Problem reloading OS on old computer

[BenMc47]

I have an old computer I was trying to prepare to sell / give away. Computer details are below.

In my efforts to erase the computer and reload a clean version of the OS, I have run into errors.

Currently, if I try to boot up just normally, I get a blinking folder with a question mark.

If I boot up while holding down Command-R, then I get the "Spinning globe of hope" (as I have heard it described), it connects to the wi-fi, and then spends several minutes doing something in the background (no status bar) before coming up with an error message, in which we get the same globe with an exclamation point over it and the words "apple.com/support -2002F"

I'm kind of a novice at all this so if anyone has any advice, insights, etc to give I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Ben

Computer Details:

• IMAC 21.5 INCH, LATE 2013

• MacOS Catalina Version 10.15.7

• 3.1 GHz Quad-Core IntelCore i7

• 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

• Startup Disk: Macintosh HZd

• Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 1 GB

• Serial Number C02MD0NZF8J8

• Storage: Flash Storage 251 G B

• Memory 8 GB & 8 GB

 

[Fishrrman]

Does the iMac boot up and run now (before you do anything to it)?

I asked because both of the following procedures will WIPE OUT whatever is on the internal drive.

Here's what I'd suggest you try first:
1. Power down, all the way off
2. Press the power on button and immediately hold down:
Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R
This boots to a SPECIAL VERSION of "internet recovery" (this is NOT THE SAME AS "the recovery partition").
It will attempt to install the version of the OS that the iMac originally shipped with.
3. If you are connecting via wifi, you'll need your wifi password.
4. When you get to the internet utilities, open Disk Utility FIRST.
5. IF there is a "view" menu (there may not be), choose "show all devices".
6. Look at the "list on the left" and select the TOP LINE that should be the PHYSICAL DRIVE inside (SSD, right?)
7. Click on it and click the erase button.
8. Choose "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".
9. Erase the drive, should take only a few seconds.
10. Quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
11. Start clicking through. The iMac may restart one or more times, and the screen may "go black" one or more times and remain that way for a while. BE PATIENT.
12. If the install is successful, you will see the initial startup screen (choose your language).
13. DO NOT PROCEED FURTHER. Just quit the installer. If you can find the quit button, just hold down the power on button until the iMac shuts off.
14. It's now ready for the next owner, who will again see the initial startup screen when they boot it up.

I suggested the above version because this gives the new owner the option of "starting from scratch" and proceeding "up the steps" (regarding OS releases) until he/she reaches where they want to be.

You could also boot to "regular" internet recovery:
Command-OPTION-R (no shift).
This will install the most current version of the OS that will go on that iMac (don't know what it is, it varies by year).
The steps are the same, EXCEPT:
When using disk utility to erase, you MUST first choose "show all devices" from the view menu, or you won't see the internal drive.
and
You need to erase the drive to "APFS, GUID partition format".

Hope this helps.
I suggest that you PRINT OUT this post and save it.

 

[BenMc47]

Thanks for the input. If I attempt to boot up the Mac now without doing anything special, all I get is a blinking folder with a question mark on it.

When I have tried to follow your suggestions, both Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R and Command-OPTION-R, I get the same results as when I just tried Command-R--it immediately comes up with a graphic of a spinning globe, and asks for my wi-fi information. After I enter the wifi code, it just sits and does nothing visible for several minutes (with the globe still spinning). It never takes me to internet utilities or gives me any other options (other than to change wifi networks). After a few minutes, it comes up with the same globe, but now with an exclamation point, and the error code: "apple.com/support -2002F"-

Do you have any further thoughts?

 

[diego.caraballo]

Thanks for the input. If I attempt to boot up the Mac now without doing anything special, all I get is a blinking folder with a question mark on it.

When I have tried to follow your suggestions, both Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R and Command-OPTION-R, I get the same results as when I just tried Command-R--it immediately comes up with a graphic of a spinning globe, and asks for my wi-fi information. After I enter the wifi code, it just sits and does nothing visible for several minutes (with the globe still spinning). It never takes me to internet utilities or gives me any other options (other than to change wifi networks). After a few minutes, it comes up with the same globe, but now with an exclamation point, and the error code: "apple.com/support -2002F"-

Do you have any further thoughts?

Hi!
Error codes starting with 2 are related to network issues.
I suggest that you restart your WiFi router, connect an ethernet cable directly to the iMac, or use your iPhone as a hotspot (download will be around 5-6GB, keep that in mind if you have a limited data plan).

 

[Fishrrman]

"When I have tried to follow your suggestions, both Command-SHIFT-OPTION-R and Command-OPTION-R, I get the same results as when I just tried Command-R--it immediately comes up with a graphic of a spinning globe, and asks for my wi-fi information.
...
Do you have any further thoughts?"

Yep.
Get an ethernet cable.
MOVE the iMac to be close to your modem/router.
Connect it DIRECTLY using the ethernet cable.

Now... try again.

 

[BenMc47]

Hi!
Error codes starting with 2 are related to network issues.
I suggest that you restart your WiFi router, connect an ethernet cable directly to the iMac, or use your iPhone as a hotspot (download will be around 5-6GB, keep that in mind if you have a limited data plan).

Thanks so much. Actually just switching to my phone's network instead of my wi-fi got the whole thing working, at least with the Command-OPTION-R option (I suspect because the original OS was too old to download from anywhere easily).

I have to do the same thing with a Mac Mini that is even older--just wondering if you'd know if I should follow the same steps outlined above or if there are any variations with this machine:

• OSX Version 10.8.5

• Processor 2.3 GHZ Intel Core i7

• Memory 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Thanks in advance.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Thanks so much. Actually just switching to my phone's network instead of my wi-fi got the whole thing working, at least with the Command-OPTION-R option (I suspect because the original OS was too old to download from anywhere easily).

I have to do the same thing with a Mac Mini that is even older--just wondering if you'd know if I should follow the same steps outlined above or if there are any variations with this machine:

• OSX Version 10.8.5

• Processor 2.3 GHZ Intel Core i7

• Memory 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Thanks in advance.

Hi! Glad it worked.
I will assume that you have a Late 2012 Mac Mini.
It’s capable of running Catalina, however if it’s not fitted with an SSD disk, the performance will be painfully slow.
In that case you should make an USB installer for an older macOS (High Sierra).

Otherwise the installation procedure it’s the same as you did with the iMac.

 

[BenMc47]

Hi! Glad it worked.
I will assume that you have a Late 2012 Mac Mini.
It’s capable of running Catalina, however if it’s not fitted with an SSD disk, the performance will be painfully slow.
In that case you should make an USB installer for an older macOS (High Sierra).

Otherwise the installation procedure it’s the same as you did with the iMac.

Hey thanks again. You've been so helpful--I just thought I'd throw out my latest question in case you know the answer.

Still attempting to clean up my old 2012 Mac Mini, I have gone ahead and created a USB installer for High Sierra, as suggested. However, when I go into the Disk Utility>Startup Disk in my System Preferences on the Mini (according to instructions I've found online), the USB Installer I've created doesn't show up as an option to choose from--all I get is the computer's only internal HD. The Installer does show up on the desktop and finder as normal, though.

I'm attaching screen shots of the Startup Disk app, plus the Disk Utility info on the USB Installer (both the Device and the Volume) if you or anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks again.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Hi!
Boot up the machine while pressing OPTION with the USB plugged. It should show in the boot menu. If not, your bootable installer needs to be made again: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372