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tatar · Jan 4, 2010, 09:25 PM

Hi,
I started an installation on my Mac, from a Panther to Leopard, but I quit the process at the outset. Then I was asked to choose the start up disk, from which the computer should start up, and I chose the HD, with the existing OS X Panther, but the computer didn't finalize restarting, but is now stuck. All I see is a gray monitor, with the Apple logo, and those little black lines are chasing each other in circles, and this is being going on, for like, more then half an hour.
Did I screw up something...?
Thanks.

Aleksandar

ibook_steve · Jan 4, 2010, 09:34 PM

Welcome to our forums!

Have you tried simply force shutting down and reboot? Try command-ctrl-power key to see if you can do a soft reboot or force a shut down by holding down the power button (5-10 seconds) and then starting up again. Worse case scenario is having to reinstall Leopard.

Steve

tatar · Jan 4, 2010, 09:37 PM

Hey Steve,
yes, and the same thing's happening on the screen...

Aleksandar

BLAZE_MkIV · Jan 4, 2010, 10:04 PM

Reboot the machine and hold down the C key. That will make it boot if the DVD drive.

tatar · Jan 4, 2010, 10:13 PM

...If the DVD drive. ?
Were you meant to finish with, inside the computer...?

Aleksandar

Love Calm Quiet · Jan 5, 2010, 05:43 AM

I think he meant:
Reboot the machine and hold down the C key... so it will boot *from* the DVD drive... where you should have inserted your install/upgrade DVD.

Your Mac will boot from that and should be able to install the new system.

Hope it goes better this time!

tatar · Jan 5, 2010, 08:03 PM

Yes, I was thinking about that, the only thing is, I'm not sure, whether this way, I will have all the files and applications intact.

BLAZE_MkIV · Jan 5, 2010, 08:30 PM

Don't format or erase the drive when you install and it should just reinstall over the bad install. Worst case you can back up all your files onto another disk before you go any further.

tatar · Jan 5, 2010, 10:27 PM

But, I'm unable to access anything in the computer, as I have obviously erased the previous OS, when I interrupted the installation of the new one. So now, I may only boot up from the DVD with the new OS, that is in the computer since I've inserted it, I I don't know, how to eject the DVD. I was thinking, as when I boot up from the DVD with the new OS, just to proceed with the installation, as that is the only thing I see when the computer come to, and just try to check archive and install, if that will be the option I will be offered, and install the new OS. If I'm going to have, upon the installation only the new OS on the HD, I was thinking of transferring from my old machine, the applications. Is that all I need to transfer, in order to start using my other computer with the new OS...?

Aleksandar

AKcrab · Jan 5, 2010, 10:48 PM

No. Just install again. The worst that can happen is that your users are "stuck" in the "Previous Systems" folder created by an Archive/Install and you'll have to move them back and recreate them as users. (Which isn't as cut and dry as it sounds, but can be done.)

You're making this much too hard.

tatar · Jan 5, 2010, 11:00 PM

Yes, I guess you're right about the last thing. But, I was getting so many suggestions and warnings, that I don't know where to look first, in order to do this right. I'll just start the installation, and what happens, happens...
Take care all...

Aleksandar

tatar · Jan 6, 2010, 01:36 AM

Ho everyone!
Sitting here, typing, smoking a cigarette (the third one).
What a sight to behold. OS X Leopard, 10.5.8, and all the accompanied applications (without backing them up first).
Thanks a lot!!!

Aleksandar:

AKcrab · Jan 6, 2010, 03:01 AM

Hooray!

BLAZE_MkIV · Jan 6, 2010, 06:23 AM

Now make a backup. When your booted of the install CD before you actually start the install process there's an option to run disk utility and a few others. You would then use Disk utilities Restore functionality to make a copy of your files.