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Final Cut Studio: Failed Installation

September 17, 2009

I was working on a Mac Pro with newly installed Snow Leopard on Wednesday September 16th, 2009. I tried installing Final Cut Studio (2009) and it kept failing.

After a long troubleshooting session, I finally found out what the culprits were.

I managed to duplicate the error on a 13-inch MacBook Pro also running a newly installed Snow Leopard.

Final Cut Pro 2009 Failed Installation

For some reasons on both the Mac Pro and MacBook Pro, Final Cut Pro installation failed if iLife ’09 installed. Make sure all iLife ’09 is up to date, especially iDVD.

I succesfully installed Final Cut Studio sans iDVD Theme Element.

fcp09 custom install no idvd

If the installation still failed, you can separately install Final Cut Studio elements. The error most likely occurred after Final Cut Pro and Colors are installed. Therefore, install the followings separately:

  • Motion Contents
  • Audio Contents
  • DVD Studio Pro

It is likely that there was an error while reading the installation disc. For example the Mac Pro I was working on was unable to read Motion Contents disk 2. By installing Final Cut Studio components separately, I managed to get all of them successfully installed.

90 Comments leave one →
  1. September 20, 2009 10:49 pm

    So what is the fix? I am having the same problem on a fresh installation of snow leopard on a MacPro

  2. five permalink
    November 13, 2009 7:40 pm

    install each app separately. first fcp, then studiopro, then audio, then motion. should be ok. SL for some reason isn’t able to read them all in one batch.

    • brasinrejo@gmail.com permalink
      August 27, 2012 8:41 pm

      I Installed Succesfully In My MAC LION 10.7.2

    • Thorns'n'Thistles permalink
      February 4, 2015 5:12 pm

      5 years later and you have made a man’s day. Or perhaps weeks because that’s how long I’ve spent being frustrated at this. Thank you, man, from the bottom of my heart. You deserve so much and don’t ever doubt yourself. I wish you a great happy life.

      Love,
      The Filmmaker who will thank you in the Oscars one day because of what you helped me achieve.

  3. Asif permalink
    November 15, 2009 8:32 pm

    i tried studio pro after fcp 3 same issue?

  4. jax permalink
    November 24, 2009 9:52 pm

    im running into similar problems… i have SL as well. Im trying to install downloaded software for FCP 5 ( i need the older version). An error message keeps popping up saying “Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software. See the read me for details.” Any ideas on how to get around this?

    • November 25, 2009 12:38 am

      I don’t think FCP 5 would run on Snow Leopard at all.

      Sorry.

      v

  5. December 8, 2009 3:30 pm

    please can u help 1 am failng to t0 insatall fcs 1ts n0t g1v1ng me 0pt1on t0 1nstall

    • karan permalink
      December 1, 2010 2:13 am

      dud use unrarx 2 unzip ur .rar files den extract it 2 a folder..den u ll get install option..

  6. December 9, 2009 7:39 pm

    Thank you!!
    It was making me crazy…. Now it is working
    🙂

  7. seth permalink
    December 15, 2009 8:30 am

    Having problems too. Tried installing FCP studio 2 on snow leopard (macbook pro 2.4 ghz w 2 gram). FCP and Colors Check box in install dialog were deselected. Other parts (motion, soundtrack, etc) installed fine. Any thoughts?

    • February 28, 2010 11:16 pm

      Try installing each component separately, one at a time.

  8. Carlos permalink
    February 21, 2010 12:26 pm

    I also am trying to install Final Cut Pro on my new macbook Pro 2.53ghz. I keep getting the message “Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software. See the read me for details.” I dont understand why this is happening, is there anyway around this if so what do I have to do?

    • February 28, 2010 11:15 pm

      Which Mac OS X are you running?

    • Thomas Drake permalink
      August 22, 2010 5:38 pm

      Did you find a fix for this?

    • Rafael permalink
      October 7, 2010 12:03 am

      Hi Carlos, I’m getting the same message that you got before and I can not figure it out. I have 2 mac minis. one works fine and the other gives me the message “Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software.”

    • brasinrejo@gmail.com permalink
      August 27, 2012 8:43 pm

      adjust VRAM & RESULUTION

  9. Rukero permalink
    February 24, 2010 1:52 pm

    Im getting instilation failed too!!!!!!
    i am only doing motion right now, i have motion i am just installing the content. I already have FCP 7, and compressor.
    :$ help, i need the content for a project !!!!!!!!!!!!

    • February 28, 2010 11:15 pm

      Have you tried installing the components separately?

