[Hocutt]

Hello All,

I have a MacBook '08 Edition Metal Case and I am trying to do a clean OS install and its failing with error 'Support Files Missing' I receive this message when I try to install both Snow Leopard and Lion. The install goes to about a little past halfway done then it just stays there sometimes it will give the support files missing error other times it just sits there until I shut down or reboot, the longest I let it go with no error is overnight was still the same in the morning. Both Snow and Lion are retail purchased. I have erased the install disk location each attempt. I have tried selecting install options leaving out the extra fonts and languages etc. and still same thing. I'm losing faith please help, thanks.

[Headrush]

Is the Snow Leopard DVD the original one that came with that MacBook?

[Hocutt]

No, SW was purchased separately.

[Headrush]

Originally Posted by Hocutt

No, SW was purchased separately.

But it's an official DVD, not a copy?

If original, is it a genuine version that works on all models? (from Apple)
Is this an original DVD bought second hand? (could be model specific)

Have you installed using this DVD before?

It's strange that it fails on both SL and a Lion DVD. Could be the optical drive is failing or dirty.
Do you know anyone else with a Mac? If so, you can use Disk Utility and do a checksum on the DVDs and make sure it matches with a know good drive.

[Hocutt]

The disks that I am using are original disk purchased from the apple store... I have tried installing both on an external HD attached to the Macbook and both programs run with no problem... Please see screen shot for exact error

[Headrush]

Could be optical or hard drive failing.

Do you have an external HD?
If so you can use Disk Utility to restore the OS X install DVD onto the external HD and boot from that. If it errors out also, it's likely the optical drive.