dandrefromknightdale

Q: OS X El Capitan Will not Reinstall

I have backed up all of my data and I am now trying to reinstall os x el capitan back onto my macbook pro. Each time I attempt to do this through Command R, an error message pops up telling me to please try again. After a little research It was brought to my attention that the date needs to be updated through the terminal. Seemed simple enough, however, each time I input the information in, I get "command not found". After hours of research, it seemed I hit a brick wall. I grabbed my mothers laptop to download os x el capitan to a flash drive to use as a bootable drive and this is where I am now. I have the flash drive plugged in and terminal open. I typed in "createinstallmedia" and I get back "command not found" i'm completely lost here. I feel I am so close but yet so far. Can anyone help me with this?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Oct 5, 2016 8:05 PM

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Q: OS X El Capitan Will not Reinstall

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  • by Kappy,Apple recommended

    Kappy Kappy Oct 5, 2016 8:12 PM in response to dandrefromknightdale
    Level 10 (271,755 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 5, 2016 8:12 PM in response to dandrefromknightdale

    Create a bootable installer for OS X Mavericks or Yosemite - Apple Support

     

    Bootable USB Installers for OS X Mavericks to Sierra

     

    First, review this introductory article: Create a bootable installer for OS X Mavericks or Yosemite - Apple Support. Second, see this How To outline for creating a bootable El Capitan installer. Simply replace the Terminal command with the one from the preceding article by copying it into the Terminal window.

     

    You will need an 8GB or larger USB flash drive that has been partitioned and formatted for use with OS X.

     

    Drive Partition and Format

     

    1. Open Disk Utility in the Utilities folder.
    2. After Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the side list.
    3. Click on the Erase tab in the Disk Utility toolbar. Name the drive, "MyVolume". <---- IMPORTANT!
    4. In the drop down panel set the partition scheme to GUID. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
    5. Click on the Apply button and wait for the Done button to activate. When it does click on it.
    6. Quit Disk Utility.

     

    Create Installer

     

    Open the Terminal in the Utilities folder. Choose the appropriate command line (in red) depending upon what OS X installer you want. Paste that entire command line from below at the Terminal's prompt:

     

    Command for macOS Sierra:

    sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyV --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app

     

    Command for El Capitan:

    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app

     

    Command for Yosemite:

    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app

     

    Command for Mavericks:

    sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app

     

    Press RETURN. You will be asked for your admin password. It will not echo to the Terminal window. Then press RETURN again. Wait for the return of the Terminal prompt signifying the process has completed. It takes quite some time to finish. Be patient.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 5, 2016 8:26 PM in response to dandrefromknightdale
    Level 9 (73,720 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 5, 2016 8:26 PM in response to dandrefromknightdale

    You can make a bootable USB stick to install using this free program which will do all the work for you.

     

    Bootable USB Flash Drive – Diskmaker X    

  • by dandrefromknightdale,

    dandrefromknightdale dandrefromknightdale Oct 6, 2016 6:17 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 6, 2016 6:17 AM in response to Kappy

    Thank you for responding to me. I am grateful for you to help me. I have read the links and those steps led me to the issue to have to post the question. I am usually one to search how to do every single thing option before resorting to the discussion boards. since I have some help now, I'll be more detailed. here are screenshots of me going through your steps and please let me know what I am missing here. i just know I have to be doing something wrong 

    IMG_0066.PNG

    THis is is the flash with the installer on it. I then partitioned and formatted (erase tab...rename to my volume) the drive. I then went to utilities and opened terminal

     

    IMG_0070.PNG

    I Inputed the command and got "command not found"

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Oct 6, 2016 9:43 AM in response to dandrefromknightdale
    Level 10 (271,755 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 6, 2016 9:43 AM in response to dandrefromknightdale

    Because you cannot execute the command in bash. You need to boot the computer from a running system. Use the command to create a bootable USB installer. Boot the computer from the flash drive using OPTION boot.

     

    1. You will need a running Mac that is booted into El Capitan.
    2. Insert a formatted flash drive labeled, "MyVolume" into the computer.
    3. Open Terminal.
    4. Copy and paste the command line and press RETURN.
    5. Enter the Admin password and press RETURN, again.

     

    Boot using the OPTION key:

     

    1. Restart the computer.
    2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "OPTION" key.
    3. Release the key when the boot manager appears.
    4. Select the disk icon for the flash drive.
    5. Click on the Arrow button below the icon.