      • Adrean permalink
        August 13, 2010 8:33 pm

        Thanx a lot it worked ….I installed them one at a time….thanx for ur advice

  10. March 1, 2010 2:44 pm

    I’ve the same problem of jax and Carlos.I’m trying to install final cut studio on my iMac, (MacOS x 10.6.2). A window says: “Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software. See the Read Me for details.” why? Rosetta doesn’t work?
    thank you for help

  11. abou permalink
    March 10, 2010 9:19 pm

    i installed all except soundtrack pro 3

  12. Photog31 permalink
    March 26, 2010 12:52 pm

    Is there a specific order in which you need t install them off of a virtual disk?

    • March 27, 2010 10:16 pm

      Install Final Cut Pro first, then you can continue with any of them.

      • Thomas Drake permalink
        August 22, 2010 5:42 pm

        What if you can’t get final cut to install? I’m on macbook pro with SL. error says “Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software. See the Read Me for details.
        please help

      • August 22, 2010 6:26 pm

        Do you have the latest Mac OS X Snow Leopard? You might have to delete a receipt from the library.

      • Thomas Drake permalink
        August 22, 2010 6:53 pm

        Which receipts from the library?

      • Thomas permalink
        August 24, 2010 1:39 am

        still have problem…the receipt was not there to delete?
        what to do, please help.

      • August 24, 2010 1:50 am

        Thomas,
        Can you provide the following:
        MacBook Pro Model
        Mac OS X version
        Final Cut Studio Version

        If all else fail, I’ll try helping you remotely.

  13. Harry Katz permalink
    March 28, 2010 11:05 am

    Mine seemed to be going nowhere after the first Install DVD disk… seemed to be saying one minute left when I put in the Audio Content 1 disk… but after a long while it finally started and showed several hours time left… I’m still

  14. Roberto permalink
    May 16, 2010 11:19 am

    Well, I have FC 5 running without problema in SL

  15. Louis permalink
    June 5, 2010 5:39 pm

    how do you install components separetly when it immediately comes up with the “hardware error….”

    Terribly frustrating!!

  16. July 24, 2010 6:22 pm

    I’m coming across the same problem with FCS3 on Snow Leopard – everything has most current updates. Do you only select 1 box at a time (i.e. Final Cut Pro, then Color, etc.) and in what order? Thanks in advance, really looking forward to playing with this software.

    • July 24, 2010 7:13 pm

      I installed the components one at the time. FCP first then do the rest one by one in Bo particular order.

  17. Pratean permalink
    August 10, 2010 8:00 pm

    Im getting the same error…
    Im able to install the first DVD.. and the motion
    Im getting the error on the others dvds
    If the ilfe is the problem… what if a unstall it and install fcs and then install ilife back?!
    Would that work? have anybody done it?
    Thanks

  18. Renato permalink
    September 9, 2010 7:51 am

    I`m trying to instal FCP7 in my Imac with snow leo and ilife.

    My iLife is updated
    I can’t find the file to delete in the library
    I tried (several times and ways) to install component separately (one by one)

    I keep getting the same message

    “the installation failed, could not install the software because there was no software found to install”

    Does anyone have any idea what eles I should try?

    thanx
    Renato

  19. September 9, 2010 9:52 am

    in time mo…

  20. E&D permalink
    September 14, 2010 9:57 am

    hi your suggestion worked for me partially i have installed some of them and i couldnt install some of them a dialogue box pops up with the message insert the DVD STUDIO PRO CONTENT” disc to continue the installation.
    can u help me out?

  21. mathlepadre permalink
    September 24, 2010 8:34 am

    Thank you so much! I didn’t close my eyes since 24h!

  22. kdstars1972 permalink
    October 18, 2010 12:41 pm

    Thank you so much!!! Was so frustrated spending that much money and not being able to install.

  23. October 31, 2010 1:35 am

    That worked well on Macbook Pro with Snow Leopard.
    Thanks.

  24. clockworkgreen permalink
    November 15, 2010 5:23 pm

    Thank for this! trying it now!

  25. Fog Raw permalink
    November 22, 2010 4:55 pm

    Guys please I need help! I keep getting the error

    Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software. See the Read Me for details.

    I am trying to install FCP5 on my MacBook6.1

    PLEASE help. My email is fog_raw@hotmail.com

  26. December 23, 2010 5:59 pm

    Try this…
    Open Finder, Go > Go to Folder… Then
    /Volumes/Final Cut Studio/Installer/Packages
    (Assume your volume is Final Cut Studio).
    Then, open FinalCutPro.pkg. Should be OK.

  27. December 23, 2010 6:00 pm

    Try this…
    Open Finder, Go > Go to Folder… Then
    /Volumes/Final Cut Studio/Installer/Packages
    (Assume your volume is Final Cut Studio).
    Then, open FinalCutPro.pkg. Should be OK.

  28. tariankhka permalink
    December 23, 2010 6:38 pm

    The entire package of final cut pro studio 3 will load, with the exception of motion. Although it says “installation successful” when finished with the installation, there is no trace of the program in the applications folder. I went throough the installation procedures 4 times – with the same result. Everything loads except motion. Does anyone have a solution????

