Q: Received used macbook; cant install OS?
Got my friends old MacBook after mine died. She had already erased the Hard Drive before giving it to me. I'm trying to reinstall the OS (Maverick) so I can start new. But it won't accept my Apple ID? When I enter it and try to install, I get the message 'This Item is Temporarily Unavailable' and a Cancel button. Have tried over and over. Please help!
MacBook (13-inch Mid 2009), None
Posted on Aug 8, 2016 5:04 PM
Your friend may be able to help you set up the MacBook correctly, by following
information from this Support page that helps ready the Mac for another owner.
Certain computers may be too old to see upgrade or use online Recovery
to restore versions of OS X; if the Mac shipped with DVD media, it likely
has to use that path in order to gain access to the Mac App Store.
You have mention of a 2009 MacBook in your post. -- What do you have?
That model could have shipped with a Snow Leopard version installer DVD
and if so, that is the key to gain access, update; then upgrade via App Store.
• What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support
If the computer shipped with an OS X on included optical disc media that is
the path to install a new system; Snow Leopard 10.6 is available on DVD
from the Apple Store online. With that (if OS X Recovery/internet recovery
does not function) you could then gain access to Mac App Store to upgrade.
• About OS X Recovery - Apple Support
With the computer serial number and general identification you could get
official replacement OS X install DVDs from Apple Support AppleCare for
a fee. -- These would be for the vintage of that Mac; before OS X 10.6.8
A correct OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard on DVD, from Apple Store, is likely required:
• Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple:
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Once you have correct disc media, & install it, then you'd run 'software update'
from the Apple left side drop-down menu in Finder. That would get final step
to OS X 10.6.8, this would allow the older Mac to see the Mac App Store, &
there is where you could see what later OS X may run in a vintage MacBook.
A separate link to the update part, required after installing Snow Leopard from
a retail DVD, is available as download for later offline use from Apple Support.
This item is not a complete system, and is supplemental to the main installer.
• Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1
If the computer is too old to run El Capitan, you may be able to buy a download
code for Lion OS X 10.7.5, or Mountain Lion 10.8.5 online to use in App Store.
Usually a Mac that could run Mavericks, should be able to run El Capitan; while
some features may not be supported in the older hardware.
Your friend may have some system DVD media for that computer, if not included.
See what ones there are, and then consider the upgrade path to access App Store.
Good luck in this matter!
Posted on Aug 10, 2016 5:44 AM