hiap8
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: El Captain downloaded but can't install

Hello, I recently downloaded OS X El Capitan, but when I get to the install page the message simply reads "can't install to this HD" or it says that this HD is used for Time Machine backup. I have read the feeds on similar issues here, and followed some instructions, but I can't seem to figure out what is going on.

 

I have a mid-2010 MacBook which is still operating with 10.8.5. I never followed through with Mavericks or Yosimitie because I had the same issue. Any ideas?

MacBook (13-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Feb 14, 2016 1:59 AM

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hiap8

Q: El Captain downloaded but can't install

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  • Helpful answers

  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Feb 14, 2016 2:16 AM in response to hiap8
    Level 10 (93,329 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 14, 2016 2:16 AM in response to hiap8

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities

     

    See -> If you can't install OS X on a Time Machine backup disk - Apple Support

     

    First of all, unplug all the external devices connected to your Mac (if any), and then follow those steps. The reason why you see a message saying that your HD is used for Time Machine may be that you have the "Backups.backupdb" folder on it, even if you do not use Time Machine. You should be able to install OS X after following those steps.

  • by Eau Rouge,

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Feb 14, 2016 2:21 AM in response to hiap8
    Level 4 (3,047 points)
    Mac App Store
    Feb 14, 2016 2:21 AM in response to hiap8

    you have to get rid of the Backups.backupdb folder, make a copy of it on another disk and then delete.

    you should be able to upgrade now.

  • by hiap8,

    hiap8 hiap8 Feb 14, 2016 6:23 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 14, 2016 6:23 AM in response to mende1

    Thank you for getting back to me. I have been trying for a while to find the Backup.backupdb folder. I cannot find it in finder or spotlight search. I found it in the actual Time Machine. I emptied the folder since I cannot delete it from there. I did turn Time Machine off though. Now when I try to install it just has a statement. "OS X cannot be installed on this HD" with no explanation. The Install icon does not highlight to continue.

     

    I do not have any external HDs. The HD I am trying to use has 141 GB available.

  • by Eau Rouge,

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Feb 14, 2016 8:25 AM in response to hiap8
    Level 4 (3,047 points)
    Mac App Store
    Feb 14, 2016 8:25 AM in response to hiap8

    Regardless of whether you have Time Machine on or off, try this, if the HD that your current OS X 10.8.5 is on is selected as a Time Machine disk.

    Go to System Preferences> Time Machine > Select Disk and then Remove Disk and then Stop Using This Disk

    Screen Shot 2016-02-14 at 16.19.49.jpg

    Now do a complete search for Backups.backupdb folder on the drive you want to install El Capitan on.

    If you are absolutely sure it is not there, then try the install again.

     

    What happens?