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Imac 7.1 no OS
- Thread starter Boatdude
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I do not know what to do next
I'm in new orleans Louisiana. I really wish someone could call me and walk me through this
BINGO. You've confirmed my suspicions. It currently has a later version installed so we must clear it out and start fresh.
See your hard drive list says "D1" and "Untitled 2"? The Untitled is likely the one you just reformatted. D1 likely still has the old OS on it.
We need to clear the ENTIRE drive. So repeat the steps for formatting (you likely did so successfully, which created the Untitle 2 partition) but this time be sure to select the whole drive.
Do this by selecting the part that says 298.1 GB WD in the list. Then, proceed to format it. Then, try the installation.
See your hard drive list says "D1" and "Untitled 2"? The Untitled is likely the one you just reformatted. D1 likely still has the old OS on it.
We need to clear the ENTIRE drive. So repeat the steps for formatting (you likely did so successfully, which created the Untitle 2 partition) but this time be sure to select the whole drive.
Do this by selecting the part that says 298.1 GB WD in the list. Then, proceed to format it. Then, try the installation.
I made the 2 partitions by erasing the ones before. I will erase the whole drive. Zero out data 7 pass or 35 pass?
And this is what happens
Attachments
OK. I guess it's best to give up on that disk now. Those can be touchy due to how they check hardware before proceeding.
If you can make a Lion install DVD, give it a try. USB seems to be problematic, formatting as well, so the DVD, which has been proven to work, can bypass a lot of frustration.
support.apple.com
Look online for the steps to create this DVD. I don't know what software on Windows burns images to DVD's but it must be an image and not just a data disc. Let us know if you need more clarification about the difference between images and data discs if you run into any roadblocks. I know it sounds like I'm bailing here but it is late and there is so much that is available on Google to help with your specific situation. I hope I'm pointing you in the right direction.
If you can make a Lion install DVD, give it a try. USB seems to be problematic, formatting as well, so the DVD, which has been proven to work, can bypass a lot of frustration.
Mac OS X Lion Installer - Apple Support
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion is available for older systems that are not compatible with the latest version of macOS
Look online for the steps to create this DVD. I don't know what software on Windows burns images to DVD's but it must be an image and not just a data disc. Let us know if you need more clarification about the difference between images and data discs if you run into any roadblocks. I know it sounds like I'm bailing here but it is late and there is so much that is available on Google to help with your specific situation. I hope I'm pointing you in the right direction.
Come to think of it, that might be why the installer won't proceed... @Boatdude can you share a photo of the DVD that you're using? It would clear up this speculation instantly.
Also, it's up to you but sharing your phone number openly like that within the thread where anyone and any data-mining program can grab it might not be a good idea.
Just curious as to why you recommend Lion: are you thinking that first they install it and once it's set up, from there download and install El Capitan directly onto the Mac so that they don't have to faff around with attempting to create an installer on the PC etc?
That could work but they'll still need to remember to change the clock to an earlier date in Terminal to bypass the expired certificate issue with El Capitan.
Just a few reasons.
1. I got out of Apple repair and service around 2011-2012 so many things after that period are vague and unclear to me.
2. It’s available straight from Apple’s site so no rooting around with the App Store and authentication etc.
3. I specifically remember Lion having a method for DVD install. I can’t recall any later OS having this option.
4. Even the oldest version of Lion will have the App Store which will allow easy downloading of a later OS.
I think even Lion has to be date-spoofed to proceed but why would Apple still provide a download link if true? IDK. Speculating. Spoofing is easy anyway.
What are the odds the OP’s Mac is set to Unix epoch due to dead PRAM battery and Leopard doesn’t install in the 1970’s?
1. I got out of Apple repair and service around 2011-2012 so many things after that period are vague and unclear to me.
2. It’s available straight from Apple’s site so no rooting around with the App Store and authentication etc.
3. I specifically remember Lion having a method for DVD install. I can’t recall any later OS having this option.
4. Even the oldest version of Lion will have the App Store which will allow easy downloading of a later OS.
I think even Lion has to be date-spoofed to proceed but why would Apple still provide a download link if true? IDK. Speculating. Spoofing is easy anyway.
What are the odds the OP’s Mac is set to Unix epoch due to dead PRAM battery and Leopard doesn’t install in the 1970’s?
I downloaded Mavericks and Yosemite recently without having to contend with the hassle of the App Store.
DosDude has very kindly made 10.5 to 10.10 available here.
Those were the lines that I was thinking along also.
They still provide access to Mavericks and others - providing that they were already in your download history.
However, I don't think that Lion requires the spoofing: Apple made it available to me via Internet Recovery on my 2010 MBA instead of the default Snow Leopard.
Wouldn't they receive an error message similar to this?
I strongly suspect that their Leopard DVD is for a different machine. Again, if @Boatdude can share a photo of the disc then this can be clarified very quickly.