install MacOS on older MacBook Pro

[tony359]

Hello all,

I've rescued an old MacBookPro from the bin - Core 2 Duo, 2.4Ghz. I fixed it and now I'd like to do a fresh install of the OS. I understand this laptop can install El Capitan, 10.11. It was running 10.9.

Naively, I ran the recovery, erased the drive and started the OS installation - it says it's Mavericks, I thought it could be a good starting point. It's now asking for my Apple ID and then says the item is not available. I understand this is because I am not the same person who installed that OS?

How am I supposed to install a new copy of the OS if I am not the original owner of the machine? I have been downloading and burning USB sticks and searching the web all day and I've still have to find the solution! Can someone give some hints on how MacOS works on that machine?

Both the recovery on the HDD and the El Capitain installer I made say that there is an error after the installation starts - shortly after saying that the system would check with Apple if my system is eligible.

Thanks a lot!

 

[tony359]

Right, let me see if I understand correctly.

1. OS upgrades have to be authorised by the App Store as OS’ are ‘sold’. So I cannot just jump to a newer version on an empty drive as Apple servers won’t authorise the install. This is why the installation asks for my Apple ID and then says ‘no’ ?
2. As I have wiped my drive, my only option is to reinstall the OS that came with the system. Even the OS that was previously installed ‘belongs’ to a different user so I won’t be able to reinstall it straight away. Once the original OS is installed, I can do regular upgrades.
3. There are ‘upgrade’ And ‘install’ versions of the OS so I need to find an install one.
4. My MacBook pro doesn’t feature internet recovery as it’s too old - I’ve read of a firmware upgrade, is that a possibility?

Did I do my homework correctly?

Thanks for your support!

 

[velocityg4]

How are you making the El Capitan installer. Are you downloading the DMG from Apple's servers and using Diskmaker X?

How to download macOS

Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system.

support.apple.com

Downloads

diskmakerx.com

When you boot with El Capitan installer. Are you then fully wiping the hard drive in Disk Utility not just the partition? Like switch the drive to MBR then back to GUID to clear the partition table.

Have you tried a PRAM and SMC reset?

Also what is the exact message when it is trying to contact Apple's servers?

Are you holding the option key at boot and selecting the El Capitan install USB to boot off of?

 

[Fishrrman]

I'll try to help, but you may need to answer a few questions first.

I have almost the same MPB -- 2010 13".
Mine still runs 10.6.8 fine, but I have the internal drive partitioned and it also runs fine using "Low Sierra" 10.12.

The most important question:
Do you have access to ANOTHER Mac?

If that is "yes", WHAT VERSION OF THE OS is the other Mac running?

What I'd suggest:
You'll need another Mac, of course.

1. Download the Low Sierra installer from here:

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-39476-20191023-48f365f4-0015-4c41-9f44-39d3d2aca067/InstallOS.dmg

(normally, this appears in your applications folder after the download is finished)

2. Download the free utility called "diskmaker x" from here:

Downloads

diskmakerx.com

IMPORTANT -- MAKE SURE you download the correct version for "MacOS Sierra" (scroll down to see it)

3. Get a USB3 flashdrive, 16gb in size (or larger)

4. Use Diskmaker to create the bootable flashdrive -- takes only a few clicks of the mouse

5. When done, boot the MBP from the flashdrive (hold down the OPTION key CONTINUOUSLY at boot until startup manager appears, then select flash drive and hit return.

6. When you get to the OS installer, DO NOT RUN IT YET. Quit it and open Disk Utility instead.

7. ERASE the internal drive to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

8. When the erase is complete, close Disk Utility and re-open the installer.

9. Install a copy of the OS onto the internal drive. Be aware that the Mac may reboot one or more times, and the whole process may take a while. Be patient.

10. When done, you should see the initial setup screen "Choose your language". Begin "clicking through".

11. At this point all you need to do is create your account. I wouldn't be worrying about iCloud, email, etc. yet.

Good luck.

 

[tony359]

Hi both,

Thanks! I'll try to answer all your questions.

