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2009 iMac help needed - RESOLVED

Crotonmark

Crotonmark

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 22, 2011
195
17
Westchester County, NY
Hi All
Preparing my 2009 iMac for sale I erased the HD and tried to reinstall high Sierra in recovery mode. I have no idea how but something went wrong. When
I start the Mac I get a folder with a question mark. I know this means it can find the boot sector.
I’ve tried all of the restart methods. None work. I think i need a USB boot drive.
However my current Mac is Mohave and I can’t download high Sierra
Any suggestions?
 
Actually, you can download the 10.13.6 complete installer. Apple does not publicize this link but it exists. If no one has posted the correct link in a couple hours, I will when I get back to my office.

It will claim to be an update but when you see the file size is 5.2G (or whatever it really is), you'll know it's the one you want. I downloaded it just last week to create a USB installer and upgrade a client's Mac.
 
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It might be better to send it off with Sierra (because it is a 2009) and not High Sierra - and avoid the APFS format - IMHO

Have your tried these options when you restart?

Option-Command-R: Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
 Doing this, will launch internet recovery to find the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.



Shift-Option-Command-R: Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the version closest to it that is still available. 
Doing this, will launch internet recovery to find the version of macOS that came with your Mac.
 
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mikehalloran said:
Actually, you can download the 10.13.6 complete installer. Apple does not publicize this link but it exists. If no one has posted the correct link in a couple hours, I will when I get back to my office.

It will claim to be an update but when you see the file size is 5.2G (or whatever it really is), you'll know it's the one you want. I downloaded it just last week to create a USB installer and upgrade a client's Mac.
Click to expand...

I’d appreciate the link. I downloaded install disk created to create the usb installer once i get the file
[doublepost=1557000858][/doublepost]
mikzn said:
It might be better to send it off with Sierra (because it is a 2009) and not High Sierra - and avoid the APFS format - IMHO

Have your tried these options when you restart?

Option-Command-R: Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
 Doing this, will launch internet recovery to find the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.



Shift-Option-Command-R: Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the version closest to it that is still available. 
Doing this, will launch internet recovery to find the version of macOS that came with your Mac.
Click to expand...
Yes. Thanks. All I get is the folder w flashing question mark
 
mikzn said:
It might be better to send it off with Sierra (because it is a 2009) and not High Sierra - and avoid the APFS format - IMHO
Click to expand...
Why would someone avoid that?

If it's a late 2009, 21.5" or 27", and you boot from an SSD, you want APFS. The release builds of High Sierra will not format an HDD or Fusion APFS (except when it was in beta and there were problems).

An early 2009 20" or 24" is limited to El Capitán.

I'll post the link and directions for making the USB boot drive. It's a copy and paste once I'm at my iMac.
 
mikehalloran said:
Why would someone avoid that?

If it's a late 2009 and you boot from an SSD, you want APFS. The release builds of High Sierra will not format an HDD or Fusion APFS (except when it was in beta and there were problems).

An early 2009 24" is limited to El Capitán.

I'll post the link and directions for making the USB boot drive. It's a copy and paste once I'm at my iMac.
Click to expand...
Thanks
It is a late 2009 iMac with a spinning HD
Really appreciate this
 
The 2009 won't boot to internet recovery (too old), so if you have successfully erased the hard drive, then likely the recovery system is also gone, which would explain why you can't get any kind of boot now.
The choice now is to use (or find) a bootable USB installer (or a DVD installer disk)
I expect that mikehalloran will respond with the links to make an installer on USB. You will have to download the EL Capitan, Sierra, or High Sierra installer app. You will need one of those to make the USB installer.
(You can certainly download High Sierra on your Mojave system - using the right links. Here's a page that has a link. Not sure if you can download it from there if your newer Mac is too new to support High Sierra - but worth a try...
 
