-Bootcamp- Mac partition deleted, internet recovery won't work, won't boot from bootable usb

[WillemFraser]

Hey!

I've been given an imac from work, it's loaded with bootcamp, but the mac partitions have been deleted. They're still there, but nothing on them.

I've tried changing startup disks when turning on, but only windows is available. I've also got a bootable USB, but when I try to start up with that, i get directed to apple support. I don't care about saving the data on the windows partition, but just want macos back.

Cheers!

 

[DeltaMac]

Can you tell us what Mac model you have? There will be a label on the bottom of the stand that will tell you some information. A good start would be the model number, which begins with A - such as A1311, or A2116. There should also be an EMC number, such as 2308, or 2211, or 3069. Those are only examples. Each model year is different, and the model that you have might show that you can't use internet recovery because your model is too old (older than 2010, for example), or that your bootable USB may not be the correct version of the operating system to boot the iMac that you have.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Try this. No promises.

Boot to INTERNET recovery:
Command-OPTION-R
at boot

You'll need your wifi password (if you're connecting via wifi instead of ethernet).
The internet utilities take a while to load, so be patient "as the globe spins".

When you get to the utilities, open disk utility.
VERY IMPORTANT STEP: go to the "view" menu and choose "show all devices".
NOTE: If there IS NOT a "view" menu, skip and go to next step.

Now look at "the list on the left".
The topmost item should be the actual drive inside.
We need to erase it and start over.

Click the line for the drive, then click "erase".
Since we don't know what year the iMac is, there are two erase choices.
If one doesn't work, start this entire process over, and then choose the OTHER one.

First choice:
Try "Mac OS extended, journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

If that doesn't work, the second choice will be:
"APFS, GUID partition format".

Once the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
Start clicking through.
The Mac will restart one or more times, and the screen may go dark for a minute or more with no other indication of activity. Be patient.

When the install is done, you should see the initial setup screen "choose your language".
Just start working your way through, set up an account, etc.

PRINT OUT this reply and keep it for reference as you work.
Good luck.

 

[WillemFraser]

Thanks! It’s A1418

Can you tell us what Mac model you have? There will be a label on the bottom of the stand that will tell you some information. A good start would be the model number, which begins with A - such as A1311, or A2116. There should also be an EMC number, such as 2308, or 2211, or 3069. Those are only examples. Each model year is different, and the model that you have might show that you can't use internet recovery because your model is too old (older than 2010, for example), or that your bootable USB may not be the correct version of the operating system to boot the iMac that you have.

 

[WillemFraser]

OP:

Try this. No promises.

Boot to INTERNET recovery:
Command-OPTION-R
at boot

You'll need your wifi password (if you're connecting via wifi instead of ethernet).
The internet utilities take a while to load, so be patient "as the globe spins".

When you get to the utilities, open disk utility.
VERY IMPORTANT STEP: go to the "view" menu and choose "show all devices".
NOTE: If there IS NOT a "view" menu, skip and go to next step.

Now look at "the list on the left".
The topmost item should be the actual drive inside.
We need to erase it and start over.

Click the line for the drive, then click "erase".
Since we don't know what year the iMac is, there are two erase choices.
If one doesn't work, start this entire process over, and then choose the OTHER one.

First choice:
Try "Mac OS extended, journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

If that doesn't work, the second choice will be:
"APFS, GUID partition format".

Once the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
Start clicking through.
The Mac will restart one or more times, and the screen may go dark for a minute or more with no other indication of activity. Be patient.

When the install is done, you should see the initial setup screen "choose your language".
Just start working your way through, set up an account, etc.

PRINT OUT this reply and keep it for reference as you work.
Good luck.

Thank you! I’ve tried internet recovery, the globe spins and then times out and displays link to apple support 😭😭

 

[DeltaMac]

hmmm... A1418 is any 21.5-inch iMac from 2012 to 2017. That's 8 different models over that time.
Do you know which year you have? The EMC number will help determine that.

Be sure to try Command-Option-r
The timeout, with the Apple support error is often a network configuration question, and not usually a problem with the Mac
What are you using for an internet connection?
Wired ethernet may be your best choice, if you have that available.

But, first, try an NVRAM reset: Restart the iMac, holding the Option-Command-p and -r.
You should hear a boot chime. Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime two more times.
While that third chime is sounding, change the key combo to the internet recovery, Option-Command-R
It may work this time.

