Secondhand MAC can't reinstall OS

[sytharnia]

Hi

New here and did a search but couldn't find any helpful info so .. I just bought an older Mac for the mother in law (2009 24 inch) .. the previous owner did a full erase. When I try reinstalling Yosemite it asked for apple ID straight away and then won't go any further. If I put in my Apple ID it says "currently unavailable try again later" (so I assume because all the new macs I have bought have had different OS on them) and when I set up an ID for the M in L it comes up "this account hasn't been used at the app store yet" ... I have watched dozens of videos and nothing has helped .. so any help here would be greatly appreciated

 

[lclev]

I am stumped. I get what is causing the issue. In order to download Yosemite the apple id used has to have downloaded it in the past since it is an older OS. Thus the error message. Another issue is that the Mac you are using to download Yosemite must be able to run it. So suggesting you download it with another Mac and make an installer disk won't work as your Apple ID is not working now to download it.

I would either use someone's apple id that has downloaded Yosemite, or even El Capitan as it can run that also, and download that way. The other is to call Apple and see if they would be willing to help.

You may be able to download El Capitan from this link and make a bootable installer on another Mac.

That's all I can think of. If something else comes to mind I post back.

 

[sytharnia]

I am stumped. I get what is causing the issue. In order to download Yosemite the apple id used has to have downloaded it in the past since it is an older OS. Thus the error message. Another issue is that the Mac you are using to download Yosemite must be able to run it. So suggesting you download it with another Mac and make an installer disk won't work as your Apple ID is not working now to download it.

I would either use someone's apple id that has downloaded Yosemite, or even El Capitan as it can run that also, and download that way. The other is to call Apple and see if they would be willing to help.

You may be able to download El Capitan from this link and make a bootable installer on another Mac.

That's all I can think of. If something else comes to mind I post back.

thanks for the reply. I have follow the instructions from apple support for internet download and it seems to default to Yosemite so I assume that must have been what it shipped with, none of my other macs came with yosemite. I tried installing from time machine from another mac that is running Seirra and at wouldn't do it ... trying to contact the seller to see if they can help

 

[lclev]

Contacting the seller would be a good next step. Good luck!

Lisa

 

[krs]

From what I see, that Mac was originally shipped with macOS 10.5 (Leopard) and can be upgraded to maOS 10.11 ( El Capitan).
I would install El Capitan on it which I think is a good release.
Randy usually has good links where one can download an older installer from Apple - maybe he will chek yhis thread and make a suggestion.

 

[lclev]

If you want to try this link here is where you can download older versions:

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

Lisa

 

[sytharnia]

From what I see, that Mac was originally shipped with macOS 10.5 (Leopard) and can be upgraded to maOS 10.11 ( El Capitan).
I would install El Capitan on it which I think is a good release.
Randy usually has good links where one can download an older installer from Apple - maybe he will chek yhis thread and make a suggestion.

That is what the seller thinks as well, He has offered me my money back but I really want to try and get it going (it was only $40) ... I have an original Leopard disk and tried it yesterday and it just kept restarting and no apple symbol showed up, it was just white screen then restart..any tips?

Thanks so far guy

 

[sytharnia]

If you want to try this link here is where you can download older versions:

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

Lisa

Will try that if the disk doesn't work .. thanks

 

[sytharnia]

any advice on fixing the new account "error" I get that says "this account hasn't been used at the app store yet" ... ?? ... how do I activate the account? have logged in on my mac and itunes and the app store. Do I need to buy something on that account or something?

 

[lclev]

any advice on fixing the new account "error" I get that says "this account hasn't been used at the app store yet" ... ?? ... how do I activate the account? have logged in on my mac and itunes and the app store. Do I need to buy something on that account or something?

You could try using the account to download something free. I don't think that will help as the account still will not show it ever downloaded any version of OS from the app store.

Lisa

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I would install El Capitan on it which I think is a good release.
Randy usually has good links where one can download an older installer from Apple - maybe he will chek yhis thread and make a suggestion.

