Recently received a 2008 20" iMac in great working shape - just won't boot out of disk utility since previous owner erased it and thus lost the OSX Journaled Extended format. Suggestions on how to reformat? I attempted reinstalling El Capitan- it just tells me "operation can't be completed at this time."
Michael's iMac 20", iMac
Did the previous owner provide you with the two Software Restore DVDs that came from the factory? They are needed to erase the drive and install the version of OS X that came pre-installed from the factory. If you do not have these disks, then contact the previous owner and ask for them. You cannot get the disks from Apple.
You cannot install El Capitan on it since the drive was erased. Furthermore, you cannot tie your Apple ID to the computer until the previous owner's is effectively removed by erasing and reformatting the drive using the Software Restore DVDs.
Did the previous owner provide you with the two Software Restore DVDs that came from the factory? They are needed to erase the drive and install the version of OS X that came pre-installed from the factory. If you do not have these disks, then contact the previous owner and ask for them. You cannot get the disks from Apple.
You cannot install El Capitan on it since the drive was erased. Furthermore, you cannot tie your Apple ID to the computer until the previous owner's is effectively removed by erasing and reformatting the drive using the Software Restore DVDs.
Yes, start with Snow Leopard. However, you will need 10.6.6 or later in order to access the Apple Store, if you wish to upgrade. If you have 10.6 or 10.6.3, then you will have to find Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. I don't know if Apple still makes that available.
I only have snow leopard 10.6 - I'm installing it now. I had to mess around with the HDD because it was erased (I just partitioned it and reformatted it) but I should be able to access the internet and find a DMG of El Capitan. Thanks for your help!
Also, it isn't available anymore, but it should be fine.
I only have Jaguar, Tiger, Leopard, and Snow leopard on force install disks - should I try snow leopard? And thank you.
Best way to reformat HD on an iMac in disk utility?
