System installed a very old version of Mac OS when I have reset it using disk utility

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System installed a very old version of Mac OS when I have reset it using disk utility

System installed a very old version of Mac OS when I have reset it using disk utility. Earlier it was on Mac OS Catalina and surprisingly it has installed OS X 10.9.5. When checked for updates, it has installed some safari and some updates related to 2016 but it is not identifying any of the latest OS.

System has lot of memory left and it is a 256GB storage MacBook Pro.

Any help on updating OS would be appreciated.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 2, 2021 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

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Limnos

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Feb 2, 2021 3:17 PM in response to rkpadarthi

Do as Niel says but which buttons you hold down for Recovery determines which OS is installed. Read this link

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery

https://support.apple.com/HT204904

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Answer 2

Niel

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Feb 2, 2021 3:15 PM in response to rkpadarthi

Back up your data, check your applications for compatibility, and download Catalina through the link provided.

(191571)

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Answer 3

Feb 2, 2021 7:41 PM in response to rkpadarthi

Could not create a preboot volume for APFS install. - https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/79542

"Format the drive first to apfs

1.Power down the mac.

2.hold the Option-Command-R and power button.

3.a world logo will show and start loading.

4.reinstall mac os in recovery."

Or use a bootable USB installer - https://support.apple.com/HT201372

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Answer 4

rkpadarthi Author

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Feb 2, 2021 3:24 PM in response to Niel

Hi Niel,

Thank you for the quick response.

When I clicked on the link given by you, it is asking for Apple ID. Can I not install BigSur without an Apple ID ? Reason for this question is I am using a different MacBook Pro and I do not want 2 MacBooks being shown under my user id.

However when I earlier ran disk utility, it did not ask for an Apple ID to install OS but this time when I ran disk utility, it acted weird at first and gave a message as "Could not create a preboot volume for APFS install" and in later attempts It has installed this older version.

Regards,

Rajanikanth.

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Answer 5

rkpadarthi Author

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Feb 2, 2021 3:37 PM in response to Niel

Hi Neil,

As a continuation to my earlier response, my first MacBook Pro is on Catalina and the reset one is on older version. When tried downloading OS link given by you, it is prompting for an user id.

My question was under one user id, can I have 2 MacBooks at 2 different OS versions.

I prefer the second one not to be tagged to my user id though. Is there any work around for this.

BR

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System installed a very old version of Mac OS when I have reset it using disk utility

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