VelocityG4
1. Yes I downloaded that file. I could not use Diskmaker X as 1) the MCB I am trying to install was wiped so I cannot use it to run the app. 2) I have an old Xeon Mac Pro that I can use BUT DiskMaker X says the DMG file I downloaded is not the correct one. I understand you need to "install" the DMG and point DiskMaker to the .app file instead. BUT, my old Xeon is not eligible for El Capitan so I am unable to do so.
2. So I used TransMac for Windows instead. I followed the instructions but it does not boot from the USB stick I created.
3. I then downloaded another DMG from a website claiming it would work. It would boot up and start as El Capitain but when it says it needs to check with Apple to check whether my system is eligible it says that there was an error and to try again.
4. Before I wiped the system I tried to reinstall the same OS (10.9) via Recovery. It would then ask me to log in using my Apple ID and it would quit saying "this item is temporarily not available" which I understand it's Apple wording for "you never logged into this MCB before and you never purchased this OS with your Apple ID so goodbye".
5. I fully wiped the drive. To be sure, as the recovery partition is not shown there, I removed the drive and wiped it using DiskPart on Windows (I know Windows better than Mac). The system displayed a folder with a question mark on it when I re-started. When I tried El Capitain again, it installed the recovery partition again and prompted me to install El Capitain with the aforementioned result.
6. I did reset the SMC but that was earlier in the day as the Battery was not seen (it worked). I could try again.
7. Yes, I am holding OPTION at boot and I can boot from my USB drive.

Fishrrman
1. Yes. 10.7 (Dual Xeon Macpro). As mentioned above, I am unable to open the El Capitain installer to create the bootable drive as the system is not eligible.
2. I believe I did download the correct version of DiskMaker X for El Capitain (I don't think my MBP is eligible for Sierra, only ElCap) but as said before it says the DMG file I downloaded from Apple cannot be used.
3. I have wiped and erased my HDD so many times I have lost count. That's why I removed it and put it on my windows PC to make sure all partitions were removed: I thought some old data was preventing me from reinstalling.

Let me ask you a question: are you suggesting that I should be able to install the latest eligible OS on my MBP even though the HDD is fully wiped and I never logged into that MBP before?

THANKS a lot for your help!

 

[Fishrrman]

The sailors know... "any port in a storm".

If you're having trouble trying to install various versions of the OS, the solution is simply:
Get a version of the OS on it that will boot and run.
ANY version will do, so long as it boots and runs.

Then... go on from there.

 

[tony359]

So you’re saying that what I read about Apple ID and an OS needs to be authorised to be installed (that is upgraded or previously installed or installed via an Apple ID that has ‘purchased’ the OS) is nonsense?

 

[tony359]

Update.
I found a dmg of 10.11 which DiskMaker X liked.
But it failed just after starting saying it was corrupted. After a while I realised that that is a certificate error and that to fix I needed to change the Mac date back to 2015 before installing.

I did and the installation completed correctly! What a pain!

That said now I’d like to try again with an Apple-sourced package as this came from a random source and who knows what’s in it ?

 

[tsialex]

Update.
I found a dmg of 10.11 which DiskMaker X liked.
But it failed just after starting saying it was corrupted. After a while I realised that that is a certificate error and that to fix I needed to change the Mac date back to 2015 before installing.

I did and the installation completed correctly! What a pain!

That said now I’d like to try again with an Apple-sourced package as this came from a random source and who knows what’s in it ?

There are several ways to do a clean install of El Capitan, but the simpler one needs that you have bought it back in the day and have it on your Mac App Store Past Purchases list.

One way to overcome, is to install to a hard drive connected via USB, then move the drive to the Mac later. Download the El Capitan free installer from Apple, this one don't require that you have it previously on your Mac App Store Past Purchases list and use it to install to your external drive, you just change to the disk where you want to install for an empty disk formatted as HFS+/GUID.

After El Capitan is installed, you move the disk to your MacBook.

Another way is to create an El Capitan Recovery in a USB-key and boot from that.

