Problem during Installation of MAC OSX Leopard

[Oswaldo]

Hello, I have a MAC desktop computer which was installed with MAC OS X Panther. I wanted to change the operating system and hence started an installation process for MAC OS X Leopard but the installation procedure was interrupted due to power failure. When the system started again it gave the option to choose startup disk. I selected the Hard disk with the existing Operating system, but the computer didnt start and gets stuck at the same process everytime. System displays a gray screen with an Apple logo. I tried to boot the system many times but it results in the computer getting stuck at apple logo. Is this because of Hardware failure? Or Is this because of Software failure? Please help

[Solomon]

Power failure causes lots of problems in computer world. A simple power surge can take out components without the user knowing it. It is therefore advisable to use a power surge protection for the computer with a battery back up of about 5 mins. As the installation process was running while the power went out, it is possible that the system memory must have got damaged. System RAM is most volatile memory device which can be damaged by a simple static field. Hence get your RAM checked and replace it if needed.

[Calvin K]

If you have a Install DVD of MAC OSX then insert in the Drive and try booting the system from the DVD. Once the DVD is inserted in the drive, press the start button. Now while the system is starting, press C on the keyboard to boot the system from DVD. If the system boots successfully from the DVD then there is some problem with the installed version of the operating system. If the system does not boot from the DVD then there is a possibility that some piece of hardware needs to replaced.

[jesse]

Try doing a PRAM reset and see if the system boots or not. As there was power failure during the installation process of new operating system, it is possible that their exists corrupted entries in the system RAM which is creating problem while booting the system. To perform the PRAM reset, follow these steps :-
1) Locate the following keys Apple, Option, C and R.
2) Now press and hold these keys while pressing the power button.
3) Keep holding these keys till three startup chimes are heard.
4) Release the buttons when 3rd startup chime is heard.
5) Now let the system boot normally.
Hopefully this will solve your problem.

[Dr. V]

Whenever any operating system is tried to upgrade, some of the files of existing operating system are replaced. As you have started the installation procedure of Mac osx leopard on the system, it must have replaced some files which are needed by the Mac osx panther for booting. But as the procedure was interrupted by the power failure all the files were not replaced, hence you are not able to boot the system in any of the operating system. You will have to install either of the two operating system again to get your system working. Now you wont be able to save the applications which were installed on the operating system which you were using.

[Luis234]

There is a way in which you can try and save the applications which were installed on the earlier operating system. Insert the install DVD of the operating system you want to install and then select Select/Archive installation mode. When this mode is selected, the installer will save the files of all the applications which are installed on the operating system and will only replace the files of the operating system. The Advantage of using this mode is that you can still use the same applications in new installed operating system.