Will the grey mac os x install disc that came with my iMac work with my other iMac?

[bender644]

I could just try it, but I want to know if anyone's done it. Basically, is it possible to install Snow Leopard with the grey install disc that came with an iMac on another iMac that only came with Leopard? I know technically you have to pay for a licence, but will it work?

Thanks.

 

[r.j.s]

No.

 

[MacDawg]

They would likely need to be the exact same model and specs

 

[iLog.Genius]

Nope. The OS disc that came with the computer will only work with computers of the same model (ex. discs from mid-2010 MacBook Pro will work with mid-2010 MacBook Pro). The only thing you can do with an OS disc from another computer is run the utilities.

 

[psedog]

There is a method if your willing to do the legwork to get it working.

Check out this thread
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/859806/

 

[old-wiz]

We definitely need a sticky on this - this question comes up at least once a day, sometimes more.

 

[poiihy]

I have a question
So these grey disks have the complete installer just like the retail version, not specifically designed for a Mac? There is a hack you can do with the blacklists/whitelists to allow it to install on whatever you want, but will it install correctly?

 

[Dave Braine]

So these grey disks have the complete installer just like the retail version, not specifically designed for a Mac?

They are designed for a Mac: the one that they came with.

 

[poiihy]

They are designed for a Mac: the one that they came with.

So the entire OS is specifically tweaked for the computer it was made for and has all the drivers and stuff for it? Or is it just like retail disk with a blacklist so you cannot use it with other macs and get free OS X? Because I saw a hack you do to the blacklists/whitelists to allow the installation on any mac you choose, and it worked, but would it always work? Or are there specific drivers designed for it's own Mac?