 

[tony359]

Hi tsialex

Thanks. I tried that link before but I could not burn it to a USB stick. Also, I believe you are assuming I have another mac that can run El Capitan - I don't, my older macpro can only run 10.7. Hence when I execute El Capitan on it it told me "nope" Honestly, I am into computers and I spent 2 full days trying to reinstall this thing. I didn't steal it!! The path they lay down for you is full of potholes

I have finally managed to set up El Capitan on the laptop, registered with my Apple ID and also found the El Capitan App Store page (which is VERY well hidden) - I've "purchased" El Capitan" from it so hopefully now Apple servers are happier. I want to try reinstalling it using this more official version - I will treasure the USB stick that I made earlier on that worked though!

I am a Windows guy - can I say that I had never considered the fact that with an Apple after a number of years you are left with a brick - you cannot update the OS anymore, apps will slowly become unsupported and your only choice to have a safe system is to move to a different OS. I'm not sure I like this behaviour...

 

[tsialex]

Hi tsialex

Thanks. I tried that link before but I could not burn it to a USB stick. Also, I believe you are assuming I have another mac that can run El Capitan - I don't, my older macpro can only run 10.7. Hence when I execute El Capitan on it it told me "nope" Honestly, I am into computers and I spent 2 full days trying to reinstall this thing. I didn't steal it!! The path they lay down for you is full of potholes

I have finally managed to set up El Capitan on the laptop, registered with my Apple ID and also found the El Capitan App Store page (which is VERY well hidden) - I've "purchased" El Capitan" from it so hopefully now Apple servers are happier. I want to try reinstalling it using this more official version - I will treasure the USB stick that I made earlier on that worked though!

I am a Windows guy - can I say that I had never considered the fact that with an Apple after a number of years you are left with a brick - you cannot update the OS anymore, apps will slowly become unsupported and your only choice to have a safe system is to move to a different OS. I'm not sure I like this behaviour...

The current Apple Support free El Capitan installer can't be used to create a createinstallmedia USB-key, only the Mac App Store version, the current Apple support free versions are a little different from the Mac App Store versions released back in the day. You can't "buy" the Mac App Store version anymore, since Apple removes the option as soon as the new version of macOS is released - you can only "buy" the current version.

If you do as I described, you can use it to install to an external disk, then booting from the external disk, you do the same process in reverse and you will have a fully functional El Capitan install in your MacBook.

Apple is not leaving anyone with a brick, it's just with unsupported Macs you have to overcome old installers that don't work anymore because certificates expire, old 3rd party tools that can't create installers from current ones and etc. In the end you just need to overcome every pitfall. For people arriving now, all this seems very complex, but it's just another day for the oldies.

You are correct about current macOS support, Macs usually have software support for new macOS releases for around 8 years since the initial release date, some a little more, others a little less. Apple does this clearly, every macOS release has a list of supported Macs, differently from Windows were some drivers, usually graphic drivers, are then unsupported and you can't use your hardware anymore.

 

[tony359]

The current Apple Support free El Capitan installer can't be used to create a createinstallmedia USB-key, only the Mac App Store version, the current Apple support free versions are a little different from the Mac App Store versions released back in the day. You can't "buy" the Mac App Store version anymore, since Apple removes the option as soon as the new version of macOS is released - you can only "buy" the current version.

Thanks you for your help. However, this morning I was able to "buy" El Capitan from the app store - took me a while to find the link but it took me to the app store where I could "download" the install file. It downloaded ok on my laptop and I'm trying to create a bootable disk right now - do you think it's not going to work?



If that does not work, would you be able to point me to a reliable and safe link to download the installer?

I can try what you suggest but every time I tried double-clicking on the El Capitan install.dmg file on my old macpro (10.7) it would immediately say that my system does not qualify to run El Capitan and just quit.

---

Brick subject: just for conversation sake, I don't want this to get OT and to become a Mac vs PC battle. With Windows 10 I can download the installer from Microsoft and just install it on a 12y old machine with no issues. If the machine came with a genuine copy of Windows 7, it's also (still) free to do. I did that on a intel 2 Duo just the other day.

