I erased the disk on an old MacBook with El Capitan and when I went to reinstall the original OS it goes to the Apple Store but it says it can connect now. I was able to download the OS on another MacBook but I can run the installer to put the files in the Applications folder so that I can make a boot disk because its a different version than the computer I'm using. This is the first time I'm trying any of this so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
MacBook Pro
Which Recovery node are you trying?
To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Command (⌘)-R
Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.
Shift-Option-⌘-R
Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
Indeed. Macs will only install the operating system they shipped with and newer operating systems.
http://checkcoverage.apple.com/
can help you date the computer via its serial number. Do not post the serial number on the Support Communities here. Anything older than July 22, 2011 you'll probably need another Mac that can run El Captain to install it on, and then use an exernal hard drive or target disk mode to move it over.
Hi, I also need help with this. I have a 2008 MacBook Pro that has El Capitan on it. I wanted to erase the drive and decommission the machine or let my 6yr old play with it. I went through a 7 Pass erase through the Recovery Startup. Then there was the option to Install Mac OS from within the Recovery Mode. I chose that and the app wanted to install El Capitan and said it needs to download extra content. It asked me to sign into iTunes then it downloaded the files. Maybe 20 minutes later the screen went back to the Recovery menu. I tried it 2 more times and it would not go through the install and there were no errors/warnings.
I then did Disk Utility First Aid and there were no issues. So I tried to install 10.4, 10.5 and 10.7 via disk and when I choose boot from CD/DVD the machine reboots and the disk starts up and runs continuously. The apple logo is on the screen with the spinning circle and nothing happens after about 10 minutes I shut it down.
At this point the machine doesn't work so I tried to restore via Time Machine and that worked fine. I then created a bootable USB for El Capitan following the Apple Support page instructions which went fairly smooth. I rebooted and chose the USB drive to boot/install from but this time the machine booted into Recovery Mode. I tried again thinking I must have chosen the wrong option but same result. I then I tried to choose the USB from the Recovery Mode startup option and yet it still boots into Recovery.
Lastly I went to the Recovery Mode Security utility to check on the firmware to see if other boot options were turned off and the password was off so that wasn't the issue.
Does anyone have a clue of what is going on here? I can't boot from DVD/USB and can't reinstall OSX from Recovery. I'm at a total loss at this point. Is my only option to get my personal data off is to create a new user and delete my user account?
I did Command + R. As EC is the latest OS available for the 2008 MBP.
As I mentioned, I also tried using my original install disc and the upgrade discs over the years but the machine wouldn’t boot from DVD.
when using Recovery install the install would just download and quit back to Recovery, not even restart it would just stop and the Recovery window appears.
Unfortunately I don’t have an external drive to install onto other than the USB which also didn’t work. The usb was recognized as a bootable install but once I select it the machine loads the Recovery Mode. I tried pressing enter and selecting with the mouse but both options bring me back to Recovery.
Guys help me! I’ve downloaded macOs el capitan from app store in a bootable usb pen drive. I’ve changed my ssd, so when insert the pen drive and start the mac with the button alt(option) pressed,he turn on but don’t see the apple logo or something like macos recovery or utilty disco! If i used anoter combination like cmd+r or something else appears a icon with a folder with flashing question mark. How can i do?
How old is the computer you are trying to install it on?
It is an older computer and I'm trying to make the boot disk on a new MacBook but I can't extract the installer files on the new MacBook because it's a new MacBook.
Can you try installing to an external drive & Shift-Option-⌘-R ?
Gulp, guess we're out of options. :(
Gulp, sounds like Hard Drive failure.
El Capitan reinstall
