User profile for user: Jaquino911
Jaquino911 Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

MacBook Pro 2012-2015 wont update it factory reset

When I try and factory reset the MacBook Pro it goes to internet recovery mode which I am then enters utilities. However I am not able to update to Lion, or delete everything to start fresh. I’ve had this Mac since early 2012 and never had issues until I started to store a bunch of crap inside, now I have a MacBook Air 2020 and I was told to try a bootable update with a usb and was run through the steps with Apple for hours to realize my mac wasn’t compatible to do so. Are there any other options? I was not able to download “El capitan” to my MacBook air so I would be able to send it to my usb that was formatted to transfer it to my old MacBook Pro

Mac Pro

Posted on May 25, 2020 10:30 AM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Posted on May 25, 2020 7:52 PM

If your model is from Late-2011 or later, then it can do an Internet Recovery. This process will install a version of macOS but I don't know which one.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible, back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a name for the volume, usually, "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply/Erase button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  10. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  11. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


The Apple server based version of Disk Utility may be earlier than the one I used, so you may have to adapt to the difference in Disk Utility version. But Disk Utility is pretty basic and easy to learn. You will need a solid Internet connection. If possible, use Ethernet because it is faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.



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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

May 25, 2020 7:52 PM in response to Jaquino911

If your model is from Late-2011 or later, then it can do an Internet Recovery. This process will install a version of macOS but I don't know which one.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible, back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a name for the volume, usually, "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply/Erase button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  10. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  11. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


The Apple server based version of Disk Utility may be earlier than the one I used, so you may have to adapt to the difference in Disk Utility version. But Disk Utility is pretty basic and easy to learn. You will need a solid Internet connection. If possible, use Ethernet because it is faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.



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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

May 25, 2020 10:52 AM in response to Jaquino911

Exactly which Mac model do you have? Please read Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question. We are here to help. We are all users. We are not mind-readers nor clairvoyants. We only know what you write down and tell us. Be specific and thorough. Include your hardware information and installed version of macOS. Try to write clearly. Think about what you want to say before you write it down, then re-read it to see if it makes sense.


FYI: These are user-only forums. This is not Apple Support. if you need to contact Apple Support, then contact product and tech support:  Contacting Apple for support and service including international calling numbers.


These forums only provide help with Apple products. Thank you for your understanding and support.

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User profile for user: Jaquino911
Jaquino911 Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

May 25, 2020 2:19 PM in response to Kappy

Sorry about that. (iPhone auto correct did me wrong, and not re-reading)

Let's start from the beginning.


I have an old [MacBook Pro Version (Not Sure] It won't let me see "About this Mac" Option and when I turn on has a file with a question mark. Only when I press command+r before turning on will it take me to utilities. The update it says I can update but doesn't is Lion OS X. At first I didn't want to delete everything inside the MacBook Pro but being that I can't afford to fix it and have a MacBook Air now, I figured I'd do a factory reset. An apple rep followed me through some steps to try an updated and erase everything in the MacBook Pro through Disk Utilities by deleting the current disk and then being able to download the update. (An apple rep told me to delete the current disk on it, to be able to update to OS Lion.) However, that was a fail.


It didn't work. So, then we tried to use my MacBook Air with macOS Catalina Version 10.15.4 (works perfectly fine) to create a bootable disk with a 16g Usb drive that we were able to format to accept the update (That worked fine). Then, we tried to download El Captitan on my MacAir but it wouldn't download (Said it wasn't compatible to download with my Mac) Even though we prepared the USB and did all the steps (Also it says my computer is compatible to download El Capitan on on the forums, so I am not sure what went wrong.


Now when I turn on the MacBook Pro it has the file with the question mark, unless I use command+r or command+shift+r which takes me to internet recovery with the moving globe, makes me input my internet connection credentials and then takes me to disk utilities. Not sure what to do from here. Thanks for the help in advance. Sorry for the mix-up.


I know this is not apple support, I spent 5 hours on apple support yesterday and 3 different reps. I thought maybe someone in the community had a similar problem. The first two apple support techs helped me greatly and were positive it would work, the last just didn't really help and kept pushing me to go to a store. (Even though everything is closed due to covid-19)


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MacBook Pro 2012-2015 wont update it factory reset

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