g_e_o_rge

Q: Macbook Pro shipped with El Capitan won't work with Yosemite?

Just bought a Macbook Pro ( 15 ", i7, 16 GB, 512 flash) which shipped with El Capitan and apparently I can't install Yosemite.

 

I have audio hardware and software which by many accounts is more stable on yosemite..after having spent $3500 I think I should have the option of running the previous OS (Yosemite)... very unhappy about this..as I use my rig professionally and this is real time waster for me

 

I was advised by mac support to return my mac and look for old stock with a reseller....what a joke!!!

 

Is there some actual hardware limitation or is it the EFI / SIP / SMC ?

 

Can anyone offer a solution?

 

Thanks,

George

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Dec 13, 2015 2:42 PM

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Q: Macbook Pro shipped with El Capitan won't work with Yosemite?

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  • by Ziatron,Helpful

    Ziatron Ziatron Dec 13, 2015 7:12 PM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 4 (3,924 points)
    Apple Watch
    Dec 13, 2015 7:12 PM in response to g_e_o_rge

    Well, the official company line has always been that you cannot install older OS software on a Mac than the version that it came with.

     

    Having said this, I can tell you I have in fact install older versions of the OS on some computers, (Mac Pro towers). You will find very little in writing about whether you will be successful or not. I would make a backup of everything, partition the hard drive and try.

     

    It has been my experience you can usually go back at least one OS version, but there are no guarantees.

  • by g_e_o_rge,

    g_e_o_rge g_e_o_rge Dec 13, 2015 5:18 PM in response to Ziatron
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 5:18 PM in response to Ziatron

    Thanks for your reply and insight.

     

    Yes you’d think you could at least roll back a notch or 2 ..hardware and software qualification takes some time and I don’t want to be a beta tester.

     

    Do have  any ideas as to whether it’s an actual hardware incompatibility or whether it’s EFI (firmware) or some other type of software block?

     

    Anyway thanks again.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Dec 13, 2015 5:38 PM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 5 (7,900 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 13, 2015 5:38 PM in response to g_e_o_rge

    Were you previously running Yosemite on an older machine?

  • by g_e_o_rge,

    g_e_o_rge g_e_o_rge Dec 13, 2015 5:55 PM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 5:55 PM in response to Lanny

    yes...I did an install using the following file i downloaded from the app store:-

    OS X Yosemite v10.10.1.6.5 App Store Untouched USB Bootable 08/11/2014.zip

     

    on an older macbook pro (model identifier 8,2)     2.2 GHz i7

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Dec 13, 2015 6:07 PM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 5 (7,900 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 13, 2015 6:07 PM in response to g_e_o_rge

    I have no idea what you're trying to tell me.

     

    If you have an older Mac running Yosemite, you can install Yosemite on an external drive and test whether or not your new Mac can boot from the external.

     

    If you have a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter, and if your old Mac can be put into Target disk mode, you could try booting from the old Mac when it's in Target disk mode.

  • by g_e_o_rge,

    g_e_o_rge g_e_o_rge Dec 13, 2015 6:08 PM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 6:08 PM in response to Lanny

    Sorry I wasn't clear.

    I’m saying that I have an installer for Yosemite…but that’s not the point.

    I’ve been told categorically (by Apple tech support) that  it won’t work..why else would they suggest returning the machine?

     

    and if it does it work it doesn’t work properly ( I’ve garnered this info from other posts and forums)…and I want to know why…and if there’s a way to make it work properly.

  • by Lanny,

    Lanny Lanny Dec 13, 2015 6:13 PM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 5 (7,900 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 13, 2015 6:13 PM in response to g_e_o_rge

    I offered you a way that would allow you to test it for yourself. You're under no obligation to try it.

     

    Ignore it then.

     

    Bye.

  • by g_e_o_rge,

    g_e_o_rge g_e_o_rge Dec 13, 2015 6:17 PM in response to Lanny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 6:17 PM in response to Lanny

    Hey Lanny I didn't mean to sound ungrateful I appreciate that you took the time to respond... but testing it in this way would still leave me uncertain as to the ultimate stability...sorry if I sounded rude ..it was completely unintentional...I'm just frustrated.

    Thanks again brother

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa Dec 13, 2015 7:11 PM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 7 (31,893 points)
    iPad
    Dec 13, 2015 7:11 PM in response to g_e_o_rge

    Macs' build numbers/firmware changes continuously and which exact version they came with,  so it depends exactly which build this Mac has - here is a list:

     

    OS X versions and builds included with Mac computers - Apple Support

     

    So, you can check which one yours is and see if yours may work with Yosemite.

  • by g_e_o_rge,

    g_e_o_rge g_e_o_rge Dec 13, 2015 7:02 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 7:02 PM in response to babowa

    Thanks for the tip…I had a look and the build number is 15A284

    …which I Googled and apparently that build is the first public release of 10.11

    ….i guess that means I can’t install Yosemite?

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Dec 13, 2015 8:10 PM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 7 (31,893 points)
    iPad
    Dec 13, 2015 8:10 PM in response to g_e_o_rge

    I'd guess most likely not; however, if you have Yosemite on another Mac, I'd really try the suggestion to put a Yosemite install on an external hard drive, plug it into the Mac, and use the Option key at boot up (immediately after the startup sound) to get the Startup Manager - if the external shows up as a bootable source, boot from it to try it.

     

    Only do any of this after you've made at least one (two are better) backups!

     

    Another idea: if you still fall within the two week return period, return this one and take a look at the refurb section of the online Apple store. That is where I got my current iMac: I chose it because it could still run Mavericks which I need for my video editing software. So I put a Mavericks partition on the Mac and can boot into it if/when I need it. If you go that way, check on when the Mac was first released and ask them in a live chat about wanting to have whatever version you need installed.

  • by g_e_o_rge,

    g_e_o_rge g_e_o_rge Dec 13, 2015 8:21 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 13, 2015 8:21 PM in response to babowa

    Yeah I spoke to apple tech support a few days ago and they told me Yosemite won’t run on a machine shipped with 10.11 and if it does run  it won’t be stable...that’s what I’m peeved about.

     

    Anyway thanks for taking the time to help.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Dec 14, 2015 10:28 AM in response to g_e_o_rge
    Level 6 (8,471 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 14, 2015 10:28 AM in response to g_e_o_rge

    Return machine and look around non-apple stores selling apple products... Best Buy etc.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Dec 14, 2015 10:56 AM in response to rccharles
    Level 6 (8,471 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 14, 2015 10:56 AM in response to rccharles

    1) Return machine and look around non-apple stores selling apple products... Best Buy etc.

     

    online retailers are a great place to look.  They often have excess inventory.

     

    http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MGXC2LL-15-4-Inch-Display/dp/B00G2MB7KW

     

    http://www.macmall.com/s?rch&q=MacBook%20Pro%20yosemite&removedLicenseFilter=fal se&includeLicenseFilter=true&includeImage=true&ssrc=box

     

    [ you best call to verify they still have yosemite.  I tried to buy an older macmini online.  I 'bought' machine but found later that my order was cancelled. ]

     

    2) get the parallels app or Oracle Virtual box app and run the Yosemite in the resulting virtual machine.  That is with this software, you can run Yosemite as an application in your El Cap machine.  Warning, some apps may not work.  Virtual box is free, so download and try.

     

    R

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