So I finally bought Leopard... the standard, retail version. When I first tried to boot my Macbook off the DVD, I kept getting the grey boot screen with a "cross" instead of the Apple logo. I checked the DVD in an iBook, and it booted fine, first time there with no problems. After doing a PMU reset (Cmd+Opt+P+R) on my Macbook, I was able to boot the Leopard DVD. When I did, I found that Apple won't let you install OSX onto an APM partitioned disc on an Intel mac - even though my Macbook has been booting off an APM partitioned disc for about a year now (this is a cloned disc, that's how I got it to boot of APM in the first place). Since I'd already cloned my HDD to my external HDD, I re-formatted my internal HDD using Leopard's disk utility, with a GUID partition map. (In the meantime I'd restarted my computer for something else, and again had to reset the PMU in order to boot the Leopard disc at all). Now I finally got to install Leopard.....

.... and after spending 40 minutes or so verifying the disc, it said: “The installer could not install the software because there was no software found to install.” And the only option was to restart.

WTF?

Have I got a dodgy installer disc? Talk about a smooth installation process.... and now I'm left with a wiped internal disc, working off an external clone. What a PITA. Will I have to take it back to Myer to get a replacement? Will they replace it on the spot?

edit: I've checked, and I can't see any scratches, and there's certainly no visible scratches in the middle. AFAIK, if it was having trouble booting from the disc, it would be a result of scratches in the inner part of the disc, right? There is very light scuffing on the outer extremity, but so light that it looks like any modern drive would be able to read it fine.

try skipping the verification of the install disc. i always do this as what are the chances of a brand new install disc being faulty? slim id say. but maybe you were unlucky and got a dodge one. try skipping the verification and if that doesnt work youd should prob ring apple or the reseller you purchased from for help. they may send you a new one.

How old is the Macbook, still under warranty/Applecare?

If so I would be inclined to contact your dealer for advice.

I found this one out the hard way too when mucking around with a dev build I "found".

Thanks, but that's really bad advice. If verification isn't working, there is a problem in either the disc, the optical drive, the logic board, or the cables/connectors in between. Any of those playing up is likely to result in a corrupt install.

The culprit was my combo drive - it's been a bit flaky, crashing with certain DVDs in frontrow and stuff like that. I pulled a DVD burner out of my old PC, hooked it up to my USB2->ATA/SATA adapter (very handy piece of gear, that one), and presto. It worked. And I imagine it installed a lot faster due to the faster hardware (albeit with a slower interface).

I'm out of 12 month warranty as of this week, but these problems with the combo drive have been happening for about 2 months. What are the chances of getting a warranty replacement?

Now isn 't this always the way!!!
Something breaks just outside the warranty period!!!
sigh

Glad to hear you got everything up and running on the MacBook though mate...
good luck getting the new drive installed!

Myer?

I would contact your supplier at least Forgie. Have you mentioned the drive probs to them in the past? if so you may get away with it, but I would do it today, Now!
Reading between the lines, you did not purchase applecare. Always a good idea to do so.

Good luck.

PS: So how do you like Leopard so far?

I decided not to get AppleCare. I can perform the replacement of an optical drive myself, no problems.... to buy a Superdrive from the US is around $150, so I'm still ahead when comparing to a legit AppleCare warranty. I have a friend who needs a SuperDrive replacement (also out of warranty), so if I can't get a warranty fix, at least I'll be able to save on shipping (and get a DL superdrive)!

I bought this macbook as a refurb from NextByte, and judging by the people I dealt with when I bought it, telling them that something "may possibly be wrong" would have had about as much effect as telling them that I like icecream. I don't think they'll help me very much.

Still, I would be making a phone call, If the local store is not helpfull, ring head orofice in Adelaide and talk to them. If they say no all you have lost is the price of a phone call.

Yes - but at the same time, my laptop being in my possession is worth a hell of a lot more to me right now than the $150 for a new SuperDrive. If they dick around with a slow repair job, than I'd rather do it myself, and pay for it myself. I'll ponder my options for a few hours I think....