Did I install wrong?

[elf69]

I tried to install sierra again on my 2008 macbook air.

I selected fresh install and it connected to the web and took about 2 hours.
rebooted but still had my settings, etc.

was i supposed to format first?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

What did you expect? An OS update should of course retain all settings and files, anything else would be incredibly stupid.

 

[elf69]

was not an update, at least not that i think.

it was running sierra with all updates.
i booted to recovery and said install fresh osx.

in windows this would overwrite everything and be blank, fresh install.

sorry I am from windows background and learning osx still.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Looking further into this...your 2008 MacBook Air isn't naturally compatible with Sierra, is it?

You would have to use the method laid out in this thread, or something similar, to install Sierra.

 

[elf69]

sorry guys it running el cap NOT sierra.

it natively runs the osx no hacks. really sorry for confusion.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Did you use a method described in this Apple Support page?