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Thanks. That’s what I want to do. The attempt to reinstall the OS from the recovery mode just fouled out somewhere
Your explanation is as valid as any
Tho I was running high Sierra and there was a recovery partition
 
DeltaMac said:
The 2009 won't boot to internet recovery (too old),
Click to expand...
Like much of the info in this thread, this, also, is wrong. High Sierra and Mojave boot drives have a recovery partition as long as you used the correct OS installer. If, however, there is another OS on a partition or connected drive anywhere in the system, you will not be able to access it. My workaround is to have any bootable OS on removable externals so that when/if I have to access the Repair Partition (APFS Snapshots etc.), I remove the external before booting with the Command r keys held down.

Anyway, as promised, here is the link to the complete OS 10.13.6 installer. It will open a page that links to the download in the App Store —if not automatically, there will be a prompt.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?ls=1&mt=12
 
thanks but no go
My functioning mac is running Mojave
When I click on the link above it opens the page in the app store and tells me that the Mac OS is not available
It then tells me I m on Mojave and up to date
 
How to Make A Bootable USB Disk of OSX

Have a backup. A Time Machine or your old Mac is fine as long as the backup is not a newer OS than the one you are trying to install.

Download the correct complete installer. When it tries to run (or tells you it's too old to run on your Mac), Quit. The installer will now be found in your Applications folder. Leave it there.

Insert your 8GB or larger USB external stick/drive*. Change the name to MyVolume. This is important or the following Terminal Commands will not work. This process will erase, reformat and rename the drive to that of the OS installer.

Launch Terminal from /Applications/Utilities and enter the command below (copy & paste) and then your password when prompted.

High Sierra
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app


Mojave
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app


Sierra
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app

El Capitán
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app


Yosemite
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Patriot --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app


Mavericks
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app


Terminal will tell you when done. Insert the USB Installer into the Mac you wish to install. Shut down. Hold the Option key on startup. Select the installer drive. After it boots, you may have to run Disk Utility from the Installer to update the drivers or reformat/erase the drive if downgrading the OS before the installer works. Quit Disk Utility and run the Installer.

High Sierra/Mavericks may run firmware updates and will format an SSD to APFS by default. If you don't want this, you can change after the OS install in Disk Utility— it will erase the drive.


*Some recent inexpensive USB sticks will show a correct installation and are visible in an Option boot but will not work—you'll get the circle with the line across. If you encounter this, use another brand of USB stick. Older and expensive ones always work. The $5.99 cheapo from Best Buy doesn't.
[doublepost=1557015085][/doublepost]
Crotonmark said:
thanks but no go
My functioning mac is running Mojave
When I click on the link above it opens the page in the app store and tells me that the Mac OS is not available
It then tells me I m on Mojave and up to date
Click to expand...

I downloaded from that link a few days ago onto my iMac Pro running Mojave. When done, the installer opened and gave me that message. Quit the installer. You can now make the USB installer from a Mac running Mojave.

I just downloaded it again. I'll see if I can find another site that won't give you grief. Back in a few.
 
Last edited:
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mikehalloran said:
How to Make A Bootable USB Disk of OSX

Have a backup. A Time Machine or your old Mac is fine as long as the backup is not a newer OS than the one you are trying to install.

Download the correct complete installer. When it tries to run (or tells you it's too old to run on your Mac), Quit. The installer will now be found in your Applications folder. Leave it there.

Insert your 8GB or larger USB external stick/drive*. Change the name to MyVolume. This is important or the following Terminal Commands will not work. This process will erase, reformat and rename the drive to that of the OS installer.

Launch Terminal from /Applications/Utilities and enter the command below (copy & paste) and then your password when prompted.

High Sierra
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app


Mojave
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app


Sierra
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app

El Capitán
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app


Yosemite
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Patriot --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app


Mavericks
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app


Terminal will tell you when done. Insert the USB Installer into the Mac you wish to install. Shut down. Hold the Option key on startup. Select the installer drive. After it boots, you may have to run Disk Utility from the Installer to update the drivers or reformat/erase the drive if downgrading the OS before the installer works. Quit Disk Utility and run the Installer.

High Sierra/Mavericks may run firmware updates and will format an SSD to APFS by default. If you don't want this, you can change after the OS install in Disk Utility— it will erase the drive.