On my 2008 MBP I hit all sorts of stops as you mentioned and I end up with an unsupported system with unsupported apps - just to make an example, I can run the latest Chrome browser on my 2008 W10 PC, I cannot run the latest Chrome browser on my 2008 MBP.

To be fair with Apple, Microsoft copied everything from Apple: back in the Windows XP/Vista days it was not so straightforward...

Cheers for your help on this, appreciated!

 

[tsialex]

Thanks you for your help. However, this morning I was able to "buy" El Capitan from the app store - took me a while to find the link but it took me to the app store where I could "download" the install file. It downloaded ok on my laptop and I'm trying to create a bootable disk right now - do you think it's not going to work?

If that does not work, would you be able to point me to a reliable and safe link to download the installer?

I can try what you suggest but every time I tried double-clicking on the El Capitan install.dmg file on my old macpro (10.7) it would immediately say that my system does not qualify to run El Capitan and just quit.

---

Brick subject: just for conversation sake, I don't want this to get OT and to become a Mac vs PC battle. With Windows 10 I can download the installer from Microsoft and just install it on a 12y old machine with no issues. If the machine came with a genuine copy of Windows 7, it's also (still) free to do. I did that on a intel 2 Duo just the other day.

On my 2008 MBP I hit all sorts of stops as you mentioned and I end up with an unsupported system with unsupported apps - just to make an example, I can run the latest Chrome browser on my 2008 W10 PC, I cannot run the latest Chrome browser on my 2008 MBP.

To be fair with Apple, Microsoft copied everything from Apple: back in the Windows XP/Vista days it was not so straightforward...

Cheers for your help on this, appreciated!

If you didn't acquire the Mac App Store El Capitan installer back in the day, you can't get it today, just the Apple support one.

The Apple support one and the MAS version are different, even if both are downloaded from the same MAS servers. The email Apple sent to you is for the Apple Support one, the MAS original version has other ID.

2006 and 2007 Mac Pros officially run up to 10.7.

The current Apple Support installer for El Capitan can’t be used to create a createinstallmedia USB installer, you can only use it from macOS to another disk, that’s why I explained the process using an external disk before.

 

[tony359]

The current Apple Support installer for El Capitan can’t be used to create a createinstallmedia USB installer, you can only use it from macOS to another disk, that’s why I explained the process using an external disk before.

Ok. They don't make things easy to be honest. Again, I didn't steal that MBP

So as I cannot run El Capitan on my other Mac Pro, my only choice is the "dodgy" link I found online which worked fine? There is no other option from Apple besides owning/purchasing original DVDs and then upgrade?

(Mine is 2008 MBP which can run 10.11)

 

[tsialex]

Ok. They don't make things easy to be honest. Again, I didn't steal that MBP

So as I cannot run El Capitan on my other Mac Pro, my only choice is the "dodgy" link I found online which worked fine? There is no other option from Apple besides owning/purchasing original DVDs and then upgrade?

(Mine is 2008 MBP which can run 10.11)

El Capitan was never released with DVDs. Last macOS version on DVD was 10.6.

Copy the Apple Support installer to your 2008 MBP and install to an USB drive, then boot from it, move the installer to the USB drive, erase your internal drive, reformat and then you run the installer pointing it to the internal disk.

Your 2008 MacBook Pro probably came with 10.5.2, and back in the day it had a pair of DVDs to restore it.

After 2009, all MacBooks can install directly from the internet with Internet Recovery. All 2010 on wards Macs can do it, except 2009/2010/2012 Mac Pro.

 

[tony359]

Copy the Apple Support installer to your 2008 MBP and install to an USB drive

I feel the above is where we are not on the same frequency: my 2008 MBP was wiped. No OS. I could not do what you say. My MacPro running 10.7 would refuse to run El Capitan at all - even to install it on a different HDD.

Am I understanding your instructions correctly?

Indeed the Internet recovery is a much easier process.

 

[tsialex]

I feel the above is where we are not on the same frequency: my 2008 MBP was wiped. No OS. I could not do what you say. My MacPro running 10.7 would refuse to run El Capitan at all - even to install it on a different HDD.

