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How to fresh install old iMac without Apple ID

Mikebike125

Mikebike125

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 25, 2007
410
65
I have an old 17" white iMac that had 10.7.5 on it. I would like to put a fresh install on it so I can sell it. It keeps on asking for my Apple ID to download OS X Lion. Since I am selling it, I really don't want my Apple ID on it. I have wiped the drive using disc utility and am just trying to get it setup like its brand new.

How can I get OS X Lion without entering my Apple ID?

Please help me Obi One, you're my only hope!
 
Mikebike125 said:
I have an old 17" white iMac that had 10.7.5 on it. I would like to put a fresh install on it so I can sell it. It keeps on asking for my Apple ID to download OS X Lion. Since I am selling it, I really don't want my Apple ID on it. I have wiped the drive using disc utility and am just trying to get it setup like its brand new.

How can I get OS X Lion without entering my Apple ID?

Please help me Obi One, you're my only hope!
Click to expand...
Once you get the operating system installed, there is nothing tying it to your Apple ID as long as you don't go through the full setup process and sign into iCloud.
 
So I would just type in my Apple ID and if I don't set it up then my Apple ID isn't associated with that computer? I just want to make sure my ID doesn't get out of my control when I sell it.
 
Apple_Robert said:
Once you have the OS reinstalled, stop. Do not enter your Apple ID.
Click to expand...
Understood.

To get the OS I need to input my Apple ID, then I install the OS, then I do not set it up or enter my ID again. Sounds like a plan.
 
1. Download a previous version of MacOS e.g. El Capitan OSX 10.11
2. Do not install !!
3. Create a bootable OSX install on 8GB SD USB stick (Google how to it's easy)
4. Boot your Mac from the USB (hold doen the option key at startup)
5. Use the Utility to wipe the disk complete........reboot
6. Reinstall OSX to the welcome point, do not continue, shut mac down and remove USB
7. New owner completes startup with there own info and details

If you Google "OSX clean install" and follow the instruction on MacWorld or even Macrumors it's straightforward :)
 
Since this iMac is older, it can only take OS X Lion. When entering in my Apple ID, it now says "This item is temporarily unavailable"

Why is it saying that?
 
Mikebike125 said:
Since this iMac is older, it can only take OS X Lion. When entering in my Apple ID, it now says "This item is temporarily unavailable"

Why is it saying that?
Click to expand...
Are you using the Apple ID initially used to purchase Lion? If yes, check to see if it is in the purchased section of the App Store. You could also call Apple Support to ask why you can't download the Lion OS that you purchased.

If not the Apple ID used to purchase Lion:
I think the problem is that a 17" iMac that would officially support Lion (10.7.5) was a late 2006 17" iMac. It originally shipped with Tiger (10.4). An upgrade to Lion was not free and had to be purchased from Apple and would be tied to the Apple ID of the user that purchased it.

Lion can still be purchased from Apple for $19.99.

OS X Lion 10.7 - Apple

Apple Store Search Results
www.apple.com

You will receive an email with a content code for the Mac App Store from Apple. Pay special attention to the requirements. It is important to understand that you can probably only download the Lion install app to a Mac capable of installing Lion. Another alternative is to buy a bootable a USB installer from eBay.
 
Last edited:
I have the Snow Leopard discs which I know are older but I am wondering if I can just put those on to get things going and then let the next owner upgrade it.

It is a late 2006 iMac and I don't think I can get more than $100 for it so although $20 isn't much, I just want to get something on it.

Does that sound like a good idea? I think I can just load the disc and restart, pressing the option key to boot up off the disc. Is that right?
 
I would just install Snow Leopard from the original disks and sell it like that. I don't think putting a more recent OS will make any significant difference to the price you will get.

Snow Leopard is often preferred on a vintage Mac like that, as it was one of the most loved / stable releases of Mac OS X.
 
OP wrote:
"I have the Snow Leopard discs which I know are older but I am wondering if I can just put those on to get things going and then let the next owner upgrade it."

THIS may be your answer.
Boot from the Snow Leopard DVD.
ERASE the ENTIRE internal drive.
Re-install a fresh copy of Snow Leopard, but...
DO NOT run the setup routine.

When you see the initial startup screen ("choose your language"), HOLD DOWN the power button continuously until it goes black.

You might reboot it one more time, just to make sure that you "get back" to the setup screen.
If so, use the power button to kill it again.

It now should be ready to sell.

BUT... don't expect much for it.
$40-50, tops.

Perhaps you know someone who would like to try a Mac?
 
Fishrrman said:
When you see the initial startup screen ("choose your language"), HOLD DOWN the power button continuously until it goes black.
Click to expand...
Quitting the setup routine will give a prompt to shut down the computer and will do so gracefully. It’s definitely preferred to do that rather than forcibly shutting down the computer.
 
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"Quitting the setup routine will give a prompt to shut down the computer and will do so gracefully."

I never realized such an option existed.
I reckon that even an old dog can learn a new trick once in a while!
 
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