Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

satan2.0

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 8, 2019
4
1
Today I got this macbook pro mid 2009 13" (used)

It has been formatted. And I thought installing OS X would be simple. (I have never used MAC/MACBOOK before)

I tried isntalling the OS X... But I always get the "This item not currently available" or something like that notification from Apple store.

I read info on why this would happen. The solution involved being able to use command alt R (when macbook is turning on/ when its on).

However, nothing happens when I press these buttons down. Theres 2 pairs of these buttons, tried both.

I have no idea what to do to be able to reinstall this OS.

The problems may be due to: wrong date/ because OS was first installed using different icloud aco. I can't access any settings to change date.

Any idea what can I do?
 
Your 2009 MBPro is too old for the internet recovery (Option-Command-R). That can't work for you, unfortunately. The feature is only available from mid 2010 and newer.
And, if the hard drive is formatted/erased, then you don't have a recovery partition either.
The only method is to boot to an installer, which could be on a DVD (if your optical drive works), or a USB bootable installer. Those are easy to make, but you need the installer app for the system version that you want, and you need a Mac that will boot, to give you a means to make the USB installer.

Just so you know - the latest version of OS X that you can install is El Capitan (OS X 10.11.6).
You can download the installer through this page.
And, the instructions that Apple provides for making an installer USB from that installer app is here.

Or, if you have the installer app downloaded, you can use the good app DiskMakerX, which makes the installer pretty simple. https://diskmakerx.com/whats-this/

(Your local Apple store might be able to help you with some of this, if you don't have another Mac, and also don't know anyone with a Mac. )
 
  • Like
Reactions: Super Spartan1
Your 2009 MBPro is too old for the internet recovery (Option-Command-R). That can't work for you, unfortunately. The feature is only available from mid 2010 and newer.
And, if the hard drive is formatted/erased, then you don't have a recovery partition either.
The only method is to boot to an installer, which could be on a DVD (if your optical drive works), or a USB bootable installer. Those are easy to make, but you need the installer app for the system version that you want, and you need a Mac that will boot, to give you a means to make the USB installer.

Just so you know - the latest version of OS X that you can install is El Capitan (OS X 10.11.6).
You can download the installer through this page.
And, the instructions that Apple provides for making an installer USB from that installer app is here.

Or, if you have the installer app downloaded, you can use the good app DiskMakerX, which makes the installer pretty simple. https://diskmakerx.com/whats-this/

(Your local Apple store might be able to help you with some of this, if you don't have another Mac, and also don't know anyone with a Mac. )


Hi,

Thx alot for a quick reply,
I will proceed to do as adviced.
If I don't return here with more stupid questions, that means I got it working.
thx mate

yours,
satan
 
  • Like
Reactions: Howard2k
OP:

Do you have a "working Mac", other than the MBP that you can use?
Do you have an idea of WHICH version of the OS you'd like to install?

For a 2009, I'd suggest trying El Capitan (10.11).
You can download that here:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

Then, you can download the correct version of DiskMaker X from here:

Then, get a 16gb USB flash drive (you can try 8gb), erase it to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

Then, use DiskMaker X to create a bootable USB flash drive installer.

Then, use that to boot the MBP and install a copy of the OS onto it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: reklam
Help me please!
All day I try to install El Captain, but after 13 minutes, the blue bar is complete, and on top, it says: 'Preparing to install. Your computer will restart automatically.'. Below the blue bar, it says 'About a second remaining'.
And nothing.
I created USB with terminal, after Install Disk Creator
Did NVram reset, SMC reset, but nothing, nothing nothing.
Setup wifi to get internet while installing, not working.
El Capitan 10.11.06 OS
I had 10.11.04 which I can install, but I downloaded 10.11.06 /after install I do not have to wait update.../
I lost 10.11.04 and 10.11.06 do not want to install.
This problem is only with 10.11.06. 2099 MBP so Ican not install newer, and I do not want to install older.
I want only clean install.
How can I install El Capitan?
 
How long did you wait for the "About a second remaining"?
I would just find something else to do. Give it an hour or more to continue.

If it STILL does nothing else, consider replacing the drive.

It's a 2009, so may have the original hard drive, and that might just be starting to fail. The system reinstall can be hard on an older drive.
So, if that is true, you should think about replacing the hard drive - with an SSD, which will make all the difference in the world.
 
  • Like
Reactions: reklam
I installed other Mac OS and those was quicker.
I let the machine about half hour on that screen.

What it helps to me:
Deleted the HDD from OS X installer
Turn off the machine
USB out
SMC reset
NVRAM reset
Turn off the machine
Start the machine while push ALT
Plug the USB /os x install/
Start os x install
Start Disk Manager
Delete HDD
Start to install the El Capitan

Only this worked to me. On the "About a second remaining" screen I had to wait about 10-15 minutes, and the system restart itself.
Now the system working. No problem at all :)

Thanks for help :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeltaMac
OP:

Do you have a "working Mac", other than the MBP that you can use?
Do you have an idea of WHICH version of the OS you'd like to install?

For a 2009, I'd suggest trying El Capitan (10.11).
You can download that here:
https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

Then, you can download the correct version of DiskMaker X from here:

Then, get a 16gb USB flash drive (you can try 8gb), erase it to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

Then, use DiskMaker X to create a bootable USB flash drive installer.

Then, use that to boot the MBP and install a copy of the OS onto it.


I don't... I guess I gotta try to use one in an apple store...
I don't think these programs have windows 10 compatible versions
 
Be aware that you can go on ebay and buy USB flashdrives that have a pre-installed copy of the OS installer (of your choice) on them.

They sell for around $20 or so.

But since you don't have any way to boot a 2009 MBP, and since you can't use internet recovery with one, and you don't have access to a working Mac, buying a pre-configured flash drive might be the solution that works.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DeltaMac
Be aware that you can go on ebay and buy USB flashdrives that have a pre-installed copy of the OS installer (of your choice) on them.

They sell for around $20 or so.

But since you don't have any way to boot a 2009 MBP, and since you can't use internet recovery with one, and you don't have access to a working Mac, buying a pre-configured flash drive might be the solution that works.


i guess so...
went to an apple store called tector
they said they can do it for 90 eur
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.