I uninstalled operating system on 2010 MacBook Air. The auto reinstall process fails using Command R or Alt Command R

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Level 1

8 points

I uninstalled operating system on 2010 MacBook Air. The auto reinstall process fails using Command R or Alt Command R

I downloaded .dmg file, but no matter what I do the MacBook will not reload operating system from USB .dmg. I can get on Safari, but dang, I can not find a direct link. Why is it so hard to just download an operating system? There must be a way. Apple support is all riddles and point to .dmg files. I am frustrated. I have no other MACS, but can download files to USB by PC that the MacBook Air can see.

Posted on Jan 14, 2021 6:14 AM

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Answer 1

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Jan 14, 2021 6:15 PM in response to jasykas

Well, you've got a couple of problems:

One is that the device is tied to your daughter's Apple ID and password unless she followed all of the instructions here:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065

Without following all of those steps, the device is registered to her Apple ID and you can't do a thing about it unless you have proof that it now belongs to you and can show a purchase receipt.

Second problem: if that is a late 2010, it originally came with OS 10.6.4 - Snow Leopard - which is not available via download. It can run up to 10.13.6 (High Sierra), but unless the firmware had been updated for recovery, you won't be able to use that either. That may be the problem with trying to use recovery.

Can you tell us exactly what happens when you try recovery? Is there an error message or ??

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Answer 2

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Jan 15, 2021 9:36 AM in response to jasykas

Reinstalling by itself does not solve the problem. The device is still tied to the original Apple ID. She can follow these instructions

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201354

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201487

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

103,009 points

Jan 15, 2021 2:09 AM in response to jasykas

Have to agree with my learned member @ babowa. Without knowing the Apple ID and password the computer is tied registered to..

Another question if you please - the Apple ID and password used to Log Into this Support Community - where does it come from ? Was it created after the problem with the MacBookAir or was it given to you by daughter ? If from daughter, this might be her Apple ID and password ?

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Answer 4

jasykas Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 14, 2021 3:42 PM in response to Owl-53

I have no idea of operating system. It was my daughter's. I did not know password nor Apple ID and wanted a fresh system. I Uninstaller and it keeps going to internet loading a system that fails. I was told if it was pre 2011, that Apple is just playing with my head trying to download automatically, so I looked up an operating system and downloaded that file to usb. Why Apple can not figure out how to download the right system. I am clueless. I have the original box, but nothing on that tells me the operating system. So this is where I am

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Answer 5

jasykas Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 15, 2021 9:06 AM in response to babowa

My daughter had not used this for about 6 years and had no idea what her password was. I have original box part MC969LL/A Model A1370. I have serial #. Put in box, it looks like new. When I start in repair, it goes to the internet, tries to download the operating system Mac OS X Lion, downloads it fine then fails to install. It will not give any option of any other operating system. I can use the internet Safari but ther is no link to the proper download.

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Answer 6

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Jan 15, 2021 11:10 AM in response to jasykas

If it tried to install OS Lion before, then that should work. After Lion is installed, you can upgrade to the latest version available. But...... we need to get past the initial problems.

So, yes, it should work (note the cautionary "should").

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Answer 7

Owl-53

Level 10

103,009 points

Jan 15, 2021 1:35 PM in response to babowa

@ babowa - in an earlier posting, the owner of this thread has identified the Apple ID and password used to access these forums is the daughters' Apple ID and password - so half way there to resolving their issue.

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