Installing os issue

[Ace21]

Need help!! My brother gave me his Mac..I’m trying to factory reset it when I type my Apple ID I get an “this item is temporary unavailable” how can I bypass this? My brother can’t remember the Apple ID or password he used when he first got the Mac

 

[SecuritySteve]

Can you install the OS and then set up your Apple ID later?

It might be a connectivity issue.

 

[Ace21]

Can you install the OS and then set up your Apple ID later?

It might be a connectivity issue.

No it won’t let me. Definitely not a connectivity issue since I got it hard wired straight from the cable modem

 

[SecuritySteve]

Are you attempting to restore the iMac via internet recovery or a USB-drive install?

 

[Ace21]

Are you attempting to restore the iMac via internet recovery or a USB-drive install?

Internet

 

[SecuritySteve]

Hm. Do you have access to any of the accounts on the Mac to be able to create a USB install disk? From there you could wipe the drive and install locally without need of an Apple ID to sign in.

 

[Fishrrman]

Why don't you tell us which iMac you have, what year it was made, and what version of the OS you're trying to install...???

 

[Ace21]

Not sure..can’t seem to pass this screen or if I try to reinstall OS X it gives me the temporary unavailable when I type my apple id

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Do you have a Mac of your own?
(not the one that's giving you problems)

If nothing else works for you, be aware that you can go on ebay and buy USB flashdrives that have a copy of the OS installer of your choice "ready to boot and go". Just plug it in and boot from it, then install the OS that way.

These sell in the $20 range.

I would try High Sierra (10.13).