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how can i create a mac os flash drive because i try to reinstall mac os and it says 2 billion+ hours remaining then says unable to download required files it is a 2011 macbook pro A1278
You received software DVDs in the box with this Mac. I believe those are required. I think your Mac is too old to install an operating system a different way.
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) - Technical Specifications
If you have Linux installed, then check the health of the hard drive using GSmartControl. Post the complete health report here using the "Additional Text" icon which looks like a piece of paper.
When trying to boot into Internet Recovery Mode (Command + Option + R) it is best to connect the Mac directly to the router using an Ethernet cable (assuming macOS 10.12.6+ was installed at some point).
Unfortunately Apple doesn't provide a method of creating a bootable macOS USB installer using another OS. I am working on a method to do this from Linux as someone a while back linked to a site where there were instructions to create a macOS 10.11 USB installer on a non-compatible Mac since the "installer" can be downloaded from outside the App Store, but I just haven't had the time to pursue it.
Here is an Apple article on how to create a bootable macOS USB installer including links for the 10.11 through 10.15 installers:
I bought it used I don't even have the box I was able to install Linux from a flash drive
I don't have access to another Mac
cant install mac os from recovery
