10.3.9 to 10.5 upgrade can't write to volume error

**clogdoh** · March 26th, 2009, 03:31 AM

Hi - have recently bought 10.5 and have tried upgrading from 10.3.9 on my Dual G5 1.8GHz. I start the upgrade process, update and archive and the process gets half way (or so) through (differs each time!) and then I get a yellow warning triangle with the message, Can't write to volume, please restart and try installing again. I have tried, a clean install on my second drive and a straight upgrade on the same drive with the same results. I have also repaired the disk and permissions with the same results. In the meantime, I have done a successful clean install of 10.3 again so I can write this - but really want 10.5! Any suggestions? Thanks!

**sgould** · March 26th, 2009, 04:47 AM

Does your install disc for 10.5 have a black label or a grey label?

A disc with a grey label will be one that came in the box with a new Mac. It won't install on a different model of Mac.

**clogdoh** · March 26th, 2009, 04:57 AM

It is an original black installation disk. Not a grey bootable disk. Help????

**ora** · March 26th, 2009, 05:14 AM

Black is good in this case. I doubt its the disk anyway as the install actually starts (it won;t let you start with the wrong disk).

Maybe an HD problem? Start up from the install cd and repair the hd and repair permission. Also how much free space do you have on the HD?

**clogdoh** · March 26th, 2009, 05:26 AM

I have started from the install disk and repaired permissions and HD. Both disks have around 100 - 200 Gb. Should I try formatting the HD from the install disk?

**ora** · March 26th, 2009, 05:42 AM

Well that is plenty of space.

Odd that neither a straight install of 10.5 or an install of 10.3 then an upgrade to 10.5 on the second drive work either - kinda suggests it could be the disk? Perhaps you could call apple and get it replaced.

Another alternative is some sort of hardware fault, I had some bad ram that stopped an install recently, have you changed the ram or any other hardware recently?

**clogdoh** · March 26th, 2009, 05:59 AM

I think the machine is a bit old now for Apple to care!!! I haven't touched it is several years. I might try and yank some RAM out and format the disk. What would be the best format?

**ora** · March 26th, 2009, 06:26 AM

Not applecare, I mean if the OS X 10.5 installation Disk is faulty, Apple might replace that for you. Given it fails either a 10.5 upgrade on the internal and a fresh install or upgrade on the second drive.

To test for hardware faults you can also use the Hardware Test disk you should have got with the machine.

If you do do a format then you have to use Mac OS Extended (journalled). Also if you do a wipe on the internal drive then don't bother using 10.3 and upgrading, just install 10.5 fresh, it will probably be more stable.