Mac OS X discs for PowerPC-based Macs don't work with Intel-based Macs

  • Last Modified: February 09, 2006
  • Article: TA23832
  • Old Article: 303058

Products Affected

Mac mini (Mid 2007), Mac mini (Late 2006), Mac mini (Early 2006), iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007), iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), iMac (Mid 2006 17-inch), iMac (Early 2006 20-inch), iMac (Early 2006 17-inch), iMac (24-inch, Late 2006), Mac OS X 10.4, iMac (20-inch Late 2006), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006 CD), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006), iMac (24-inch, Early 2008), iMac (20-inch, Early 2008)

Mac OS X installation discs that came with a PowerPC processor-based Mac won't work with an Intel processor-based Mac, and vice-versa, even if both Macs came with the same version of Mac OS X. You can't start up an Intel-based Mac from a CD or DVD that came with a PowerPC-based Mac, nor a PowerPC-based Mac from an Intel-based Mac's discs, either by holding the C key at startup or by using Startup Disk preferences.

To start your computer from a disc, use the disc that came with the computer.

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