Mac OS X install disks?

I have two iMacs, an older 2008 iMac which is running an Intel Core 2 Duo and Snow Leopard, and my new 2010 iMac with an Intel Core i3 and Snow Leopard also. I would like to re-install Mac OS X Snow Leopard on the older iMac but don't have the disks that came with it. Can I use the disks that came with my new Mac?

asked Jan 31 '11 at 22:07

TomMaxwell
1.6k●94●104●122

4 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

OS X install discs which ship with a machine are 100% tailored to that machine. It will never, ever, work on a machine that does not have (if I recall correctly) the exact same specifications. It may be limited to the same model (Macbook, iMac, et.al), but definitely not from a 2008 iMac to a 2010 iMac. No dice, I'm afraid.

answered Jan 31 '11 at 22:19

Midnightblues
181●3●3●7

This sounds kinda weird.. you can always get drivers through software update (you can even go online through the install disk).

(Jan 31 '11 at 23:34) yeahmeknows

This is nonsense. Who in there right mind would do such a stupid thing. I can't believe that this answer is marked the right answer. The installation dvd that comes with every Mac is usable on all Macs. The only piece of hardware that could involve here is the CPU. And there it's only the difference between PowerPC and Intel.

(Feb 01 '11 at 08:34) nitrocrime

Amen to you nitrocrime.

(Feb 02 '11 at 02:54) yeahmeknows

I'm only speaking from experience. The DVD which shipped with my Macbook Pro will not install on a machine which is not a Macbook Pro (I've tried.) I also made the assumption after reading it on Apple's discussion forums, and because of the fact that an iMac 2010 DVD won't install on an iMac from 2008. (Example, it's not JUST that instance.)

No need to be harsh.

(Feb 03 '11 at 22:13) Midnightblues

The dvd that comes with your computer is 100% the same as the retail dvd. You can place it in which ever Mac that has either the PowerPC CPU or the Intel CPU based on the OS that you want to install. People saying it is bound to that Mac are idiots. No person in there right mind would ever do such a thing. And people who say they do are haters that try to mess with you.

I've even used my Snow Leopard dvd on a Mac that was 2-2.5 years old and had the Intel CPU. It worked like a charm!

answered Feb 01 '11 at 08:36

nitrocrime
3.6k●62●77●125

edited Feb 01 '11 at 08:39

Hence why I said what I said nitrocrime...! LOL If the DVD was "bound and gagged" to that Mac, you wouldn't be able to buy it in retail stores.

Hell, you've got PC users putting Snow Leopard on non-Apple PC's, and some of those installs work just fine. You're good to try it at least.

(Feb 01 '11 at 13:01) Rizzy

Whoops didn't read that.

And I don't understand what you've meant with your second paragraph.

(Feb 01 '11 at 13:52) nitrocrime

People have lately been finding ways to get Snow Leopard working on what was "once" a Windows PC. Therefore, it can be put on a machine "not" specific to the actual install media.

(Feb 01 '11 at 17:16) Rizzy

1	Usually NO the install disks are for a certain machine, Unless they are the exact same mac you can't interchange disks. answered Jan 31 '11 at 22:17 Amy Salerno 16●1 You beat me to it :( (Jan 31 '11 at 22:17) fncwill

0	If that's the case, then why can Apple users by a stand-alone version of Snow Leopard in retail stores for their iMac? answered Jan 31 '11 at 22:36 Rizzy 4.4k●19●42●89

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