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

The date reset does not change the installer that you have available.
If you are booted to internet recovery (you booted with Option-Command-R), then that will usually offer you the system that your Mac originally shipped with. Sounds like that would be Lion for you.
If you want to update to El Capitan (or need to do a clean install of El Capitan), then the best method is to download the El Capitan installer app first. Use that app to make a bootable installer on a USB flash drive (or a small partition on an external USB drive - there's lots of choices here). Boot to that El Capitan installer, where you have to use the terminal to change the system date (and your command is OK for that), and THEN you will find that El Capitan will install.

If you need to download the El Capitan installer, Apple support has a download link for that, among other macOS installers: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
The linked page also describes how to make the bootable installer in your terminal.
 
jonesey5 said:
I just went though this process to get a MacBook Pro 2011 to reinstall an OS on a blank HD. There's a bunch of great ideas with creating a boot thumb drive and changing the date in BIOS but what eventually worked (thank God!) was pretty simple. First I cleared the PRAM by booting up while holding [Command, Option, P, R] and let it reboot twice. Here's a link for this process:

www.digitaltrends.com

Is your Mac acting strange? Here’s how to reset the PRAM and SMC

Resetting your PRAM and SMC can alleviate all sorts of issues, including those related to charging and sluggishness. Here's how to do so.
www.digitaltrends.com www.digitaltrends.com

Next, reboot in recovery mode but go with the option to install the latest compatible OS [Option/Alt, Command, R], not the Lion that came with the Mac. I think the problem I was having, like some of you, is that the BIOS was probably upgraded at some point and the recovery tool can't install the original OS. Since you cleared the PRAM, you'll have to enter your WiFi info along with other settings like timezone when you boot into recovery mode.

Please let me know if this works for someone else.
Click to expand...

If ANYONE is still having this issue - Response #40 is the solution. Thanks SO MUCH to Jonesey5 for taking the time to make the suggestion. HAHA, I actually created an account just to post this thank you. 'Cause DAMN did it ever save me from losing my mind. :)
 
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Hello Guys. I erased my drive to reinstall Lion on MacbookAir 2011, but it isnt working and I get the "cant download additional components" message. Tried the solution from Comment #40. It takes me into network recovery. I see the spinning globe. It then takes me into Max OSX Utilities. But the I do not see the option to download any OSX other than Lion. Please Help.
 
You said that you want to reinstall Lion. Then you said that internet recovery shows you only Lion (no other options)...
Isn't that what you want - Lion?
 
I am fine with downloading any macOS. Lion would not be a problem except that when I try to install it, I get the error in the title of the thread:
"Can’t download the additional components needed to install Mac OS X"
A screenshot is attached with the message.


1600013271149.png



So I thought that option in comment number 40 would work for me and I could get a macOS other than Lion. However, it does not. I suspect it is because I have never had any macOS on it higher than El Capitan, 10.11. I believe this is the case because of a paragraph I found on apple support website. (screenshot of that is also attached in the message)
1600013491315.png


Thus even doing command+option+R only take me to the download of Lion and nothing else.
Additionally, I have tried to use USB and Transmac, but the Startup Disk does not recognize anything and is blank. It does not see the empty mac disk nor the bootable USB disk when I plug it in.

I do not see any other option for me to get an OS now and my macbook air is reduced to paperweight.
Please Help if you have any ideas.
Thank you.
 
mangogalaxy said:
I am fine with downloading any macOS. Lion would not be a problem except that when I try to install it, I get the error in the title of the thread:

Thus even doing command+option+R only take me to the download of Lion and nothing else.
Additionally, I have tried to use USB and Transmac, but the Startup Disk does not recognize anything and is blank. It does not see the empty mac disk nor the bootable USB disk when I plug it in.

I do not see any other option for me to get an OS now and my macbook air is reduced to paperweight.
Please Help if you have any ideas.
Click to expand...
Your options are limited since you already erased your 2011 MBA and Internet Recovery only will install Lion.

Do you have another Mac that will boot so you can download macOS installer apps?
Is Lion the only macOS ever installed on the 2011 MBA?

Lion was the original macOS that shipped with your 2011 MBA and Internet Recovery should be able to successfully download and install Lion. Since it will not, I would recommend calling Apple support for help.

Apple Support

getsupport.apple.com getsupport.apple.com
 
Contacted Support. First they also suggested command+option+r, then they gave me option to buy Lion USB Drive for 20 dollars. Alternatively, they directed me to nearest ABM care center. Will update on how that goes.
 
I’m having the same problem. I have a 2011 MacBook Pro. It’s trying to install Mac OS X Lion, after cleaning my computer because I want to sell it. I’ve tried the suggestions in post #40 and keep getting errors. I’ve gotten error 2002f and 5010f. Help please!
 
Gina Mullen said:
I’m having the same problem. I have a 2011 MacBook Pro. It’s trying to install Mac OS X Lion, after cleaning my computer because I want to sell it. I’ve tried the suggestions in post #40 and keep getting errors. I’ve gotten error 2002f and 5010f. Help please!
Click to expand...
I have not experienced the errors you listed, but I googled the error numbers and found 2 suggestions that seemed relevant.
Error 2002f

error 2002F - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com discussions.apple.com
I have had good luck with DNS 8.8.8.8.

Error 5010f
appuals.com

FIX: Error 5010F When Reinstalling OS X via Internet Recovery

Reinstalling your Operating System can sometimes be a necessary measure, but that does not make it any less tedious. This applies to all of the Operating
appuals.com appuals.com
 
CoastalOR said:
I have not experienced the errors you listed, but I googled the error numbers and found 2 suggestions that seemed relevant.
Error 2002f

error 2002F - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com discussions.apple.com
I have had good luck with DNS 8.8.8.8.