Am I understanding your instructions correctly?

Indeed the Internet recovery is a much easier process.

Can you put your MacBook Pro disk, or your external USB drive, in your Mac Pro and install 10.6/10.7 to it? After that you can boot your MacBook Pro and do everything there.

 

[tony359]

That's a possibility indeed.

Allow me to say that I'm puzzled that this is the only solution if you lost your original install DVDs! AND, you need access to another mac. Basically you're saying - and I am not questioning that - that if you are a "normal" user with no access to another mac and you don't have internet recovery...

 

[tsialex]

That's a possibility indeed.

Allow me to say that I'm puzzled that this is the only solution if you lost your original install DVDs! AND, you need access to another mac. Basically you're saying - and I am not questioning that - that if you are a "normal" user with no access to another mac and you don't have internet recovery...

For Macs that old that were wiped and you don't have access to the Restore DVDs, yes, you have to have access to another Mac to download the installer and create a createinstallmedia USB installer from the MAS installer.

Since you are a new user and didn't acquire the MAS El Capitan installer at the time, you have to workaround with an external USB drive and the Apple Support El Capitan installer.

 

[iluvmacs99]

Hello all,

I've rescued an old MacBookPro from the bin - Core 2 Duo, 2.4Ghz. I fixed it and now I'd like to do a fresh install of the OS. I understand this laptop can install El Capitan, 10.11. It was running 10.9.

Naively, I ran the recovery, erased the drive and started the OS installation - it says it's Mavericks, I thought it could be a good starting point. It's now asking for my Apple ID and then says the item is not available. I understand this is because I am not the same person who installed that OS?

How am I supposed to install a new copy of the OS if I am not the original owner of the machine? I have been downloading and burning USB sticks and searching the web all day and I've still have to find the solution! Can someone give some hints on how MacOS works on that machine?

Both the recovery on the HDD and the El Capitain installer I made say that there is an error after the installation starts - shortly after saying that the system would check with Apple if my system is eligible.

Thanks a lot!

I work in a computer recycling facility where I encountered a number of these instances where an Apple product is locked to an Apple ID and you can't easily install anything further without having this ID. The Internet Recovery is a good sign. If it refuses, then there is some sort of Apple lock. This is more common with Apple iPhones and iPads whereby former owners had wiped the devices but forgot to de-authorize their iCloud or Apple ID accounts and left with devices that you can't do much with it unfortunately unless we go to the hardware level. It is not that common with Macs, but it does happen.

In your case, you need to go to the hardware level by cloning your Mac Pro OS install with your credentials onto the Macbook. You need a firewire cable and I think your Macbook has firewire 400. Connect this cable between the Macbook and your Mac Pro. Start your Macbook while pressing the "T" key. This will put your Macbook into Firewire Target Disk mode. It will appear on your Mac Pro as a firewire drive. Use Disk Utility to format this drive and then on your Mac Pro download Carbon Copy Cloner, which has a 30 days free trial. Simply run the software on your Mac Pro and clone your Mac Pro onto the Macbook. Once you finished cloning, shutdown the Macbook. Upon your next restart, your Macbook will boot with your Mac Pro OS, as though you are running your Mac Pro on your Macbook. Then use the install disk of the newer OSX to upgrade your Macbook OS further using your own Apple ID credentials -- El-Capitan would be as far as I would recommend. It won't be a clean install as even with a clean install, it can ask for the last owner's ID for authentication.

I have done many of these recoveries myself for these laptops to be resold or used as hardware grants for the poor families.

Hope this helps.

 

[tsialex]

I work in a computer recycling facility where I encountered a number of these instances where an Apple product is locked to an Apple ID and you can't easily install anything further without having this ID. The Internet Recovery is a good sign. If it refuses, then there is some sort of Apple lock. This is more common with Apple iPhones and iPads whereby former owners had wiped the devices but forgot to de-authorize their iCloud or Apple ID accounts and left with devices that you can't do much with it unfortunately unless we go to the hardware level. It is not that common with Macs, but it does happen.