  29. tariankhka permalink
    December 23, 2010 6:47 pm

    In reference to #28. above, I overlooked my computer’s specs. I am using an IMAC w/3.3ghz intel processor with 14 gig ram. Motion was previously installed and worked fine. However had to uninstall it. During the re-loading process, it says,”installation successful”, but it cannot be found on the computer anywhere. All other components of FCPS3 loads perfectly fine.

    • December 23, 2010 8:05 pm

      Three 4 GB RAM + one 2 GB RAM?

      Try installing Motion separately using just Motion disc.

  30. john p permalink
    January 5, 2011 7:40 pm

    i have an i5 and i’m trying to install fcpro7 but i keep getting the installation failed message. I tried installing 1 program at time. I tried updating my software so im now up to date and still getting the error message. please help.

  31. SLP permalink
    January 18, 2011 2:57 am

    i have SL, and i install every content step for step and it works fine but at the final end, Motion Content 2 Disk ( Live Fonts ) i get everytime the messege: installation faild ,

    i have 3 Motion Content 2 dvds here and no1 works, why? anyone the same problem? can anybody help? please … any ideas?

    • January 19, 2011 2:33 am

      So you’re unable to install Motion Content.
      Create disk image of both Motion Content Discs, then install it using the disk image.

  32. Jo Low permalink
    January 21, 2011 9:03 am

    Same Problem!

    I installed Final Cut Pro
    and Motion seperately
    but I can’t install Motion Content?
    is there any other way? Extract from the dmg drag drop?

    • January 24, 2011 1:09 am

      Try making disk images of the Discs. Then install them using the disk image.

  33. February 7, 2011 5:09 pm

    How to Create disk image of both Motion Content Discs?

    • February 8, 2011 2:28 pm

      Use Disk Utility, create new disk image, CD/DVD master

  34. Confuzzled permalink
    February 9, 2011 11:57 pm

    I’m having a similar problem…I only have the motion installation disk and neither content disks, hence I cannot install motion…is there any .dmg downloads available?

  35. Diaa permalink
    February 24, 2011 5:03 pm

    Yess Yessss
    it`s working
    Thank you

  36. Kiarash permalink
    March 7, 2011 8:01 am

    hey guys
    I still donno how to create an image from the a file that I download (Final Cut Studio Install.toast) version 7.
    I need to Install the rest of the Items,
    I mean I installed the final cut software but not the rest like motion!

    please explain how to use the “create an image’ trick!

    thanks

  37. March 19, 2011 10:28 pm

    OK, I have the latest version of MAC OS, I have the latest version of FCP, DVD Studio Pro and all programs. DVD Studio Pro wasn’t working right so i followed the steps on Apple’s Website to trash DSP and reinstall it from scratch. I’ve now reinstalled DSP twice and it says it was successfully installed both times but when I go try to find it, it’s nowhere to be found. Anybody know what could be the problem and steps to fix it?

  38. Jacob permalink
    April 29, 2011 11:58 am

    Help…
    I have fcp 5.1.4 (studio 1)running on MAC pro SL.
    I tried to install STUDIO 2 (fcp 6) getting Alert:

    Your computer does not have the hardware required to run this software. See the Read Me for details.

    any solution or ideas will appriciate

  39. Tom permalink
    April 30, 2011 3:54 am

    You life saver. Perfect fix. Thanks

  40. nipper permalink
    June 19, 2011 7:49 pm

    I just installed final cut with NONE of the other things: colour, motion, soundtrackk and it finally worked!
    now i’m gonna try and stall them seperately.!~

  41. Ken Gladstone permalink
    July 19, 2011 1:50 pm

    After a number of years from being a Mac User I have returned. I recently received a Non-Intel G5 Quad which was used by my late friend for audio recording. Since I am a video guy I have installed Final Cut Pro 5 which is supposedly compatible with this hardware.

    I have fully installed FCP 5, but it will not run due to an error message asking for the Vocal Waves Bundle Folder which of course I could not locate. After some research I was advised to delete the Waves Preferences, done and it FCP 5 still will not run.

    Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, Thanks…KG

  42. tsmilinface permalink
    July 20, 2011 8:25 am

    Thank you. I resolved the same problem but with FCP7 on iMAc i5 Quad-core.
    New stuff, same problems.
    Thanx

  43. gale gee permalink
    July 29, 2011 11:56 pm

    what tdo I do?
    installing FCP7 seperately. I get to motion and it asks for discs. I don’t have them. What do I do? Any way round this… anyone …please …going quietly NUTS!!!!!

  44. gale gee permalink
    July 29, 2011 11:58 pm

    what do I do?
    installing FCP7 seperately. I get to motion and it asks for discs. I don’t have them. What do I do? Any way round this… anyone …please …going quietly NUTS!!!!!

