Q: Am I able to go back to using my previous operating system?

Only if you can re-download a previous version from your Purchases page in the App Store. Downgrading requires that you erase the computer's disk before installing the older version or restoring it from a backup. Alternatively, sell your BB and get an Apple iPhone to replace it.

If you have a model from Mid-2011 on then you can use Network Restore. Review this first: Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery.

Install Lion Through Yosemite on a New HDD/SDD

 

     Be sure you backup your files.

 

1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears. Wait patiently - 5-15 minutes - until the Utility Menu appears.
2. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
3. After Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, this is the out-dented entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the side list. Click on the Partition tab in Disk Utility’s main window.
4. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions to one volume. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait for the process to finish. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
5. Select Reinstall OS X from the Utility Menu and click on the Install button.

 

[Permission to use part or all of the above has been granted by Kappy, exclusively, to theratter.]