brianfromwestmichigan

Q: How do I download OS X 10.10 on a Mac running 10.11.4?

I have an iMac currently running OS X 10.11.4. I use this computer primarily with amateur (ham) radio applications. I just learned that a problem I am having with a particular application is because OS X 10.11.__ no longer fully supports a component of that application - but OS X 10.10.__ does.

 

I would like to be able to download OS X 10.10 to that computer, ideally while retaining the current installation of 10.11.4. I have been informed that if I have both versions, I can select which version loads on boot-up by holding the option key.

 

So, my questions are

 

1) from where can I download an authentic version of OS X 10.10. (Ideally this would be somewhere on the Apple website)., and

 

2) What special steps would I need to take when downloading in order to keep OS X 10.10 and OS X 10.11.4 available on the same iMac?

 

Thanks,

 

Brian

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Apr 15, 2016 7:18 AM

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Q: How do I download OS X 10.10 on a Mac running 10.11.4?

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  • by Limnos,Apple recommended

    Limnos Limnos Apr 15, 2016 7:36 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 9 (53,658 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 7:36 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    You can only download Yosemite if you have previously downloaded it or the computer came with that OSX originally.

     

    If the computer came new with El Capitan installed it will not run an earlier OSX.

     

    If you have downloaded Yosemite previously you can re-download it with the Mac App Store app.

     

    If you can find and run Yosemite you will have to either use a separate drive to install Yosemite onto that  or split your current drive into two volumes and install Yosemite on one of those. Switching between systems will require a reboot each time.

  • by Eau Rouge,Helpful

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Apr 15, 2016 7:36 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 4 (2,754 points)
    Mac App Store
    Apr 15, 2016 7:36 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    Did you ever have 10.10 before, if so try the Purchases page in the App Store to see if you can download again.

    In order to have both OS's available you would need to partition your HD so you can install 10.10.

    If your Mac came with 10.11 you will not be able to install an older OS.

  • by brianfromwestmichigan,

    brianfromwestmichigan brianfromwestmichigan Apr 15, 2016 7:36 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 7:36 AM in response to Limnos

    Thank you both. This is an older iMac so I know that I previously had Yosemite.

     

    Now I just need to read up on how to partition my hard drive into two volumes. (I may be back0.

     

    Brian

  • by Eau Rouge,

    Eau Rouge Eau Rouge Apr 15, 2016 7:38 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 4 (2,754 points)
    Mac App Store
    Apr 15, 2016 7:38 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    Use Disk Utility, or do you have another external drive you can put it on.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 15, 2016 7:41 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 9 (53,658 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 7:41 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    While I believe newer OS versions do permit limited re-partitioning of an active drive without a complete erase you should make sure you back up first.  You may simply find it easier to use an external drive.

     

    Pondini - Formatting,  Partitioning, Verifying,  and  Repairing  Disks

    https://web.archive.org/web/20150511032110/http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html

     

    Kappy's brief drive formatting instructions (12/2012)

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/20571091#20571091

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Apr 15, 2016 8:50 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 6 (15,612 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 8:50 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    brianfromwestmichigan wrote:

     

     

    2) What special steps would I need to take when downloading in order to keep OS X 10.10 and OS X 10.11.4 available on the same iMac?

     

     

    Backups.  Backups.  Backups.   Backups of everything.  Yes, disk partitioning and re-partitioning usually works.  When re-partitioning doesn't work — which happens more often than any of us might prefer — the most expedient, reliable and economical path to recovery is erasing the entire disk, repartitioning fresh, and rolling in the backups from each partition.

     

    FWIW...  OS X 10.11 has been out for quite a while — first in betas available to the developers, and then starting back in 2014 as the main release — and if the folks responsible for the particular amateur radio software app here haven't updated the software app for compatibility, then you're only going to fall further behind here.   If past practices are any guide, then the currently-previous release OS X 10.10 is probably going to fall off of support and off of updates with the next OS X release past 10.11, and that new release is likely already under development at Apple.   Put another way, this entire situation is headed toward either an application update or an application replacement.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Apr 15, 2016 10:34 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 9 (70,028 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 15, 2016 10:34 AM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    Creating a partition isn't hard. Restart with command - R held down and open Disk Utility.

