This should be easier...

[LithiumRage158]

So, I decide to sell old 2007 White MacBook. Buyer wants Leopard installed on it because they have software that is only compatible with Leopard. Okay, that's fine, I'll pop in the install disc that came with the machine (10.5.6).

Forward through the setup language screen and then get the error "Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer."

Ugh. Pop out hard drive, stick it in external enclosure. Follow the instructions to the T in this video: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCZu23C8a78"]‪How to Install and Boot Mac OSX Leopard or Snow Leopard on an External Hard Drive‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

At the 3:02 mark in the video, when following that step, Disk Utility will allow me to drag the image to the Source field, and allows me to select the Destination. However, when I click restore and enter my password, I get the error "Restore Failure: Could not find any scan information. The source image needs to be imagescanned before it can be restored."

Okay, so I select the source image, click on Images in the Menu Bar, click on "Scan Image for Restore". Enter password. Get error "Unable to scan Mac OS X Install DVD.cdr. (invalid argument)".

I'm stuck and very frustrated at this point. However, I really need to sell this system, and the buyer says they will buy as soon as Leopard is installed. Googled around, can't really find much for installing to an external drive. Any help is appreciated.

 

[NetJunkie]

If it's saying it cannot be installed on this computer that means that disc didn't come with that system. Pack-in discs are pretty system dependent. You can't use them on other models.

 

[ToastyBread]

Are you sure that the install disk you have is actually for that machine?

You mentioned that it's a 2007 MacBook, but that the install disk that apparently came with it is 10.5.6. The only issue I have with that is that Leopard 10.5.6 didn't come out nor start shipping with new systems until late 2008, and given there were a couple of MacBook hardware updates in 2008, there's seemingly no way that that late 2007 MacBook would have come with it (unless it was purchased as a Apple refurb). If it wasn't a refurb, it had to have come with a different installation disk.

 

[DeChache]

Convert the Disk Image to a .dmg and then scan for restore and then restore to a USB drive.

 

[CKMorpheus]

Did you format (erase) the drive via Disk Utility before attempting to install Leopard?

Boot from the disc, under Utilities, click Disk Utility. Format the drive Mac OS Extended (Journaled), and then install it. No probs bob.

 

[LithiumRage158]

Are you sure that the install disk you have is actually for that machine?

You mentioned that it's a 2007 MacBook, but that the install disk that apparently came with it is 10.5.6. The only issue I have with that is that Leopard 10.5.6 didn't come out nor start shipping with new systems until late 2008, and given there were a couple of MacBook hardware updates in 2008, there's seemingly no way that that late 2007 MacBook would have come with it (unless it was purchased as a Apple refurb). If it wasn't a refurb, it had to have come with a different installation disk.

I think you could be on to something here. I have the discs from my grandmother's MacBook, and I thought they were the discs for mine. That explains that.

So how much is Apple going to charge me for a replacement? If it's ridiculous, I'll just try and sell it to someone else.

 

[NetJunkie]

Just go buy the SL upgrade for $29. It'll install on a bare system.

 

[DSLisFREE]

This is something I hate about apple. I have a 2x 13" unibody macbook pro, one from 2010 , the other from 2011 and I cannot use the installation disks interchangeably.

 

[LithiumRage158]

Just go buy the SL upgrade for $29. It'll install on a bare system.

I have the SL upgrade, problem is, the customer actually WANTS Leopard because of some goofy coupon printing software his wife uses. It's no deal if I can't get it installed on the system.

This is something I hate about apple. I have a 2x 13" unibody macbook pro, one from 2010 , the other from 2011 and I cannot use the installation disks interchangeably.

Yeah, this is lame. I thought those OS X discs were generic.

 

[ToastyBread]

So how much is Apple going to charge me for a replacement? If it's ridiculous, I'll just try and sell it to someone else.

Do you happen to know anyone at all who happens to have a retail copy of Leopard? Maybe send out an email to any friends who have been long-time Mac users, or put up a Facebook post asking if anyone has one.

Otherwise, just check Craig's List for if anyone is selling a used copy locally, or worst-case call the Apple store, say that you had upgraded to Snow Leopard but that some software you need is Leopard-only and that unfortunately you need to go back but don't have the original installation disks. The Genius Bar might be able to help you out with a copy they have lying around.

 

[LithiumRage158]

Update on the system: Took it to Genius Bar to have the top cover assembly/bezel replaced (one of the MacBooks that had the palm rest cracking problem). Told Genius the story as to why there's no OS on the system, and he said they actually don't even sell Leopard replacement discs anymore. After that he was like "Well, we keep a copy around just in case. I'll install it for you as soon as I get that plastic replaced". Very awesome. Consider me one very satisfied customer.

 

[Pogo]

thats awesome of them to do that. cool starry bra

 

[shoota]

And people wonder why apple is raking in record profits.. I'd like to see Dell help out someone like apple did in this situation.

 

[ToastyBread]

Update on the system: Took it to Genius Bar to have the top cover assembly/bezel replaced (one of the MacBooks that had the palm rest cracking problem). Told Genius the story as to why there's no OS on the system, and he said they actually don't even sell Leopard replacement discs anymore. After that he was like "Well, we keep a copy around just in case. I'll install it for you as soon as I get that plastic replaced". Very awesome. Consider me one very satisfied customer.

Very cool. I figured they probably had a Leopard copy lying around. Although it's fairly rare now, you still see PPC systems come in from time to time, which generally necessitates Leopard or something earlier being around in case an OS install has to occur.

And people wonder why apple is raking in record profits.. I'd like to see Dell help out someone like apple did in this situation.

I'm sorry, but while I do think Apple in-person customer support is generally above most others, pretty much every PC company has stories of people going above and beyond to help.

As for Apple's profits, it has more to do with ridiculous margins and less with customers seeing the quality of their customer service . I mean, a recent study showed that roughly 1/3rd of iPhone users think they're already on 4G for their phone connection since the phone is an "iPhone 4". That should speak to the intelligence of the general consumer...

 

[CEpeep]

I mean, a recent study showed that roughly 1/3rd of iPhone users think they're already on 4G for their phone connection since the phone is an "iPhone 4". That should speak to the intelligence of the general consumer...

In that same survey, 29% of Android owners also responded the same way (that they "already own" a 4G phone), compared to 34% of iPhone users. Only 24% of BlackBerry users said they already had 4G. To me, these numbers are ridiculously high across all mobile devices, not just the iPhone.

http://www.retrevo.com/content/blog/2011/07/confusion-and-skepticism-may-impede-4g-adoption