You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume

[azianai]

Hi,

i have a Intel mac pc, when i'm trying to install mac os x on it, i'm reciving the following error on it:

You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume


What to do now? any guesses why i'm receiving this error?

[Humberto]

Give more details about that type of partition you are using? If you are trying to install Mac OS X on a hard drive and you can receive an alert installer that tells you that you can not perform that installation on the hard disk on which you intend to run Mac OS X, with an additional message that states that you can not boot from that disk is that you have a problem with the disc format.

[Calvin K]

This message of Mac OS X installer is not very illuminating, and new users may become somewhat confused by the generic message from Apple. Where is the problem? It's just a hard drive and should be done!.

The problem is the disc format, and more specifically in its partition table.

[Solomon]

To install Mac OS X disk, you must partition it to match the native partition scheme for the type of processor your computer (Intel or PowerPC). The creation of partitions dividing the Disk two or more volumes (although you can choose one partition to solve this problem, as described below).

Important: Create partition erases the disc. Moreover, simply erasing the drive without partitioning will not solve the problem (see information below).

Proceed as follows:

1. Save important data. Creating partitions erases all disk data.
2. Open Disk Utility:
   
   • If you boot from the installation disk Mac OS X, choose Disk Utility menu Utilities.
   • if you start from volume Mac OS X computer, open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder. You can access it by choosing Utilities from the menu Go Finder.
3. Select the disk partition (ie the disk on which you want to install Mac OS X). The disc contains the size and model number of the disk, not "Macintosh HD" or a name you have chosen.
4. Click on the Partition tab in Disk Utility window. If the partition tab is not visible, make sure you have selected Disk (not volume) on the left side of the window.
   Tip: In Disk Utility, the volume names are indented on the left side of the window. Disk names are not indented.
5. Choose the number of partitions you want from the pop-up menu volume. You can choose "1 partition" if you only want one.
6. Click Options.
7. From the pop Partition Scheme, choose "GUID Partition Scheme".
8. Click OK.
9. Make any changes you want in the Information section on the volume, as the size or the names of scores.
10. Click the Partition button to erase your disk and install the new partition scheme.
11. When creating the partition is completed, you should be able to install Mac OS X volume. You can then restore the backup data.

More: "You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume..." alert in Installer

[MrChris-]

The problem lies in the relationship between the processor and disk partition table. There is a direct and specific connection between the two elements, And Apple has changed the way that Mac OS X meant the partition tables based processor that uses the Mac way, if you use a Mac with an Intel processor, you need a partition table type while in computers with PPC processor table need another partition.

[jesse]

Assuming this is your MacBook, you should not put a password for the firmware on it if you do not remember. More physical access to a laptop safely thrown out the window.

If you can connect to the OS, it is a GUI application which is on the original restore discs that came with this mac book would be in the extras that will reset a password with a firmware password administrator valid for this computer.