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i can not reinstall mac os from recovery mode. is there another way to get an operating system on my old imac

i purchased a new imac to replace my 2008 Imac. I want to pass it on so I erased the hard drive and now cant reinstall os from recovery mode. Mouse wont connect. is there another way to reinstall a os


Posted on Dec 1, 2020 12:11 PM

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Posted on Dec 1, 2020 1:47 PM

Excellent, now you are on the right track.


If you can see the iMac's hard drive, erase and format it GUID Partition Map / Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then go back to the OS X installers and see if you can install Snow Leopard.


If you can not see the iMac's hard drive, then it has failed and needs to be replaced. At that point, I would suggest recycling it and looking for a newer working iMac to give your Granddaughter for Christmas.

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Question marked as Best reply

Dec 1, 2020 1:47 PM in response to gordyb102

Excellent, now you are on the right track.


If you can see the iMac's hard drive, erase and format it GUID Partition Map / Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then go back to the OS X installers and see if you can install Snow Leopard.


If you can not see the iMac's hard drive, then it has failed and needs to be replaced. At that point, I would suggest recycling it and looking for a newer working iMac to give your Granddaughter for Christmas.

Dec 1, 2020 12:15 PM in response to gordyb102

A 2008 has no support due to being close to 15 years old. About the only way it can be re-setup is to include either the original DVDs that it shipped with or to buy a Snow Leopard DVD from E-bay or possibly Amazon. On a machine of that age, please take ti to your local Best Buy who will recycle it for you for free or contact Apple's recycling program.

i can not reinstall mac os from recovery mode. is there another way to get an operating system on my old imac

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