 

[WillemFraser]

hmmm... A1418 is any 21.5-inch iMac from 2012 to 2017. That's 8 different models over that time.
Do you know which year you have? The EMC number will help determine that.

Be sure to try Command-Option-r
The timeout, with the Apple support error is often a network configuration question, and not usually a problem with the Mac
What are you using for an internet connection?
Wired ethernet may be your best choice, if you have that available.

But, first, try an NVRAM reset: Restart the iMac, holding the Option-Command-p and -r.
You should hear a boot chime. Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime two more times.
While that third chime is sounding, change the key combo to the internet recovery, Option-Command-R
It may work this time.

EMC 2742

Followed your instructions but still getting the time out. Losing hope 😂😂

 

[DeltaMac]

You have a Late 2013, 21.5-inch iMac.
Your iMac originally shipped with Mountain Lion (10.8.4) or Mavericks (OS X 10.9.2), and latest supported system is Catalina (macOS 10.15.7)
Do you know what OS version is on the bootable installer that you have now? You should be able to erase, then install any system from Mountain Lion to Catalina. If you can't boot to your installer, and it is within that range from 10.8.5 to 10.15.7, then I suspect that your bootable installer is not correctly made.
For the internet recovery boot, some companies will install modifications to the firmware, so that could be a reason that your iMac won't connect to your home network. You should try to contact your IT/support people at work, if possible.
If you are sure that is not an issue, then I suggest that you should try taking your iMac to another location (different router, different network), just to see if you can successfully connect to any network.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

When you use internet recovery, are you connecting via wifi or ethernet?

If you're using wifi, STOP using it, and connect directly to ethernet -- even if you have to MOVE the iMac to do so.

Then try internet recovery again.

 

[WillemFraser]

You have a Late 2013, 21.5-inch iMac.
Your iMac originally shipped with Mountain Lion (10.8.4) or Mavericks (OS X 10.9.2), and latest supported system is Catalina (macOS 10.15.7)
Do you know what OS version is on the bootable installer that you have now? You should be able to erase, then install any system from Mountain Lion to Catalina. If you can't boot to your installer, and it is within that range from 10.8.5 to 10.15.7, then I suspect that your bootable installer is not correctly made.
For the internet recovery boot, some companies will install modifications to the firmware, so that could be a reason that your iMac won't connect to your home network. You should try to contact your IT/support people at work, if possible.
If you are sure that is not an issue, then I suggest that you should try taking your iMac to another location (different router, different network), just to see if you can successfully connect to any network.

Bootable is Monterey and plugged directly into Ethernet. Will try an earlier system. Thanks!

 

[WillemFraser]

OP:

When you use internet recovery, are you connecting via wifi or ethernet?

If you're using wifi, STOP using it, and connect directly to ethernet -- even if you have to MOVE the iMac to do so.

Then try internet recovery again.

Thanks! I’m plugged directly into Ethernet but having same issue unfortunately

 

[DeltaMac]

Your iMac came from a business.
Do you have any question about the internet configuration, which would have made your iMac firmware configuration different, meaning that you cannot connect to another network, other than your work network?

 

[Fishrrman]

DeltaMac is onto what may be the source of the problem.

You said the iMac "came from work"?
If so, it may have special software installed by the IT department (at work) that is blocking your attempts to reformat the drive and install new software.

You had best talk to them to find out if this is the case, and if it is, what you (or they) need to do to remove such software...

 

[WillemFraser]

Your iMac came from a business.
Do you have any question about the internet configuration, which would have made your iMac firmware configuration different, meaning that you cannot connect to another network, other than your work network?

I don't think this would be an issue. It's a very small business with no IT department. It is currently able to be connected to my home WIFI and ethernet.

 

[WillemFraser]

DeltaMac is onto what may be the source of the problem.

You said the iMac "came from work"?
If so, it may have special software installed by the IT department (at work) that is blocking your attempts to reformat the drive and install new software.

You had best talk to them to find out if this is the case, and if it is, what you (or they) need to do to remove such software...

Unfortunately this is not possible as they had no IT department, and the boss has no idea what he did, and to be honest seems to be even less knowledgeable than myself.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Do you have ANOTHER Mac you can use?
A WORKING Mac?

If so, what Mac is it, what year made, and what OS is it running?