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How to repurpose an old MBP when I don't have the login

Achiever

Achiever

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 23, 2008
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A family member has an old MBP they are passing along. It is apparently functional, just old, but the family member does not recall their log in information. I would like to repurpose the machine for other family members to use. I do not need to retrieve ANY of the data on the machine, just wipe the drive and start it anew. Suggestions on the best way to accomplish this without being able to log in? TIA.
 
velocityg4 said:
If it isn't firmware locked. Just boot it into internet recovery, wipe the drive and clean install OS X.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904
Click to expand...
So, this worked, but for some reason, it only installed OS X Lion on the machine (it is a 2011 model, as it turns out). Running software update doesn't allow for the option to upgrade OSes, despite the machine being eligible for High Sierra, and the App Store only offers Mojave, which won't work on that machine. Suggestions appreciated.
 
Achiever said:
So, this worked, but for some reason, it only installed OS X Lion on the machine (it is a 2011 model, as it turns out). Running software update doesn't allow for the option to upgrade OSes, despite the machine being eligible for High Sierra, and the App Store only offers Mojave, which won't work on that machine. Suggestions appreciated.
Click to expand...

I've read about this problem before with Lion. Can't recall if it is a glitch or what. Try going to El Capitan or Sierra first. Look at the Step 4 in either link for the App Store link.

El Capitan: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886
Sierra: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202

If you want to make a USB installer for a clean install. Use the appropriate version of Diskmaker X. Note that from Lion the best you can do is El Capitan with Diskmaker X.

http://diskmakerx.com/whats-this/
 
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Achiever said:
So, this worked, but for some reason, it only installed OS X Lion on the machine (it is a 2011 model, as it turns out). Running software update doesn't allow for the option to upgrade OSes, despite the machine being eligible for High Sierra, and the App Store only offers Mojave, which won't work on that machine. Suggestions appreciated.
Click to expand...
Internet Recovery will install the OS that your Mac shipped with, which is Lion for a 2011.
To upgrade to macOS High Sierra it requires OS X Mountain Lion or later. Use one of the links provided by @velocityg4 to get a newer OS to allow installing High Sierra
Here is High Sierra (see Step 4 for the link to High Sierra):

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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