Patrick Dixon wrote:
I was on El Capitan. I am trying to go back to it. Therefore, from app Store I select the Download button for El Capitan, which is shown in the image. Nothing happens. I select the Download for anything else. Nothing happens. That is the problem.
As to your question about how Snow Leopard solves anything, this is the verbose mode dialog showing where my machine was failing to boot on El Capitan.
This problem arose after I tried cleaning up applications that I was not using. I tried to do this very carefully, but apparently some apps might have had more tentacles into the system than I was aware of. I tried every solution I could find, and only re-installing the original OS solved it. I can now boot.
The issue is not why I am back on Snow Leopard. The issue is why I cannot download from App Store.
Yes. Recovery is the way to reinstall a failing macOS and if not Recovery internet Recovery.
If you can boot to neither there are other ways .
Your point is well taken—you are stuck with Snow Leopard.
You do not itemize what you could not download—you mention one El Capitan. You can not jump that far ahead to download that macOS,, the machine is not recognized as valid. Back in the day, you could only upgrade 2 OSX at a leap. That is why it is always advised to stay current, so each successive macOS can migrate the data seamlessly forward.
Do you have any type of back up what so ever—this seems the way forward in an effort to restore your system.
Bootable USB installer of El Capitain?
a Boot clone of your El Capitan,
A DiskUtility Restore copy of your El Capitan?
A Cloud based backup of El Capitan?
A time Machine backup?
Apple store can probably supply you with a copy of Mountain Lion— I believe this is the macOS you need to stair step your way up.
Do you have access to another mac to down load El Capitan and create a bootable USB installer?
How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
