Not sure if this is the right forum... my iMac (with bluetooth mouse and KB) was "formatted" and has no recovery software or OS...so now I'm trying to salvage the machine by installing Linux but have no clue what I'm doing.
Is this even possible?
iMac, macOS 10.12
If you want to install Linux to the iMac, then I recommend using Linux Mint as it is easy to install and just works with Macs (according to a co-worker). There are things I don't like about how Linux Mint does things, but it is a good option for someone new and learning Linux and I do like how the Linux Mint team is trying to fix things Ubuntu has been changing. Ubuntu is another option, but the default Ubuntu tends to require a more powerful system with more resources so it is better to use one of the Ubuntu flavors such as Kubuntu and Ubuntu MATE. Linux Mint is made from Ubuntu and Ubuntu is made from Debian so a lot of what you learn can be used with the other distributions (you just need to know the slight differences if you move between them).
You can create a bootable Linux USB installer by using the downloaded Linux installer .iso file as a source for Etcher (Mac/Windows/Linux). Then Option Boot the iMac and select the orange icon labeled "EFI".
Linux is a great way to extend the useful life of older computers especially when you are restricted to only running macOS 10.11 which is very outdated today.
If you want to install Linux to the iMac, then I recommend using Linux Mint as it is easy to install and just works with Macs (according to a co-worker). There are things I don't like about how Linux Mint does things, but it is a good option for someone new and learning Linux and I do like how the Linux Mint team is trying to fix things Ubuntu has been changing. Ubuntu is another option, but the default Ubuntu tends to require a more powerful system with more resources so it is better to use one of the Ubuntu flavors such as Kubuntu and Ubuntu MATE. Linux Mint is made from Ubuntu and Ubuntu is made from Debian so a lot of what you learn can be used with the other distributions (you just need to know the slight differences if you move between them).
You can create a bootable Linux USB installer by using the downloaded Linux installer .iso file as a source for Etcher (Mac/Windows/Linux). Then Option Boot the iMac and select the orange icon labeled "EFI".
Linux is a great way to extend the useful life of older computers especially when you are restricted to only running macOS 10.11 which is very outdated today.
Sure. Pick the distro(s) you want to try, burn a Live DVD for each, try them out, and follow the Linux installer for the one you want to install.
Or if you have access to another 2007-2015 mac you could create a bootable USB installer for El Captan.
Here are some solutions to resolve the issue.
Here is a resource that may help with finding the latest compatible version of macOS for your Mac.
I'll try the El Capitan solution first and see how far that takes me.
much obliged
going to try the bootable USB first... see how that pans out.
much obliged.
Linux and my old 2009 iMac
