When a Mac OS X update won't install with "Volume does not meet requirements for this update" message
Getting around this sometimes frustrating error message.
The error message "Volume does not meet requirements for this update" may appear when attempting to install a Mac OS X updater or a full release from disc. Generally the problem falls into one of the following categories:
Make sure you are using the right updater (Server vs. client) There are usually a few varieties of the same Mac OS X update version. Make sure that you are not trying to install the Intel client build on a PowerPC-based Mac, or the Server build on a Mac OS X client system.
Although we generally recommend using the standalone Mac OS X updaters rather than Software Update, the latter method will generally correctly identify the copy of Mac OS X applicable to your current system state.
Retail vs. shipped-with-system (build numbers) Different Macs ship with different builds of Mac OS X, and one build may not be compatible with a different system. The build that ships with a MacBook Core 2 Duo, for instance, may not properly install on a Mac Pro. Hence you may receive the "Volume does not meet requirements for this update" message when mixing and matching systems and discs.
Some retail copies of Mac OS X 10.4.x may also be unable to install on some systems that require newer builds.
In addition, it appears that while some builds will install on specific systems, those systems will then refuse to accept subsequent updates. To ensure compatibility, inspect the following matrices:
- Mac OS: Versions, builds included with Intel-based Macs
- Mac OS: Versions, builds included with PowerPC Macs (since 1998)
and note that you should not use a Mac OS version earlier than the one included with the computer.
Combo vs. Delta Remember that delta Mac OS X updaters can only update systems version-to-version, e.g. Mac OS X 10.4.8 to Mac OS X 10.4.9. Combo updaters can bring any version within the scope of a major release (Panther, Tiger, etc.) up-to-date, e.g. Mac OS X 10.4.3 to Mac OS X 10.4.9.
Attempting to run a delta update on anything other than the directly precedent version may result in the "Volume does not meet requirements for this update" message.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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