Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Trying to Install OS X Yosemite after Disk Erase

I have an old Macbook Pro (2009) which I was running OS X Yosemite on. I did an erase of the Macintosh HD Disk in the Disk Utilities based on some advice on this forum. Now I am trying to reinstall the OS X Yosemite software post-erase and it will not even start the process. The Disk Utility prompts that it will verify my computers eligibility with Apple from there I get an error screen stating "An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again." I have turned it off and on a few times, to no avail.


I do not currently have any original Snow Leopard software discs that I can use to do a software install that way. Is there a way around this?

MacBook Pro 13″, OS X 10.10

Posted on Oct 5, 2020 1:36 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 11, 2020 8:24 PM

If this MacBook that you bought in June 2020 came with Catalina preinstalled then

you will not be able to convert the Yosemite or El Capitan install dmg to the

installer app you need to create a bootable USB installer.


So the question is, is the MacBook you bought in June 2020 a new MacBook

or is it a second hand MacBook and if it is a second hand MacBook what year is it from.


Can you borrow a mac from someone, this mac would need to be a mac that is capable

of running Yosemite or El Capitan.


Or you could buy a genuine Apple retail Snow Leopard DVD.


Get back to me to say what your situation is.

Similar questions

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 11, 2020 8:24 PM in response to lasirene

If this MacBook that you bought in June 2020 came with Catalina preinstalled then

you will not be able to convert the Yosemite or El Capitan install dmg to the

installer app you need to create a bootable USB installer.


So the question is, is the MacBook you bought in June 2020 a new MacBook

or is it a second hand MacBook and if it is a second hand MacBook what year is it from.


Can you borrow a mac from someone, this mac would need to be a mac that is capable

of running Yosemite or El Capitan.


Or you could buy a genuine Apple retail Snow Leopard DVD.


Get back to me to say what your situation is.

Oct 5, 2020 9:57 PM in response to lasirene

Can you not restore from the backup you made prior to erasing the disk.

Never erase your HD without a bootable clone or Time Machine backup

to restore from or a bootable USB stick installer which you could have

made before erasing your Mac.


I think that your 2009 MacBook Pro does not support Internet Recovery.

And that is why you might be getting that error message.

If I am wrong I'd be happy to be corrected..


Can you get access to another mac, preferably a mac that is capable of running

Yosemite or El Capitan.

If you can get back to me for further instructions.

Trying to Install OS X Yosemite after Disk Erase

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.