dansallin35
Level 1 (8 points)
Desktops

Q: need help installing El Capitain on 2010 iMac after secure format on hard drive

Hey guys...this might sound newb but the other day I securely wiped (single pass format) my HDD on a 2010 imac with Mavericks. Somehow the OS partition was deleted by the previous owner, but they had no idea how, and gave the system to me as a gift. I had the option to reinstall Mavericks via internet but by using the original Apple ID which I could not get, hence the complete format. Does formatting completely unregister the iMac and remove the App Store, ID, iTunes and other settings/passwords? I have a bootable thumb drive that will install El Capitain but need to know if using my personal Apple ID for installation will work without issues? I'm at the point where the system no longer boots automatically into recovery mode, since the format, which means Command+R is my next step, but I had to order an Magic mouse/keyboard set since it didn't come with those. Anyhow thank you for any advice you may offer.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), OSX was not fully installed

Posted on May 16, 2016 4:45 PM

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dansallin35

Q: need help installing El Capitain on 2010 iMac after secure format on hard drive

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Gino_Cerullo,

    Gino_Cerullo Gino_Cerullo May 16, 2016 6:47 PM in response to dansallin35
    Level 3 (567 points)
    Apple TV
    May 16, 2016 6:47 PM in response to dansallin35

    The Mac does not work that way. The hardware is not registered to any particular Apple ID. You can either use OS X Internet Recovery, which will install the original system that came with that computer or you can install from bootable installer on a UBS drive, in which case you can install any version of OS supported by the hardware that you choose or can download.

     

    In either case, once you've started the computer from either the Internet Recovery or the USB drive run Disk Utility to completely erase the disk before running the Installer.

     

    OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

     

    Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack May 16, 2016 6:53 PM in response to dansallin35
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 16, 2016 6:53 PM in response to dansallin35

    Depending on the date your Mac was manufactured, you may need the original DVD discs it shipped with. Call Apple and give them the serial number and they can send them to you for a nominal fee, if that's what you need.

  • by dansallin35,

    dansallin35 dansallin35 May 16, 2016 8:20 PM in response to Gino_Cerullo
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    May 16, 2016 8:20 PM in response to Gino_Cerullo

    Hey Gino...actually Macs do work this way. Before posting my question the info below was sourced, right here, on Apple.com...
    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

     

    Also here...

    http://osxdaily.com/2015/10/01/clean-install-os-x-el-capitan-mac/

     

    Now...as an IT tech myself I do work on Macs, but the issue I had personally was that the old OS (Mavericks) that came on this iMac required me to sign in with the App Store credentials to completely validate reinstallation, which I could not due to not having the previous owners info. As a result I tried my personal Apple ID and the system said that mine had never been used to sign in on this system. Made sense to me. Thus I completely formatted the HDD to begin a fresh installation of El Capitain. My only hang up is now waiting for my order of Magic peripherals so I can use the Command key lol. I'll keep an eye out for any further developments and communicate is needed. Thanks!

  • by Gino_Cerullo,Helpful

    Gino_Cerullo Gino_Cerullo May 16, 2016 9:23 PM in response to dansallin35
    Level 3 (567 points)
    Apple TV
    May 16, 2016 9:23 PM in response to dansallin35

    My point was that once you re-format the hard drive and install a supported operating system a Mac computer can be used by anyone with any Apple ID that belongs to them. Hence my statement,

     

    "In either case, once you've started the computer from either the Internet Recovery or the USB drive run Disk Utility to completely erase the disk before running the Installer."

     

    The hardware, is not locked to any particular Apple ID, unlike say an iPhone or iPad which must be released by the original owner by logging out of their iCloud account before passing the device on to the next owner. Regarding the web page you referenced, even the "My Support Profile" registration is meaningless, it's mainly just there to inform the owner about warranty service. An owner is not required to do any of the things mentioned on that page prior to passing on a Mac to another owner. They are just "best practices" to protect the original owners privacy and identity.

     

    Trust me, I've been working with and supporting Macs for over 25 years.

  • by dansallin35,

    dansallin35 dansallin35 May 16, 2016 9:23 PM in response to Gino_Cerullo
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    May 16, 2016 9:23 PM in response to Gino_Cerullo

    Good! Now that it seems the question was satisfied here, I can finish what I started. The best practices were my concern, in terms of online validation, similar to Microsoft in its attempt to lock down software with product keys. I dissemble Macs and its almost easier than creating accounts with frustrated clients who hire me. As long as installation of El Capitain works with or without a personal Apple ID, and configuring things accordingly for lets say someone I sell to, then all is well. I'll leave the Mac ready for the next user to setup. Thank you Gino.