    • August 7, 2011 11:34 pm

      Unfortunately you need those discs if you want to install the applications.

  45. brian permalink
    August 23, 2011 1:40 pm

    So what is the final solution? We are running 10.6.8 and are getting the “installation failed” message. I have tried to install the apps separately to no avail. Should i try disc images next? Nothing wants to work. Any ideas besides making disc images?

    • August 23, 2011 1:43 pm

      I’ve created the disk images of FC Studio, then install each application separately. That definitely works for me.

  46. Sreeraj Raveendran permalink
    September 24, 2011 1:13 am

    Thanks alot Man… 😀

  47. February 24, 2012 12:48 pm

    I’m attempting to install Final Cut Studio 3 on my Mac OS X, and am having problems. It seems to think I’m upgrading an existing version of Final cut, but there’s no such thing on my system!! So, during the installation when it comes up with the screen advising on which elements can be installed, like soundtrack pro, dvd, compressor etc it says ‘upgrade’ next to the all-important FCP application itself…….what’s wrong with it??
    It comes up with a message saying “the source media you are installing from is damaged”
    Sometimes it simply says “Cannot fins files at source (/)” …….what does that mean??

    nightmare! please help!

    • February 24, 2012 12:49 pm

      *cannot find files

    • February 24, 2012 5:00 pm

      Do you have Logic Pro installed?

      I vaguely remember that you need to delete a folder or a file.

    • February 24, 2012 5:08 pm

      Final Cut Studio 2: Option to install Final Cut Pro is dimmed

      http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1110

      Final Cut Studio 2: Option to install Final Cut Pro is dimmed

      Symptoms
      If you install Final Cut Studio 2 after having installed Logic Studio, the option to install Final Cut Pro may be dimmed so that it is not possible to install Final Cut Pro. Other applications can be installed.

      This particular issue specifically occurs on systems on which Logic Studio has already been installed.

      Products Affected
      Final Cut Studio 2, Logic Studio

      Resolution
      Take the following steps to resolve this issue:

      1. If it is still running, quit the Final Cut Studio Installer.
      2. In Finder, navigate to /Library/Receipts/.
      3. Locate the file named ProMediaIO.pkg and drag it to the Trash.
      4. Run the Final Cut Studio Installer again.

  48. Sopheak permalink
    December 11, 2012 5:22 am

    This saved my life. It drove me insane! Now it is working!

  49. afriend permalink
    January 30, 2013 3:56 pm

    Fantastic. I installed everything SEPARATELY and i’m running osx mountain lion.

  50. April 20, 2013 9:09 pm

    The first good/useable info on installing Final Cut Studio 3. Running Mountain Lion. Uninstalled iLife, then installed all the FCS components separately, one at a time. Only thing that worked. Appreciate the post greatly!

  51. pppbela permalink
    May 7, 2013 7:18 pm

    Could anyone tell me how could I get the missing master templates and special sound effects in caf format for FCP7? Master templates like lower-third titles which are animated and some special name label. Switching off some contents made these things lost. Thanx

    • May 8, 2013 1:59 am

      Have you tried to reinstall Motion?

      Also check the /Users/Shared/Motion/Templates directory.

      • June 3, 2013 2:36 pm

        No, I haven’t reinstall Motion.

        I didn’t find anything in this folder: Users/Shared/Motion/Templates directory.

  52. D.Sett permalink
    July 7, 2014 12:48 am

    I cant reinstall FCP 7 its showing “Final Cut Studio: Failed Installation”.. my os version is OS X 10.8.3 (12D78) mountain lion …i tried to install them separately but still its showing failed installation..while uninstalling the software I used FCS..and youtube video is aslo showing error..help plsssss..!!!!!

  53. D.Sett permalink
    July 7, 2014 12:50 am

    I cant reinstall FCP 7 its showing “Final Cut Studio: Failed Installation”.. my os version is OS X 10.8.3 (12D78) mountain lion …i tried to install them separately but still its showing failed installation..while uninstalling the software I used FCS..and youtube video is aslo showing error..help plsssss..!!!!!

    • pppbela permalink
      July 9, 2014 4:31 pm

      Try to to install items separately. First, try Final Cut Studio. If it works, go on with others.
      I guess, you can do it this way.

  54. D.Sett permalink
    July 10, 2014 11:20 am

    Thank you very much…its working now…Hope to recieve many more problem solutions in future through this forum..thanks once again …

    • pppbela permalink
      July 10, 2014 11:42 am

      Helped you with pleasure.

  55. mahdi permalink
    October 14, 2016 9:39 am

    can you give me a full lesson and carefully steps of how can i install FCS 7 pleaseeeeeeeeee

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