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Timothy Sassoon

Q: createinstallmedia wouldn't run (Mavericks), sudo or not.

Followed the instructions to make a bootable USB disk (I want a fresh install), tried to run it with sudo and just with administrator, both would read the man page, but neither would run the app. Hints appreciated.

Posted on Nov 30, 2013 9:55 AM

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Q: createinstallmedia wouldn't run (Mavericks), sudo or not.

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  • by arthur,

    arthur arthur Nov 30, 2013 10:07 AM in response to Timothy Sassoon
    Level 5 (5,193 points)
    iBooks
    Nov 30, 2013 10:07 AM in response to Timothy Sassoon
  • by AbsoluteComputers,

    AbsoluteComputers AbsoluteComputers Dec 2, 2013 2:18 AM in response to Timothy Sassoon
    Level 2 (219 points)
    Dec 2, 2013 2:18 AM in response to Timothy Sassoon

    Not sure what command line you used, but assuming you have the 'Install OS X Mavericks' application in the Applications folder and have formatted a USB stick as a single GUID partition used the default name of 'Untitled', this is the exact command line to use:

     

    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app --nointeraction

     

     

    Once it's finished, you can choose this after holding down the Alt key at startup

  • by lucasgoldsmith,

    lucasgoldsmith lucasgoldsmith Dec 10, 2013 3:04 PM in response to AbsoluteComputers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 10, 2013 3:04 PM in response to AbsoluteComputers

    Hi there,

     

    I have tried this command, but I got the below error message.

     

    sudo: unable to execute /Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia: Malformed Mach-o file

     

    Do you have any ideas on this? Thanks.

     

    I bought this Macbook Pro 15'' Retina 2 week ago which comes with OS X Mavericks pre-installed. I can't download Install OS X Mavericks.app from MAC App Store. Therefore, I download this file from some another website. Not sure that matters.

  • by arthur,

    arthur arthur Dec 10, 2013 3:58 PM in response to lucasgoldsmith
    Level 5 (5,193 points)
    iBooks
    Dec 10, 2013 3:58 PM in response to lucasgoldsmith
  • by AbsoluteComputers,

    AbsoluteComputers AbsoluteComputers Dec 11, 2013 1:40 AM in response to lucasgoldsmith
    Level 2 (219 points)
    Dec 11, 2013 1:40 AM in response to lucasgoldsmith

    That sounds like a corrupt image, NEVER download an Apple application from a non Apple site, you run a real risk of a virus attack.

     

    You say you can't download from the App store, I take it you've logged onto the AppStore with your Apple id etc. and can see and dowload any other free Apps as a test?

     

    As you already have Mavericks installed, you can boot off the emergency partition and check your Hard disk for errors before going too much further.

  • by lucasgoldsmith,

    lucasgoldsmith lucasgoldsmith Dec 11, 2013 3:43 AM in response to AbsoluteComputers
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 11, 2013 3:43 AM in response to AbsoluteComputers

    Thanks for your information. I have already contact AppleCare. As my Macbook has already pre-installed Mavericks on it, therefore I can't download installation app from MAC App Store. They could give me a copy from one of their retail stores. Book in this Friday already.

  • by 213JB,

    213JB 213JB Apr 15, 2014 8:28 PM in response to lucasgoldsmith
    Level 2 (380 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 8:28 PM in response to lucasgoldsmith

    You can indeed download Mavericks on a Mac that has Mavericks already on it.

     

    In the Mac app store, search Mavericks. Its a free application. Sign in using your Apple id. It will show up in your purchases section at the top.

     

    You will have the option to download it.

     

    At the very most it will give you a message saying

    " OS X v10.9.2 is already installed on this computer. Use the Updates page to install the 10.9 update or if you would like to download the full OS X installer click Continue "

     

    Just continue.

  • by billwr,

    billwr billwr Nov 9, 2014 11:01 PM in response to 213JB
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 9, 2014 11:01 PM in response to 213JB

    No.  You can't.  I tried several times.  Perhaps the was true for you at the time you wrote the message, but OS X Mavericks unfortunately is NOT on the Mac app store, despite the fact that I am running Mavericks.