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Installing macOS only, from time machine backup

Hello everyone,


I'm selling my mid 2011 imac and so recently backed up the HD using time machine to an external HD, then erased the HD using macOS utilities. On trying to reinstall macOS i got the error message 'a required download is missing'.


My first question is why has it said this? and secondly is it possible to install the OS from the time machine backup i created without dragging everything else over?


Thanks folks,


Don

iMac 21.5", OS X 10.11

Posted on Feb 11, 2020 3:20 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 13, 2020 1:52 AM

If you have access to another Mac and a 16GB flash drive you can try creating a USB Bootable installer.

See this link on how to create and use: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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6 replies

Feb 11, 2020 4:50 PM in response to donnie darko UK

Hi Donnie,


1. Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904#notupdated

Command (⌘)-R

Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.


Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.


Shift-Option-⌘-R

Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.


2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk

If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.

3. Install macOS

After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:

1 Choose Reinstall macOS (or Reinstall OS X) from the Utilities window.

2 Click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to choose your disk and begin installation.

3 If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. If it doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk. 


1 Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.


If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4

If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:

• Command-R is still the recommended way to start up from macOS Recovery. This combination makes sure that the installation isn't associated with your Apple ID, which is important if you're selling or giving away your Mac.

• Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

• Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

Feb 13, 2020 1:32 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for this BDAqua,


Command + R does not help me because I can not download the OS, it comes up with the error message 'a required download Is missing'. I tried command + option + R and it displayed the spinning globe with progress bar, after progress bar had finished it displayed the apple logo but stuck on this screen for over an hour. I then turned the mac off.


I decided to reinstall my time machine back up but my external HD has decided to stop working, so now I have no idea what to do lol. Any other ideas?


Thanks for help


Don

Installing macOS only, from time machine backup

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