Each of these links have worked for me at one time to download El Capitan:

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

‎OS X El Capitan

‎This version of OS X El Capitan is for users running OS X Snow Leopard or OS X Lion who would like to upgrade to macOS High Sierra. If you are running Snow Leopard or Lion and would like to upgrade to High Sierra, you need to install El Capitan first. This version of El Capitan can also be...

itunes.apple.com

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

 

[krs]

I have an original Leopard disk and tried it yesterday and it just kept restarting and no apple symbol showed up, it was just white screen then restart..any tips?

Is the Leopard disk the retail version or the right machine specific one for this Mac?
Then it should have worked.
How sure are you that this Mac is actually func tional?

 

[Mac Man 2007]

Have you tried this link?

Download OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 Combo Update - Apple Support

The OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 update includes the new Photos app and improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[AirBear]

As a last resort try installing Ubuntu Linux. Back in 2020 I refurbished several donated Mac's that we gave to low income families with school age kids to use for remote school. When I couldn't get an OS to install for reasons similar to what you have I was able to get Ubuntu Linux to work. There's a wifi driver you may need, if so Google that, it was easy to find and install but I've forgotten the details.

Enterprise Open Source and Linux | Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the modern, open source operating system on Linux for the enterprise server, desktop, cloud, and IoT.

ubuntu.com

 

[ValterV]

I just bought an older Mac for the mother in law (2009 24 inch)

I have the exact same iMac and, though now 13 years old, it's still going strong (although with upgraded Ram and a new 1TB HD). Hence I support your decision to try to make it work. The screen is a beauty

Regarding the OS, I loved OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard) but I had to update to 10.9 (Maverick), and I stopped there. I would avoid 10.5; AFAIK it wasn't a great release.
If I were you, I would try to find a 10.9 or 10.6 somewhere. Or 10.11 (although maybe that could slow it down).

I'm afraid I didn't really help, but I thought to give you my feedback anyway. Good luck!

 

[shanaza]

As a last resort try installing Ubuntu Linux. Back in 2020 I refurbished several donated Mac's that we gave to low income families with school age kids to use for remote school. When I couldn't get an OS to install for reasons similar to what you have I was able to get Ubuntu Linux to work. There's a wifi driver you may need, if so Google that, it was easy to find and install but I've forgotten the details.

Enterprise Open Source and Linux | Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the modern, open source operating system on Linux for the enterprise server, desktop, cloud, and IoT.

ubuntu.com

I have the same model, installed Ubuntu on it and would hang (forced me to power off) each time I opened Firefox. So, I installed the Debian version of Linux and it works great (ethernet connected, have not bothered to install the wireless component).

 

[Procrastinus]

I found the simplest solution was to buy a Snow Leopard retail installation disk, install it and then update to lastest OS for your Mac

 

[IWT]

I found the simplest solution was to buy a Snow Leopard retail installation disk, install it and then update to lastest OS for your Mac

I think that's a very good suggestion. Any Installation Disk, whether Leopard or Snow Leopard must be RETAIL.

I foresee two potential difficulties:

Might be difficult to acquire such a Retail Disk
The Mac's Hard Drive may be defective and what makes me suspect such, is this comment by the OP:

"I have an original Leopard disk and tried it yesterday and it just kept restarting and no apple symbol showed up, it was just white screen then restart..any tips?"

Ian

 

[krs]

The Mac's Hard Drive may be defective and what makes me suspect such, is this comment by the OP:

"I have an original Leopard disk and tried it yesterday and it just kept restarting and no apple symbol showed up, it was just white screen then restart..any tips?"

Ian

Wouldn't the Mac not just boot up with the install disk even if the hard drive is defective?
When I read that comment by the OP, I thought that either the the Leopard disk is defective, the DVD drive has a problem or the issue is the motherboard.

To figure out what the issue is, I would download a compatible macOS (to a working Mac obviously) from one of the links previously posted and use that to create a USB installer.
Then use that installer on the problem Mac.

 

[Procrastinus]

eBay sell retail Snow Leopard disks from time to time . In fact one was sold recently for just over £10.

That rebooting loop may have something to do with the date settings ( basically expired!) If that is the case then I believe the cure is to open a terminal and type in one of these "dates":

date 0101010116
date 0923020415

Good luck!