     

    Step 1 - select the top level hard drive.

     

    Step 2 - select the Partition tab.

     

    Step 3 - grab the //// to slide the partition up to make room for a new partition.

     

    Step 4 - select the vacant space and hit the + sign. 

     

    Step 5- Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and add a name.

     

    Step 5a, click and select GUID.

     

    Then Apply.

     

    Hard Drive Partition.png

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Apr 15, 2016 11:01 AM in response to Eau Rouge
    Level 5 (7,013 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 11:01 AM in response to Eau Rouge

    you can install down to the OS that was available at the time of your computers manufacturing lifespan if you own that OS.

    e.g. if you bought an iMac manufactured at the time of Yosemite, but when you purchased it the computer came with El Capitan installed you and you own Yosemite you can install Yosemite and still by fully under warranty with Apple.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 15, 2016 11:07 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 9 (53,658 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 11:07 AM in response to Eric Root
  • by brianfromwestmichigan,

    brianfromwestmichigan brianfromwestmichigan Apr 15, 2016 12:53 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 12:53 PM in response to Limnos

    Thank you all. I think that I have successfully partitioned the hard drive and I am in the process of downloading Yosemite.

     

    My next question is: Once I have Yosemite installed (hopefully in the new volume that I have partitioned), when I reboot the computer, how do I select the volume I want (i.e. El Capitan volume or Yosemite volume)?

     

    Someone I contacted outside of the forum said to do this by holding down the Option key while booting up. If this is correct, when should I release the Option key when I here the chimes, or when something specific appears on the screen during boot-up?

     

    FYI the Yosemite volume is a temporary solution. The developer of the software in question is working on an update that will address Apple's diminishing support for the offending portion of the software. When this occurs, I intend to remove the partition and return the entire hard drive to El Capitan.

     

    Thanks,

     

    Brian

  • by MrHoffman,

    MrHoffman MrHoffman Apr 15, 2016 1:00 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 6 (15,612 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 1:00 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    brianfromwestmichigan wrote:

     

     

    My next question is: Once I have Yosemite installed (hopefully in the new volume that I have partitioned), when I reboot the computer, how do I select the volume I want (i.e. El Capitan volume or Yosemite volume)?

     

    Someone I contacted outside of the forum said to do this by holding down the Option key while booting up. If this is correct, when should I release the Option key when I here the chimes, or when something specific appears on the screen during boot-up?

     

    Here's the official Apple HT201255 documentation for the keys available during OS X startup, with a description of when and how long to hold the keys.

  • by brianfromwestmichigan,

    brianfromwestmichigan brianfromwestmichigan Apr 15, 2016 2:04 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 1 (7 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 15, 2016 2:04 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    That's very helpful.

     

    I have temporarily halted my download of Yosemite because I am not confident that I have correctly designated the new volume as the destination (the download status icon appears with the icons for all my other apps residing on the El Capitan volume).

     

    I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me (or direct me to the information) as to how to target the Yosemite volume for the download of Yosemite. The Yosemite volume appears in Disk Utility but it does not yet appear as a choice under Startup in Preferences.

     

    Thank you.

     

    Brian

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Apr 15, 2016 2:21 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 9 (70,028 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 15, 2016 2:21 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    Once the installer opens, you will come to a page where you can select which partition to install it on. Select whatever you named that partition. It won't appear in Startup until it has an OS installed on it.

  • by Acm001,

    Acm001 Acm001 Apr 15, 2016 4:13 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan
    Level 3 (623 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 15, 2016 4:13 PM in response to brianfromwestmichigan

    When 10.10 finishes downloading it will not be able to install to the new partition. You will get a message saying its to old to install.You have to create a usb installer boot from it and install to the new partition you created.

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