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User profile for user: nathan2106
nathan2106 Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Installing macOS on a blank hard drive

I have an older MacBook Pro (mid 2012). The original HDD broke but I figured instead of taking it to support I could simply reboot it using a blank HDD which I had at home. I tried to create a bootable USB drive but when downloading macOS Catalina from the App Store it just sends me to system preferences rather than downloading the actual installer. Does anyone know a workaround to this?

MacBook

Posted on Jul 4, 2020 10:40 AM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,873 points

Posted on Jul 4, 2020 11:12 AM

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-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 external 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 APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a volume name, usually "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply 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.


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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,873 points

Jul 4, 2020 11:12 AM in response to nathan2106

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-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 external 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 APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a volume name, usually "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply 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.


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Installing macOS on a blank hard drive

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