This document provides troubleshooting tips for common installation questions. The topics discussed in this document are:
I. If the computer does not have a CD-ROM drive
II. If you cannot start up the computer from CD
III. "Installer cannot repair your hard disk" message
IV. "Update firmware" message
V. Installer cannot update non-Apple hard disks
VI. "Not Enough Memory" to install message
VII. "Not Enough Disk Space" to install message
VIII. "System File Cannot Be Modified" message
IX. "Item Cannot Be Replaced" message
X. "Installation Was Not Successful" message
XI. "Must boot with the Mac OS CD" message
XII. "Big System Morsels" message
You can install the Mac OS using a CD-ROM drive attached to another Macintosh. Connect both computers to a network, then use file sharing to access the CD from across the network. See the onscreen Help for information about using file sharing with your computer.
To ensure a trouble-free installation, turn off any disk security or virus-protection software you have installed. Then use the Extensions Manager control panel to turn off non-Apple extensions and control panels. Make sure you have AppleShare extension 3.6.4 or later (a copy is available on the Mac OS CD; install it if necessary). See the onscreen Help for information about using the Extensions Manager control panel.
After you've turned off the extensions, restart your computer, then open the Installer and install the Mac OS. Following this process will help ensure that incompatible extensions don't interfere with the installation process.
After the installation is finished, you can turn on your extensions and virus-protection software.
Please note that this process will not work if your Mac cannot boot from a local hard drive. This process also won't update the volume you are booted from.
With the CD inserted, open the Startup Disk control panel and click the CD icon in the Startup Disk window. Then restart the computer and install the Mac OS. After installation, use the Startup Disk control panel to reselect your hard disk, then restart your computer.
See technical document 60203, "Mac OS 8/9: The Installer Cannot Repair Your Hard Disk."
See technical document 60643, "Mac OS 9: Update Firmware Before Installing."
Use the disk utility recommended by the manufacturer of your hard disk to update your drivers before installing the Mac OS. Make sure to get a version of the utility that is compatible with the software you are installing. An old utility will not be able to update your disk with the most current driver.
Make sure you've started up your computer from the Mac OS CD. If you can't start up from the CD, quit all open applications and make sure you've followed the steps described in "You Can't Start Up the Computer Using the Mac OS CD" above.
Make more space available on your hard disk by removing some files from the disk. Copy the files you want to keep to another disk, then drag them to the Trash and choose Empty Trash from the Special menu to delete the files. You don't need to quit the Installer before you remove files from the disk.
Make sure that you've started up your computer using the Mac OS CD. If you can't start up from the CD, make sure any security and virus-protection software is turned off.
The Installer is attempting to replace a file, but there is a folder on the disk that has the same name as the file being replaced. (Files cannot replace folders.) Find the folder on your disk and rename it, then try the installation again.
Make sure that you've started up your computer using the Mac OS CD. If you can't start up from the CD, make sure any security and virus-protection software is turned off. Press and hold the Shift key while starting up from the Install disc to disable extensions; try the installation again.
If you are installing Mac OS 9 after Mac OS X, this message appears: "To install this software you must boot with the Mac OS CD". See technical document 106244, "Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.0: "To install this software you must boot with the Mac OS CD" Message."
See technical document 25222, "Mac OS 9: "Big System Morsels" Error During Installation."