In your case, you need to go to the hardware level by cloning your Mac Pro OS install with your credentials onto the Macbook. You need a firewire cable and I think your Macbook has firewire 400. Connect this cable between the Macbook and your Mac Pro. Start your Macbook while pressing the "T" key. This will put your Macbook into Firewire Target Disk mode. It will appear on your Mac Pro as a firewire drive. Use Disk Utility to format this drive and then on your Mac Pro download Carbon Copy Cloner, which has a 30 days free trial. Simply run the software on your Mac Pro and clone your Mac Pro onto the Macbook. Once you finished cloning, shutdown the Macbook. Upon your next restart, your Macbook will boot with your Mac Pro OS, as though you are running your Mac Pro on your Macbook. Then use the install disk of the newer OSX to upgrade your Macbook OS further using your own Apple ID credentials -- El-Capitan would be as far as I would recommend. It won't be a clean install as even with a clean install, it can ask for the last owner's ID for authentication.

I have done many of these recoveries myself for these laptops to be resold or used as hardware grants for the poor families.

Hope this helps.

A 2008 MacBook Pro is pre-MAS/pre-InternetRecovery, so no MAS lock on the installer. This only happens with Macs that have Internet Recovery.

 

[tony359]

iluvmacs99,

Thanks for your input. I am not sure I like Apple's behaviour you are describing but hey, who am I to argue with them.
Thanks for the hint, good to know if I ever decided to purchase a second hand mac!!

I have now managed - using an ISO found somewhere - to install El Capitan and I have logged in using my Apple ID so I should be good to go now?

One question stands: if I wanted to sell the MBP and make the next owner's life easier, how do I tell Apple that that MBP is now open for a new owner?

Also kudos to you for working on those machines so that others can still enjoy them!

tsialex
What is MAS? Google didn't help!

 

[tsialex]

iluvmacs99,

Thanks for your input. I am not sure I like Apple's behaviour you are describing but hey, who am I to argue with them.
Thanks for the hint, good to know if I ever decided to purchase a second hand mac!!

I have now managed - using an ISO found somewhere - to install El Capitan and I have logged in using my Apple ID so I should be good to go now?

One question stands: if I wanted to sell the MBP and make the next owner's life easier, how do I tell Apple that that MBP is now open for a new owner?

Also kudos to you for working on those machines so that others can still enjoy them!

tsialex
What is MAS? Google didn't help!

2008 MacBooks Pro don't have iCloud Lock or remote MDM. You just have to wipe it and reinstall. Would be a nice touch to send a createinstallmedia USB installer, but you don't have access to it.

MAS = Mac App Store.

You still don't have an install that you can trust.

 

[iluvmacs99]

A 2008 MacBook Pro is pre-MAS/pre-InternetRecovery, so no MAS lock on the installer. This only happens with Macs that have Internet Recovery.

I agree with you on that, except until we came into receivership of a few Macbook Pros from an institution that had these locked. We tried it, one from a donor and from these and these can't be used with Internet recovery. Another Apple ASP also told me the same thing and taught me this trick -- Firewire and Thunderbolt cable jump start on Macbooks that have thunderbolt. Also, these computers had the engravings of the insitutions' Apple ID on the bottom of the book. Rather nicely done I say.

 

[tsialex]

I agree with you on that, except until we came into receivership of a few Macbook Pros from an institution that had these locked. We tried it, one from a donor and from these and these can't be used with Internet recovery. Another Apple ASP also told me the same thing and taught me this trick -- Firewire and Thunderbolt cable jump start on Macbooks that have thunderbolt. Also, these computers had the engravings of the insitutions' Apple ID on the bottom of the book. Rather nicely done I say.

2010 and newer have iCloud Lock and MAS installer Lock to the user that bought it initially, 2008 and 2009 firmwares don't have it. 2015 and newer can have remote MDM enabled.

Maybe yours had the Firmware Lock enabled. There are several workarounds for older Macs that have firmware password enabled.

With Macs that have remote MDM, you can't do anything. iCloud Lock can be circumvented with Macs that don't have the T2 Security chip.