Squall Hunter

Q: Can't Upgrade iLife on a gifted Macbook

I was given a Macbook by a friend, and it wouldn't let me upgrade iLife, so, upon a suggestion I found online, I tried deleting iPhoto to see if it would let me add it back with my own Apple ID... didn't work. Now iPhoto is missing, and I still can't upgrade iLife (Because it's using an Apple ID that's not my own)

 

How can I get iPhoto back, and use my own Apple ID for iLife?

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Jun 11, 2014 7:39 AM

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Q: Can't Upgrade iLife on a gifted Macbook

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  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 11, 2014 8:26 AM in response to Squall Hunter
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 11, 2014 8:26 AM in response to Squall Hunter

    Enter the serial number of your MBA here:

     

    https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

     

    Post back the exact model information.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Linc Davis,Helpful

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 11, 2014 9:37 AM in response to Squall Hunter
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Jun 11, 2014 9:37 AM in response to Squall Hunter

    The first thing to do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.

    How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.

    It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.

    1. If you don't own another Mac

    If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.

    If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received those media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.

    To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.

    If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.

    Some models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you may not be able to reinstall 10.6 even from the original discs, and Internet Recovery may not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.

    2. If you do own another Mac

    If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.

    3. Partition and install OS X

    a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.

    b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the  Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.

    c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:

     

    • OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner
    • The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault
    • You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)

     

    In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.

    d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.

    e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.

    4. Other issues

    a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.

    b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to  authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.

    c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

  • by Squall Hunter,

    Squall Hunter Squall Hunter Jun 12, 2014 8:02 AM in response to Squall Hunter
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2014 8:02 AM in response to Squall Hunter

    Wow... sounds like a lot of work just for a few messed-up programs... :/

     

    The previous owner didn't purchase any apps, and supposedly wiped it out and just set it up new before he gave it to me. I didn't get any installation media with it, so I wouldn't lose anything in that way.

     

    I have done a lot of personal stuff on it though and, though there are still no purchased apps, I don't like the thought of having to find some way to back everything up, hope I get it all, and hope I can restore it properly...

     

    I was able to authorize it with no problems.

     

     

    That page didn't give me any model number, it just says the laptop is past warranty, and says:

    MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012)

     

    So... There's no other way besides reinstall to just get me iLife for myself?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 12, 2014 10:24 AM in response to Squall Hunter
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 12, 2014 10:24 AM in response to Squall Hunter

    A 11" 2012 MBA came with Lion (10.7.4) or later with Mt. Lion (10.8-!0.8.3).  What you should do is boot the MBA holding the OPTION+COMMAND+R keys.  This will result in a display showing a revolving globe.  This will connect you to the Apple servers and install the original OSX that came with your MBA.  Make certain that you have a solid Internet connection.

     

    At that point, your MBA will be as when it was new and will be registered in your name.  That will allow you to download apps under your ID.  If you want Mavericks again, download it from the App store.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Squall Hunter,

    Squall Hunter Squall Hunter Jun 12, 2014 2:49 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2014 2:49 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Will that just reverse the OSX, or will it wipe out my stuff?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 12, 2014 3:07 PM in response to Squall Hunter
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 12, 2014 3:07 PM in response to Squall Hunter

    It will install the original OSX. It should not have any affect on your data.  Nevertheless a backup is essential if the data is of value to you.  Sometimes the unforeseen may happen and a backup can rectify any such disaster.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Squall Hunter,

    Squall Hunter Squall Hunter Jun 12, 2014 5:53 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2014 5:53 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Okay, thank you

  • by Squall Hunter,

    Squall Hunter Squall Hunter Jun 17, 2014 10:47 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 17, 2014 10:47 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    I tried the option + command + R key thing, reset it, deleted old partition, installed lion anew, and then iLife was gone altogether, but the original owner said that it just came with it, and it should work for me. So I tried using a backup of the software, and it wants someone else's information to update it...

     

    the computer is owned by me, in my name, has my iCloud account on it, etc...

     

    Did I miss something?

  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Jun 17, 2014 11:01 AM in response to Squall Hunter
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 17, 2014 11:01 AM in response to Squall Hunter

    Follow the directions listed here:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4381

     

    Ciao.

  • by Squall Hunter,

    Squall Hunter Squall Hunter Jun 17, 2014 11:28 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 17, 2014 11:28 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thank you... Trying again.

     

    (Side note... As I try to reinstall Lion, it's saying "Could not find installation information for this machine.     Contact AppleCare." -- However, this happened last time as well... I think if I try a few times it'll go through.)

  • by Squall Hunter,Solvedanswer

    Squall Hunter Squall Hunter Jun 19, 2014 5:37 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 5:37 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Each time I tried to claim the apps it said they belonged to another user, but I called Apple and they helped me get my apps back.

     

    Thanks!