*Some recent inexpensive USB sticks will show a correct installation and are visible in an Option boot but will not work—you'll get the circle with the line across. If you encounter this, use another brand of USB stick. Older and expensive ones always work. The $5.99 cheapo from Best Buy doesn't.
[doublepost=1557015085][/doublepost]

I downloaded from that link a few days ago onto my iMac Pro running Mojave. When done, the installer opened and gave me that message. Quit the installer. You can now make the USB installer from a Mac running Mojave.
Click to expand...

This is weird but I don’t get the installer.
 
Ha! I found your problem! You have a High Sierra or Mojave installer on your system.

Here's what to do:

Find the installer. Zip (compress) it. Rename the zipped file to Install macOS High Sierra 10.13.6.app.zip or Install macOS Mojave 10.14.4.app.zip — for good measure, move the zip file(s) to your desktop.

Trash the original installers.

Now the link works correctly and the download will work as advertised.

I always zip the installers when I'm done as I never know what OS installer I need to make — that's why it works for me. When I left an unzipped installer on my system, I got the same error as you. Did my normal routine and it downloaded again.

I learn something new every day.
 
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mikehalloran said:
Ha! I found your problem! You have a High Sierra or Mojave installer on your system.

Here's what to do:

Find the installer. Zip (compress) it. Rename the zipped file to Install macOS High Sierra 10.13.6.app.zip or Install macOS Mojave 10.14.4.app.zip — for good measure, move the zip file(s) to your desktop.

Trash the original installers.

Now the link works correctly and the download will work as advertised.

I always zip the installers when I'm done as I never know what OS installer I need to make — that's why it works for me. When I left an unzipped installer on my system, I got the same error as you. Did my normal routine and it downloaded again.

I learn something new every day.
Click to expand...
Again, weirdly, I can't find it with a spotlight search? ‍♂️
 
Who can? i'll spare you my rant about Spotlight.

Use Find from the File menu to search instead.

Still check the Applications folder. If you've not moved it, that's where it will be. Sort by Name in case it's hiding. It will begin with Install...

If you just cannot get it, I have it. Contact me directly. FTP, GoogleDrive, Dropbox if you have 6G room... Contact me back channel. I have 10.13.6 and 10.13.3 for DisplayLink users zipped and ready.
 
I'm feeling like a weirdo
My Mac is brand new - apple installed Mojave for me
I do NOT have an install file on my machine EXCEPT for Adobe (long story)
I need to buy a USB thumb drive to install
WHEN i get the file
 
Crotonmark said:
Thanks
What I want to know is why the simple use of the existing recovery mode reinstall went so wrong
Click to expand...
i had to do something to get mountain loin up on my air that took to long and was tedious.
we can use our online or rebooting sources anymore like just last year!
 
If you erased the system boot partition (the partition with the name, such as Macintosh HD, or something else if you have changed the name), that only affects that partition, and the recovery system partition would not be affected. If you chose to erase the drive (selected the listing with the manufacturer's info), then that would erase all partitions, including the recovery partition. That's likely what happened.

Take advantage of mikehalloran's offer to send you the macOS installer.

You can't download the installer that you want, because Apple won't start a normal download of the installer on a system that can't actually boot to that older system. Your new Mac is too new, and only is compatible with the Mojave system and newer. You WILL be able to make a bootable installer, as that is simply a software function to write files to a USB partition or flash drive.
 
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DeltaMac said:
If you erased the system boot partition (the partition with the name, such as Macintosh HD, or something else if you have changed the name), that only affects that partition, and the recovery system partition would not be affected. If you chose to erase the drive (selected the listing with the manufacturer's info), then that would erase all partitions, including the recovery partition. That's likely what happened.

Take advantage of mikehalloran's offer to send you the macOS installer.

You can't download the installer that you want, because Apple won't start a normal download of the installer on a system that can't actually boot to that older system. Your new Mac is too new, and only is compatible with the Mojave system and newer. You WILL be able to make a bootable installer, as that is simply a software function to write files to a USB partition or flash drive.
Click to expand...
thanks - clear explanation of what I did
 
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