Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Snow Leopard install problem - can't choose drive after reboot
- Thread starter psxguru
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Try resetting your PRAM:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug your computer for 30 seconds.
3. Plug back in.
4. Turn on your computer while pressing the following 4 keys: Command-Option-P-R.
5. Keep holding until you here three chimes.
6. Allow to boot.
7. Reboot while holding key "c" while the DVD is in your drive.
Read it elsewhere and worked for me.
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug your computer for 30 seconds.
3. Plug back in.
4. Turn on your computer while pressing the following 4 keys: Command-Option-P-R.
5. Keep holding until you here three chimes.
6. Allow to boot.
7. Reboot while holding key "c" while the DVD is in your drive.
Read it elsewhere and worked for me.
A fix that worked for me, Snow Leopard Install, Disk not found
Thanks so much for this hint, this worked first time for me!!
Try resetting your PRAM:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug your computer for 30 seconds.
3. Plug back in.
4. Turn on your computer while pressing the following 4 keys: Command-Option-P-R.
5. Keep holding until you here three chimes.
6. Allow to boot.
7. Reboot while holding key "c" while the DVD is in your drive.
Read it elsewhere and worked for me.
Thanks so much for this hint, this worked first time for me!!
Count me in too
I'm having the EXACT same problem, where the hard drive does not even show up after restart...and her computer was upgraded to the 320GB drive, model #WD3200BEVT. Of course it's the 5400 RPM model. Since she has the newer computer, we upgraded her RAM to 4GB at the same time. Now, I also upgraded my Macbook Pro to a 320GB drive, BUT it's a 7200 RPM drive (since I have an older model that could only take up to 3GB of RAM, thought that would help to compensate a little)...model #WD3200BJKT.
I'm guessing, with all of this feedback on this forum, that it has to be a problem reading the hard drive. I thought I tried just about everything, and some of you had tried things I hadn't thought of.
If ANYONE knows how to fix this problem, please post! Of course, I didn't read the entire string if this has already been fixed...
yeah I replaced the original drive with a Western Digital 320Gb too (WD3200BEVT). Can't see why it would affect the installer though!
I'm having the EXACT same problem, where the hard drive does not even show up after restart...and her computer was upgraded to the 320GB drive, model #WD3200BEVT. Of course it's the 5400 RPM model. Since she has the newer computer, we upgraded her RAM to 4GB at the same time. Now, I also upgraded my Macbook Pro to a 320GB drive, BUT it's a 7200 RPM drive (since I have an older model that could only take up to 3GB of RAM, thought that would help to compensate a little)...model #WD3200BJKT.
I'm guessing, with all of this feedback on this forum, that it has to be a problem reading the hard drive. I thought I tried just about everything, and some of you had tried things I hadn't thought of.
If ANYONE knows how to fix this problem, please post! Of course, I didn't read the entire string if this has already been fixed...
A Fix
For those who are having the problem with the Western Digital hard drive (model# WD3200BEVT) not showing up after the initial restart while installing Snow Leopard, here is a work around (for those of us who do not want to remove it from the laptop to work on it!):
1. Need a second Mac
2. 1 Firewire to Firewire cable
3. Connect the two computers together via the Firewire cable
4. Restart the computer with the hard drive issue while holding down the "T" key (the computer will restart with a large Firewire symbol on the screen and will essentially be a slave to the 2nd Mac).
5. Insert the Snow Leopard install disc into the 2ND MAC you have connected via Firewire to the Mac with the hard drive issue.
6. Start the Snow Leopard installation process on the 2nd Mac. NOTE: you will have the choice to install it onto the computer connected via Firewire...so do that when it asks you both times (initially and after the 1st restart).
7. Run full installation process. When complete, the 2nd Mac will be running off of the 1st Mac's system. Just eject the install disc, disconnect the Firewire, and restart both computers.
Should be good to go!!
Want to give a plug: If you are looking for anything Mac related and live in the area, please visit MacOutfitters in Doylestown, PA. They are an authorized Apple retailer!
For those who are having the problem with the Western Digital hard drive (model# WD3200BEVT) not showing up after the initial restart while installing Snow Leopard, here is a work around (for those of us who do not want to remove it from the laptop to work on it!):
1. Need a second Mac
2. 1 Firewire to Firewire cable
3. Connect the two computers together via the Firewire cable
4. Restart the computer with the hard drive issue while holding down the "T" key (the computer will restart with a large Firewire symbol on the screen and will essentially be a slave to the 2nd Mac).
5. Insert the Snow Leopard install disc into the 2ND MAC you have connected via Firewire to the Mac with the hard drive issue.
6. Start the Snow Leopard installation process on the 2nd Mac. NOTE: you will have the choice to install it onto the computer connected via Firewire...so do that when it asks you both times (initially and after the 1st restart).
7. Run full installation process. When complete, the 2nd Mac will be running off of the 1st Mac's system. Just eject the install disc, disconnect the Firewire, and restart both computers.
Should be good to go!!
Want to give a plug: If you are looking for anything Mac related and live in the area, please visit MacOutfitters in Doylestown, PA. They are an authorized Apple retailer!
Success on a MacPro - Boot from CD
I had a similar problem. I was unable to install on new disks added to a Mac Pro. Apple support was great. Just boot from the install CD and all drives are available for install.
- Insert Snow Leopard CD
- Restart
- Hold "c" after the chime
- Proceed with install
I had a similar problem. I was unable to install on new disks added to a Mac Pro. Apple support was great. Just boot from the install CD and all drives are available for install.
- Insert Snow Leopard CD
- Restart
- Hold "c" after the chime
- Proceed with install
Snow Leopard install problem-can't choose drive after reboot
YES, THIS WORKED OUT FOR ME AS WELL, to solve the issue on a MacBook Air (1.6 Ghz). Thanks for posting this solution.
Try resetting your PRAM:
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug your computer for 30 seconds.
3. Plug back in.
4. Turn on your computer while pressing the following 4 keys: Command-Option-P-R.
5. Keep holding until you here three chimes.
6. Allow to boot.
7. Reboot while holding key "c" while the DVD is in your drive.
Read it elsewhere and worked for me.
YES, THIS WORKED OUT FOR ME AS WELL, to solve the issue on a MacBook Air (1.6 Ghz). Thanks for posting this solution.
Figured it out Western Digital wd3200bevt install
Go in and partition the drive as GUID, then partition it back to one partition (if you want) and then it will recognize the drive and install.
And I know little or nothing about computers. Amazing what a little messing around will do.
Go in and partition the drive as GUID, then partition it back to one partition (if you want) and then it will recognize the drive and install.
And I know little or nothing about computers. Amazing what a little messing around will do.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.