Restoring OS x in recovery mode

[ScotsAndy]

I'm trying to get my late 2011 MacBook Pro ready for trade in. I followed the instructions to wipe erase the disc, then restarted with Command + R to get onto recovery mode. I selected Restore OS X and it selected Lion to restore, having got it to start downloading, it then came back with the message "Can't download the additional components needed to install OS X" I'm now stumped! Any help appreciated.

 

[gregb490]

I'm trying to get my late 2011 MacBook Pro ready for trade in. I followed the instructions to wipe erase the disc, then restarted with Command + R to get onto recovery mode. I selected Restore OS X and it selected Lion to restore, having got it to start downloading, it then came back with the message "Can't download the additional components needed to install OS X" I'm now stumped! Any help appreciated.

Only replying to say that I have an identical issue. Tried at least 4 times. Sadly I was mislead by other websites that said that I could just wipe the drive and do an internet re-install but I don't think you can with the 2011 model. It will only download Lion and then gives the "additional components" error.
I was using Yosemite so have downloaded that, but at the moment, cannot copy the .dmg onto an hfs formatted USB key, even if that provides an answer!

 

[pigoo3]

Use this Apple link to get/download older macOS versions. I used it a couple times recently...and it works great:

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.

support.apple.com

- Nick

 

[gregb490]

Use this Apple link to get/download older macOS versions. I used it a couple times recently...and it works great:

Thanks Nick.

I downloaded Yosemite and using a Ubuntu computer (I don't have access to another mac) burned the image to a USB key (Nothing I had would unpack it.) after a couple of goes. Etcher failed at first attempt. On the USB key was the .pkg (5.3gb).

When I started the macbook OPTION-R, it read the usb key and suddenly, instead of offering me Lion, it offered Yosemite 10.10. Excitement! Started the install, but got this message after a couple of minutes A required download is missing

I found that I could unpack the .pkg, so copied the contents of the Extract onto the USB key and repeated the exercise above. Again I got A required download is missing

I'm a bit stumped now.

(MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011))

 

[NSMacGuru]

There are two other options for Recovery Mode and macOS reinstallation:

Option/Alt + Command + R
Use this if you want to upgrade to the latest version of macOS that is compatible with your Mac.

Shift + Option + Command + R
This will install the version of macOS that came with your Mac, or the one closest to that version if it isn’t available as a download.

(via MacWorld UK)

 

[gregb490]

Thanks, but the

Option/Alt + Command + R

is where we started. Anyway, I've tried it again. It tries to install Lion then I get the same error

Can't download the additional components needed to install Mac OS X.

Shift + Option + Command + R

That's a new one on me so I tried it and it tried to install OS X 10.10 Yosemite when I got the same error as last time

A required download is missing

I feel I'm going round in circles a bit but appreciate your help.

 

[gregb490]

I'm trying to get my late 2011 MacBook Pro ready for trade in. I followed the instructions to wipe erase the disc, then restarted with Command + R to get onto recovery mode. I selected Restore OS X and it selected Lion to restore, having got it to start downloading, it then came back with the message "Can't download the additional components needed to install OS X" I'm now stumped! Any help appreciated.

I gave up, having tried everything, and ordered a USB key with pre-installed High-Sierra, from "winceyette" on ebay. I've now installed High-Sierra, following "winceyette's" clear instructions. It cost £15,84 inc, but it was worth it to avoid any more wasted time.

Conclusion: This model cannot have the OS reinstalled from the internet, so don't even try. (I do wish I had taken a time machine back up first, even though I didn't want the data.)

(MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011))

 

[MacInWin]

When you sell the unit, you owe it to the buyer that the installed system did not come from Apple. Third party sellers of the OS cannot be fully trusted not to have added things to the system that could be malicious. I'm not saying that your provider did that, just that the buyer has the right to know it's not from Apple so they can take whatever steps they feel they might need to protect themselves.

 

[gregb490]

When you sell the unit, you owe it to the buyer that the installed system did not come from Apple. Third party sellers of the OS cannot be fully trusted not to have added things to the system that could be malicious. I'm not saying that your provider did that, just that the buyer has the right to know it's not from Apple so they can take whatever steps they feel they might need to protect themselves.

Thank you for the warning. I had not considered that.

I have just noticed that someone did manage to overcome the problem, in this thread. additional components needed to install OS X

 

[MacInWin]

You might give it a go to see if you can get an "official" installation. May make selling the unit a bit easier than having to disclose the unofficial installation.