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OS X unable to install on your computer

I have an Imac 11,2 with the version 10.6.8 and was looking to update it. I found a forum (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8287402) and followed the steps and downloaded El Capitan, only until I tried to install it read that OS X could not be installed on your computer then below, no packages were eligible for install.


I've been searching forums but none seem to work

please help.


iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jan 18, 2021 10:02 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 10:46 AM

Try downloading a new version of the El Capitan installer provided on this web page:


How to get old versions of macOS - https://support.apple.com/HT211683 Note that some users have reported problems getting the links to actually generate a page in the Mac App Store App when used with Firefox based browsers. Try using Safari instead.

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9 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 19, 2021 10:46 AM in response to erikaeinhaus

Try downloading a new version of the El Capitan installer provided on this web page:


How to get old versions of macOS - https://support.apple.com/HT211683 Note that some users have reported problems getting the links to actually generate a page in the Mac App Store App when used with Firefox based browsers. Try using Safari instead.

Jan 19, 2021 11:28 PM in response to Limnos

When trying to quit the application a popup shows up that says "are you sure you want to quit OS X installer" then says underneath "to quit, click Choose startup disk to select a startup disk for your computer" when I click startup disk it asks me what system I want to start up this computer but no options appear to be showing.


I'm not sure this is important but I can access Utilities which consists of

  • Firmware Password Utility
  • Disk Utility
  • Terminal
  • System Information


Jan 19, 2021 6:55 PM in response to erikaeinhaus

Can you quit the installer like you would with any application?


I have also seen other reports where people find similar errors recently. Typically this message results when you use an old copy of the installer and Apple has brought out a new one, but some of these reports from others say they have downloaded a new version and it still does not work. Oddly they use the trick which worked with old installer which was to set the computer's date back to the time when the old installer was valid. You can probably find reference to that very quickly on the web.

OS X unable to install on your computer

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