Help: Upgrading from 10.5.8 to 10.11

[Adam-]

Hello,

I have an old MacBook pro (late 2008) which is running 10.5 so its missing the App Store. I am currently taking it out of retirement by adding RAM and SSD to give it a little life and am planning to do a clean install. However I can't seem to find an 10.11 OS anywhere other than the app store? I thought I could somehow get it off my iMac which is running 10.12 but you can't download an older version of OS. I keep seeing posts where people have to buy 10.6 and then update but is that really necessary from a clean install?

Any help or advice would be awesome

 

[redheeler]

The official Apple method is to purchase a Snow Leopard install DVD, update to 10.6.8, then download + install El Capitan as a free update from Snow Leopard. The only other way to do this would be to obtain an installer from an unauthorized source, or Mac running Snow Leopard-El Capitan that isn't supported by Sierra, and create a bootable USB stick with it.

 

[Adam-]

thats what i feared, its abit annoying having to buy some software that is 6 versions out of date
[doublepost=1481053084][/doublepost]I've just thought, my CD drive is busted on this mac, I do have a USB one from my iMac, would that work while fresh installing?

 

[redheeler]

I've just thought, my CD drive is busted on this mac, I do have a USB one from my iMac, would that work while fresh installing?

It should, yes. All Intel Macs can boot from USB.

 

[elf69]

I have a late 2006 macbook pro 17" and used my imac (2007) to reinstall 10.11 via target mode firewire.

can you do this?

Can get el capitan DMG from reputable sites, I used one in past but obviously apple is better.

 

[jbarley]

Still looking for a solution, check your Personal messages.

 

[Adam-]

I'll order up a snow leopard then and do it that way, the question is: should I bother sticking in 8GB ram and an SSD to give it some life? Or should I use the cash (£200) to put towards a new mac? I absolutely do not need a power house

 

[elf69]

I am thinking same thing with my macbook pro Adam

On ebay a 2010 a1342 macbook with 2.4GHz CPU is only just shy of £200 and they are awesome and will run sierra.

I had 8GB ram and 240GB SSD in mine and it was amazing for the age.

But not a pro so no firewire and so forth.

I will buy another white 2009/2010 in new year as they are simply awesome for the age and money.
plus the 2010 model support 16GB ram!

I currently run a 2007 macbook pro 17" with el capitan.
Cannot upgrade to sierra in this model, but 10.11.6 is fine and I use it for work.