
I've twice run the disc to install as per instructions, and I get as far as the pane that say 'installation will continue after your computer restarts' - but it don't.
it restarts and there's 10.5.8 as it always was.
no Snow Leopard - just a few packages in a folder called 'Mac OS X Install data'
what gives? is this thing a Snow Lemon or what.
next course of action is to backup erase and do a clean install of SL
seems a bit pointless and time consuming if you ask me.
what's the story Apple?????
(I'm using a current model MBA with a LaCie external HD connected via the usb)
__________________
anyone having issues installing this new piece of OS?
I've twice run the disc to install as per instructions, and I get as far as the pane that say 'installation will continue after your computer restarts' - but it don't.
it restarts and there's 10.5.8 as it always was.
no Snow Leopard - just a few packages in a folder called 'Mac OS X Install data'
what gives? is this thing a Snow Lemon or what.
next course of action is to backup erase and do a clean install of SL
seems a bit pointless and time consuming if you ask me.
what's the story Apple?????
(I'm using a current model MBA with a LaCie external HD connected via the usb)
__________________
Got exactly the same problem. Using a .dmg of 10a432 that i burned to a DL DVD. Very eager to hear any solutions to that.
I'm not sure if this will work for any of you, but I was having similar install problems. The only thing I could get to work is to install from a different computer. If at all possible, connect via firewire a functional mac to the mac on which you want to install SL. Boot up the computer you want SL installed on in target disk mode (start up with the t pressed down until the firewire sign appears). Put the install disk in the other computer and start installation. The difference is that you will select the drive of the computer onto which you want to install SL. The install will still want to close all apps and will restart the computer that is NOT in target disk mode (in fact, I think the restart part of the process is where the problems arise) and continue the installation (in my case for another 45 mins).
It takes forever, but it does get the job done. SL is worth it, IMO, with the exception of the new quicktime.
It takes forever, but it does get the job done. SL is worth it, IMO, with the exception of the new quicktime.
Okay apparently I can't even install 10.5 Leopard from disc either.
This time it gave a much different Install Failed message. I'm an idiot and didn't jot down what it said
. EDIT: it said something about basesystem. Any suggestions on this!?
I am really starting to point the finger at my internal hard drive.
I am currently waiting for the iMac to finish "zeroing-out" the hard drive. Something I should have tried from the get go. If it continues to refuse installations then i am buying a new hard drive for the iMac.
Will update when it finishes erasing.
This time it gave a much different Install Failed message. I'm an idiot and didn't jot down what it said
. EDIT: it said something about basesystem. Any suggestions on this!?I am really starting to point the finger at my internal hard drive.
I am currently waiting for the iMac to finish "zeroing-out" the hard drive. Something I should have tried from the get go. If it continues to refuse installations then i am buying a new hard drive for the iMac.
Will update when it finishes erasing.
Zeroed out the hard drive and proceeded to install Snow Leopard from DVD disc.
Install Failed: Could not copy the necessary support files.
Will try just installing 10.5 Leopard tomorrow. If it does not work I'm buying a new hard drive.
Install Failed: Could not copy the necessary support files.
Will try just installing 10.5 Leopard tomorrow. If it does not work I'm buying a new hard drive.
PROBLEM SOLVED
It was indeed a stick of RAM! Low and behold it was the other stick that I did not take out last night when troubleshooting. Took it out tonight and Snow Leopard installed in no time.
I have since reinstalled the RAM and the computer recognizes it, and all is great!
It was indeed a stick of RAM! Low and behold it was the other stick that I did not take out last night when troubleshooting. Took it out tonight and Snow Leopard installed in no time.
I have since reinstalled the RAM and the computer recognizes it, and all is great!
I would change out that stick of RAM as soon as possible then. RAM isn't just going to affect a system install. You may not even see the results of it's interference immediately, but since everything you use on your computer is loaded into RAM, it will cause more problems on an ongoing basis.
jW
No it's not great if that RAM is really defective as it can cause widespread corruption and other problems such as the lockups, freezes and other issues that people seem to be complaining about.
Unless you feel that the module was simply not seated correctly, your best option would be to replace both sticks with a new kit to be on the safe side.
From last night:
1) Leopard install worked but computer went into an endless loop at restart
2) A follow-up install from the SL UTD Disk failed (not SL Box Set Disk)
3) Zero'ed out install failed.
Tonight I'm going to try:
1) Replace RAM
2) Replace Hard Drive
3) Throw the iMac out the window
What I don't understand is, if it's in fact a RAM problem, why was I able to install SL on an external hard drive from the same computer.
1) Leopard install worked but computer went into an endless loop at restart
2) A follow-up install from the SL UTD Disk failed (not SL Box Set Disk)
3) Zero'ed out install failed.
Tonight I'm going to try:
1) Replace RAM
2) Replace Hard Drive
3) Throw the iMac out the window
What I don't understand is, if it's in fact a RAM problem, why was I able to install SL on an external hard drive from the same computer.
From last night:
1) Leopard install worked but computer went into an endless loop at restart
2) A follow-up install from the SL UTD Disk failed (not SL Box Set Disk)
3) Zero'ed out install failed.
Tonight I'm going to try:
1) Replace RAM
2) Replace Hard Drive
3) Throw the iMac out the window
What I don't understand is, if it's in fact a RAM problem, why was I able to install SL on an external hard drive from the same computer.
I've seen faulty RAM behave in bizarre and unpredictable ways. In fact, sometimes it will work 9 times in a row for the same activity and then fail the 10th time.