Can I install MATLAB R2006a on a MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo processor

I have an old original MATLAB installation kit for Standalone Named User Installations with accompanied License File. At my current job I have to work on a MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Version 10.6.8 with Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

Installation works fine. But when I try to launch MATLAB, the logo banner appears as a flash and than disappears.

In the Console this log appears:

JavaVM: requested Java version ((null)) not available. Using Java at "" instead.
JavaVM: Failed to load JVM: /bundle/Libraries/libserver.dylib  
JavaVM FATAL: Java for ppc cannot run in this configuration.  
JavaVM FATAL: Please consult documentation.  
JavaVM: requested Java version ((null)) not available. Using Java at "" instead.  
JavaVM: Failed to load JVM: /bundle/Libraries/libserver.dylib  
JavaVM FATAL: Java for ppc cannot run in this configuration.  
JavaVM FATAL: Please consult documentation.  
Warning: Failed to start the Java Virtual machine - JNI error: -1.  
Warning: Disabling Java support
                                < M A T L A B >  
Copyright 1984-2006 The MathWorks, Inc.  
                           Version 7.2.0.283 (R2006a)  
                                January 27, 2006    
To get started, type one of these: helpwin, helpdesk, or demo.  
For product information, visit www.mathworks.com.  
>>

Are there any way I can make my current MATLAB product work on my Mac?

Answer 1

[Jason Ross]

• R2006a was supported only on PowerPC. Apple switched to Intel processors and had a transition time where executables would run on either PowerPC or Intel. This was first supported in R2007a. R2006b was only PowerPC.
• The OS version supported for R2006a were 10.4.x and 10.3.x. 10.6.8 is significantly newer, and Apple dropped PowerPC support for it -- it's only supported on Intel. So system libraries which were needed for PowerPC simply aren't there in 10.6.x and later.

So given that you are running a version built for PowerPC and the only processor architecture supported by Apple for the OS you are running is Intel, it's likely not to work.

You could try startup flags like -nojvm and so on, but I'd expect that you might just end up creeping a little bit further to hit another error.

References: http://www.mathworks.com/support/sysreq/previous_releases.html

http://gigaom.com/2009/06/10/apple-officially-puts-powerpc-behind-them-with-snow-leopard/

Answer 2

[Steve Eddins]

No. The R2006a Mac version of MATLAB requires a Power PC processor. It won't run on an Intel processor. See the System Requirements section of the R2006a Mac OS Installation Guide. (Note: I think you might have to login using your mathworks.com account to have access to the documentation for previous version.)

Answer 3

[Josef Thingnes]

Here is a follow up question: If I make some kind of dual boot with a Windows partition, will it than work to install the Windows version of this same MATLAB relese?

[Jason Ross]

That would certainly be an option. For that release, Windows XP was a supported OS (and still is ...). If you move forward to something like Windows 7 there can be compatability issues, some of which have workarounds, some which do not -- be sure to do some searching around on "installing MATLAB on Windows 7" -- I've seen some good threads on the pitfalls of attempting an installation, and there are also some documents at mathworks.com detailing how to make it work.

Linux might be an option, too.

Disclaimer: I am not privy to what your license arrangement allows. I'm merely answering from a technical perspective.

[Sean de Wolski]

I would avoid verLessThan R2007b on Win7.

Answer 4

[Sean de Wolski]

Alright, I'll put in the Sales word here:

There have been a lot of great developments since 2006. You may wish to contact your friendly Sales Rep and get a trial license to see if it might be worth getting a new version.

[Josef Thingnes]

Sure, the contact is established and his suggestions will be taken into consideration. If I could choose I would by a new pc running Windows and the newest MATLAB release. But I can't, and I am very happy for having you guys helping me out getting the best out of what I have.