I have an iMac I want to do a clean install. I did what I would normally do, boot into recovery, clean the drive and then go into clean install. I get this error that "a required download is missing". I boot into internet recovery and it does something for about 10 mins with a spinning globe and a count down clock. When that finishes it sits on an Apple logo for 15 mins before I shut it down and boot into recovery again and try to install now. I get the same message. The OS that was on this iMac was Mavericks.
I thought I could just download an OS from the App store on my other iMac that I recently updated to Mojave. Well they changed the App store now and while I can see past purchases it does not show Apple OS's like it did before Mojave. So now I don't know how to get an installer so I can even attempt at making a bootable USB OS installer.
Anyone have an idea on how I can get a copy of Mavericks, or any newer Mac OS that will work on a 21" iMac? Not sure what year it is, but it does have an i5 so not a super ancient CPU.
__________________
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Bishop Desmond Tutu
IIRC High Sierra is the last one you can download directly. I did that for my 2011 iMac. Downloaded the high Sierra installer and made a USB boot drive from it.
I could probably upgrade past High Sierra but it's fine as is for what I use it for.
IIRC High Sierra is the last one you can download directly. I did that for my 2011 iMac. Downloaded the high Sierra installer and made a USB boot drive from it.
I could probably upgrade past High Sierra but it's fine as is for what I use it for.
The one does not come up in the App store. I will have to check some other Mac's I have and see if I saved any of the OS installers. This is a real headache not having access to any installers if you encounter a problem like mine.
__________________
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Bishop Desmond Tutu
I seem to remember some foolery being required to actually download it, if the Mac you're downloading with doesn't support that version. I'll see if I can find my notes later.
I don't believe you need to be a mac-forums.com member Just to read the posts, but it wouldn't hurt for if and when you need some good Mac Help.
You might even meet or recognize some other old ehmac.ca members over there as well.
I have El Cap on a 64gb (32?)
USB stick I can give you an image if it helps. I also have a copy of Lion on DVD. Perhaps installing from another external disk other than the main disk might help - I got tricked before as the Recovery is not the highest level on the drive
__________________
MBP 15" • iMac 24 (1 - White and 1 Aluminum) * Parallels V12 w W7
Mac user since 1985 • iPhone Black 7Plus • iPhone 6Plus • iPad 3G
I ended up using a time machine backup from a Mac Mini I have and restored from that. I upgraded to High Sierra which is the newest OS it can take. I will be trying to go the usual route this time around for a clean install.
I tried a few different things with no luck. Bootable USB stick did not work (showed up fine on a MacBook Pro), I put the iMac into target disk mode and connected via thunderbolt to MacBook Pro (2015 model I believe, iMac is 2011). It showed up but the option to install to the iMac was greyed out saying it could not be done because it was in target disk mode.
Never had this much trouble trying to do a clean install before!
__________________
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Bishop Desmond Tutu