Error 5010f
appuals.com

FIX: Error 5010F When Reinstalling OS X via Internet Recovery

Reinstalling your Operating System can sometimes be a necessary measure, but that does not make it any less tedious. This applies to all of the Operating
appuals.com appuals.com
Click to expand...

How do I set the dns to 8.8.8.8? I’m not very techy.
 
Gina Mullen said:
How do I set the dns to 8.8.8.8? I’m not very techy.
Click to expand...
It has been 9 or 10 years since using Lion, but IIRC (If I Recall Correctly)...
From a bootable OS:
System Preferences>Network>Wi-Fi>Advanced... (button)>DNS section>DNS Servers +> type 8.8.8.8 and drag it to the top of the list then reboot.
Make sure the 8.8.8.8 is in the top of the list.

If no bootable OS then check/modify the DNS server preferences in your Router (you would have to reference your Router manual for instructions).
 
mangogalaxy said:
Contacted Support. First they also suggested command+option+r, then they gave me option to buy Lion USB Drive for 20 dollars. Alternatively, they directed me to nearest ABM care center. Will update on how that goes.
Click to expand...
UPDATE: Went into the store, they plugged some ethernet looking cable in there, and downloaded it for me for free.
I asked and they said all macOS software downloads are free, if no hardware damage with the mac.
Try and contact support if you have no other option guys.
Thanks for the advice CoastalOR
 
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I had the same problem, as I don't have another MAC, I only have a Windows PC, I managed to solve it by creating an installation disc from MAC OS Lion on a virtual machine using VirtualBox. For those who have another MAC, just create the disk on the MAC, for those who don't, install VirtualBox and install MAC OS on it, then create an installation disk using the DWG of the OS installation. I tried to use the TransMAC software and several others on Windows to create the disk, but it doesn't work, it has to be created from a macos system.
 
I’m sure you figured it out by now but same thing happened to me. I tried and tried and even had a great connection but I read some where that I needed to hook straight up to router using Ethernet. And shizammmmm it worked. Hook directly with Ethernet. It like it all to itself. Thanks jillian
 
Hi all -

I've really gone and botched my old MacBook Air model # A1369 / EMC 2469

Think I've messed up the "wipe" and clean install to a point of almost no return. I've tried the Terminal fix with the date and all of the other things on here. It will NOT reboot or do a clean install of Lion MacOS.

What are my options for a PM to get a file or a download link? I have a brand new MacBook Air so I'm pretty flexible in terms of making a bootable thumb drive....

Many thanks... trying to turn my kid in to an early Apple user/fan with my super old but nice Mac so any help is much appreciated.
 
"I've really gone and botched my old MacBook Air model # A1369 / EMC 2469"

You need to tell us WHICH YEAR your MacBook was made.
There were several different models that used the same identifier.
You can determine WHICH ONE you have by going to this page:

Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup - lookup Apple Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad specs by serial number, order number, model number, model ID, EMC number and more.
everymac.com everymac.com

I'm going to take an off-the-cuff GUESS that the OS version you ought to try is El Capitan, OS 10.11.x

You can get a copy by clicking this link:
WARNING: clicking this link initiates an immediate download.

Then, you can try to use DiskMaker X to create a bootable USB flashdrive.
Use a 16gb flashdrive formatted to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.

The version of DiskMaker X that you need is here:
WARNING: clicking this link initiates an immediate download.

Then give Diskmaker a try and see if it can access the dmg file that El Cap comes in.

When you have the bootable flashdrive created, connect it to the MacBook and hold down the option key when booting.
 
priitv8 said:
I do not believe there exists a physical disc to install that.
But I happen to have them installer packages. You only need to create a bootable media (USB or disc) out of it.
Mavericks weighs in at 5,31GB
Send me a PM and I will give you a download link.
Click to expand...


Hello; does anyone have Lion 10.7 that can be put on a USB to overcome the "can't download components" isssue?

I'm in the same position. Tried purchasing Lion from Apple, they sent me a code to redeem in the app store but it failed to download. I've been on a wild goose chase trying to find a solution and I think the only thing that will work is to have a local copy of the OS on a USB stick. The recovery, download, etc. none of that works.
 
priitv8 said:
I do not believe there exists a physical disc to install that.
But I happen to have them installer packages. You only need to create a bootable media (USB or disc) out of it.
Mavericks weighs in at 5,31GB
Send me a PM and I will give you a download link.
Click to expand...
Hey can you help me with the download link I am quite a rookie
 
Viinaaaay said:
Hey can you help me with the download link I am quite a rookie
Click to expand...
Can I get a download link please? Bought OS X Lion from app store and dont see a link in app store to download the same. wasted last few days with apple support on this.
 
Vinayak Saokar said:
Can I get a download link please? Bought OS X Lion from app store and dont see a link in app store to download the same. wasted last few days with apple support on this.
Click to expand...
Apple will send you a email with a content code to download Lion from the App Store. If you have a problem contact Apple Support to assist with your purchase problem.

Check the "What you receive:" section of the link:

OS X Lion 10.7 - Apple

Apple Store Search Results
www.apple.com
 
priitv8 said:
I do not believe there exists a physical disc to install that.
But I happen to have them installer packages. You only need to create a bootable media (USB or disc) out of it.
Mavericks weighs in at 5,31GB
Send me a PM and I will give you a download link.
Click to expand...

Hi, i am having the same issue with cannot start disk. Can you send me a link for the OS
 
I have a Macbook Pro 2011 that I'm trying to sell, but when I tried to erase everything in there and then reinstall mac os X, I got the same error. If I purchase the OS X Lion(10.7), are they going to send me a usb with the package or how's it going to work?
1602235008315.png
 
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