Internet recovery -enable ethernet?

[macstatic]

When doing an OSX Internet recovery (ALT-CMD-R while booting up) is there a way to make it work with a wired (Ethernet) connection and not just WiFi?

I have a fast wired connection, but Internet recovery automatically connects to a (slow) public WiFi connection in my area and there seems to be no other option than to choose different WiFi networks or turn it off altogether.

 

[Weaselboy]

The last network you used for this will be remembered in NVRAM and will auto connect next time. Try doing a NVRAM reset following this, then try again. That should stop it from auto selecting the open wifi and allow you to use your ethernet connection.

 

[macstatic]

What do you mean by "the last network you used for this"?
The last network connection I ever used on the computer before attempting an Internet recovery?

 

[Weaselboy]

What do you mean by "the last network you used for this"?
The last network connection I ever used on the computer before attempting an Internet recovery?

No, I mean the last network you joined when in Internet recovery. That is remembered in the NVRAM settings. If you reset NVRAM it will remove that and should stop it from rejoining that one next time and allow you to select what you want.

 

[macstatic]

Yes, but that would be the previous WiFi network as there's no option (that I could find anyway) for selecting a wired Internet connection.

I did however find another way: Upon booting with CMD-ALT-R (Internet recovery mode) I was first asked for the installation language, and following that I got the "OSX utilities" screen ("Restore from Time Machine backup", "Reinstall OS X" etc.). Here the Airport menu icon is present (top right hand corner of the screen) and I'm able to turn off WiFi.
Following this I went ahead with "Reinstall OS X" and this time it downloaded the OSX installer from my cabled connection (I tried to remove the cable in the midst of installing and it complained about the interruption).

So the trick is obviously to disable WiFi before attempting to install OSX so Internet recovery will be forced to search for an alternate Internet connection.