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Zonyc

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 18, 2008
58
0
So here is my story:

I had a 2008 24 inch imac (3.06ghz C2D) and had some issues with it. First the hard drive failed, upon bringing it into the Apple store, they told me that they replaced the hard drive and screen (due to dust under it), however, this was not the case. What they had actually done is replace the entire unit and gave me a refurb which was previously registered to someone else (as evidenced by the registration info). A few months later, I had another issue, this time the logic board had failed and I once again had to lug this 20 pound beast through the largest mall in the city in order to get it to the Apple store (for the second time). I politely explained my discontent with this whole process, they did not inform me that the unit was a refurb and now it had failed yet again. Much to my surprise they offered me a replacement in the form of the i5 with a 1tb drive, 4 gigs of ram, the works.

Now here is the problem: I was not given any of the included dvds as they do a "like-for-like" swap only. This is now an issue because I can not install Snow Leopard from the retail dvd, nor can I install Leopard from my previous iMac disks. In addition to this, I do not have the correct drivers for a boot camp install. Thus I am stuck if I ever need to reinstall Snow Leopard or if I need to utilize boot camp (which I do).

Does anyone have any advice in this matter? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance :)
 
Someone else's registration details?
No installation discs?
Sounds fishy.

That's exactly what I explained to the staff at the Apple store which is likely why I was given the i5. As I explained earlier they simply do a "like-for-like" exchange, hence, I was given the unit but nothing else. Thanks for the reply, but I would appreciate some advice here :)
 
I may get flamed here but I think it was a nice gesture by the store and, at the same time, you got a raw deal with the original 24" replacement. However, you came out ahead so I would just buy the $29 Snow Leopard upgrade disk and call it even.

That's just me...:)
 
I may get flamed here but I think it was a nice gesture by the store and, at the same time, you got a raw deal with the original 24" replacement. However, you came out ahead so I would just buy the $29 Snow Leopard upgrade disk and call it even.

That's just me...:)

I dont think you understood my post. I already own the Snow Leopard retail dvd. In fact i own the family pack, however, this retail version is incompatible with the i5. You require the disks that the imac is supposed to come with.
Edit: I apologize, my initial post did not clearly state that I already own the Snow Leopard retail dvd.

Badger^2: Thanks for the advice! Hopefully it will be as simple as that. I'll give them a shout tomorrow
 
I dont think you understood my post. I already own the Snow Leopard retail dvd. In fact i own the family pack, however, this retail version is incompatible with the i5. You require the disks that the imac is supposed to come with.

Badger^2: Thanks for the advice! Hopefully it will be as simple as that. I'll give them a shout tomorrow

Hmmmm... I must have missed that you already had the retail SL DVD... I don't understand how it's not compatible with the i5 though.:confused:

Sorry if I'm being dense.
 
Hmmmm... I must have missed that you already had the retail SL DVD... I don't understand how it's not compatible with the i5 though.:confused:

Sorry if I'm being dense.

No worries at all :) My initial impression was that it would also work fine. I did try using it for a fresh install (just to confirm) but it simply freezes. After considerable searching, I found this page on the Apple support site: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3101

which states
Do not attempt to use a Mac OS X v10.6.0 Snow Leopard retail DVD. Do not use DVDs that have earlier versions of the Mac OS X operating system.

Thanks for your understanding.
 
Why not call Apple Support and explain that you don't have an install disc and the normal retail SL you bought won't work. At the very least they should offer a way for you to purchase a new install disc set. I'm sure there are cases where someone loses or damages their discs and needs replacements.
 
I don't understand why there are no discs. Are you saying someone opened the i5 box and removed the SL discs?

By 'like for like' do you mean you were given a refurbished i5?
 
Talk to the geniuses at the store.

They will burn you a copy of the discs you need right then and there - they have DMG's of every disc apple ships on their HD's.

Don't ask how I know this. :D
 
Well, I just gave Apple tech support a call. They'll be sending me the install disks via mail. I guess I didnt have anything to worry about after all. Thanks everyone for your replies :)
 
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