Windows will install, but OS X won't...

[AL1630]

I got a 2009 i7 iMac cheap from a friend that was upgrading, and I formatted the hard drive. When I went to install Snow Leopard from a CD, It would get part way through, then the install would fail. I've used this disc recently in other macs, and it works fine. I tried to install windows 7 from a CD just for kicks, and it works perfectly. Anyone know what the problem might be?

 

[MacDawg]

What format did you use on the HD?

 

[AL1630]

Right before attempting to install OS X I formatted it as OS X Extended (Journaled), and Windows is NTFS.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Tell us about the CD. Is it a genuine or a hemm hemm 'copy'?

If it is the 27" model it requires a minimum OS X.6.1 system disc or a retail install DVD. Version X.6 would not work. Also if you used BootCamp should have put OS X on first, and if you allowed the Windows install to format the drive NTFS without creating partitions, OS X will not install on NTFS.

Suggest the cart is in front of the horse maybe?

 

[AL1630]

It's the genuine 10.6.3 retail disk. I tried OS X first, and when that didn't work I decided to try Windows just to see if I could get a usable computer.

 

[old-wiz]

partition table type?

 

[AL1630]

GUID.

 

[Fishrrman]

Try creating a bootable USB flash drive with the Mountain Lion (10.8) installer (assuming you can find it). El Capitan might also work.

Then,
- boot from the flashdrive
- NUKE THE DRIVE BACK TO ZERO (Mac OS extended with journaling enabled)
- Try a Mac OS install "from there"...

 

[Significant1]

If it is a 27", it support High Sierra and you might as well install that right away and be on a supported OS. (typing this on 2009 27" running High Sierra)

 

[AL1630]

Ok, I tried an El Capitan USB and it worked. Not sure why the CD didn't though, it worked fine on a different computer last week. I'll try the High Sierra Upgrade and see if it works.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

If it has an SSD sure go with High Sierra. If a slower platter drive suggest leaving it at El Capitan.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If you have El Capitan running ok, I'd advise against an attempted High Sierra install.

Leave well enough alone!

 

[Significant1]

OP:

If you have El Capitan running ok, I'd advise against an attempted High Sierra install.

Leave well enough alone!

El Capitan is unsupported. I have High Sierra running very well on an 2009 27" Imac.

 

[Fishrrman]

"El Capitan is unsupported"

This is NONSENSE.
El Cap is still receiving security updates, if that matters to you.

Frankly, it DOESN'T "matter" to me. I use whatever OS I wish, and don't give a hoot about "security". Not something I worry about.

 

[Significant1]

"El Capitan is unsupported"

This is NONSENSE.
El Cap is still receiving security updates, if that matters to you.

Frankly, it DOESN'T "matter" to me. I use whatever OS I wish, and don't give a hoot about "security". Not something I worry about.

Ok. Half a year more if security updates, if apple support two previous versions. It's ok not to be first mover, of you worry about stability (I do), but then go with Sierra. I really see no point in El Capitan at this point with a clean install. But then again, after more than a half year old fixes, I would not call High Sierra a first mover installation either. I myself waited till early January before upgrading from Sierra.