Mavericks re-install query...

[cactus jumper]

I have a Late 2012 2.5ghz i5 Mac mini running Mavericks 10.9.5.

It was full of rubbish/old files and software etc. so I decided to wipe it and do a fresh/clean install (via my wireless connection), following the steps as shown below:

All worked fine and the new install started but showed it would take 40+ hours to 'download components' after which it would restart and finish the Mavericks install. I quit the installation - to try again/resume when more convenient - and shut down the mini.

When turning the mini on today, on start up I see a pale grey screen with a folder icon with a question mark: no surprise as obviously there is no OS on the machine.

How do I get the OS back on the mini?

 

[maflynn]

Did you try to boot back into the recovery partition?

Sounds like the install failed and or the computer crashed.

 

[cactus jumper]

The install didn't fail and the mini didn't crash - I cancelled the install as it was going to take 40+ hours. Before I cancelled, there was a message saying I could resume late - but presumably only if the mini was left turned on - stupidly(!) I turned it off.


''Did you try to boot back into the recovery partition?''

There is nothing/no OS on the mini at present...

 

[Weaselboy]

The install didn't fail and the mini didn't crash - I cancelled the install as it was going to take 40+ hours. Before I cancelled, there was a message saying I could resume late - but presumably only if the mini was left turned on - stupidly(!) I turned it off.


''Did you try to boot back into the recovery partition?''

There is nothing/no OS on the mini at present...

Just command-option-r boot again and repeat the process of erasing the entire disk and then the download/install. That will wipe the partial install you did and get you a fresh start.