Help: how to reinstall OS X Yosemite on iMac early 2009

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Level 1

5 points

Help: how to reinstall OS X Yosemite on iMac early 2009

Hello, I am an iMac 24" early 2009 which I would like to give away. In order to give away the iMac I have used Disk Utility to erase my Mac. Now I would like to reinstall OX X Yosemite. The iMac starts up and shows OS X Utilities, with option Reinstall OS X. It shows next screen 'to set-up the installation of OX X 10.10, click continue'. Next the eligibility will be verified with Apple. Continue. It show the license agreement. Agree. Select the disk where you want to install OS X. It shows 2 disks:

Mac HD
Recovery HD - which I can't select as size is too small

I select Mac HD. Install. Next it asks to sign in to the App Store. I enter my Apple ID / Password. Next message: "This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

I have tried many times at different times / days, but always this message.

Please help how to reinstall OS X Yosemite on my iMac!

Thank you!!!!

Posted on Nov 21, 2021 11:35 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

731,813 points

Nov 21, 2021 3:08 PM in response to wfpp

1. The licensing terms. This isn't a factor while you own the computer, but versions gotten through the Mac App Store aren't transferable.

2. Check sources such as eBay, or use the computer's original disks, or tell the new owner to create an El Capitan installation thumbdrive.

(208419)

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Answer 2

MJB-24

Level 1

13 points

Dec 14, 2021 8:55 PM in response to wfpp

Did you manage to sort out your MAC? I had a similar problem. I found if your trying to use the online setup it does not work. I had a MacBook pro & was trying to reinstall OSX Lion. I had to download from apple website Yosemite & make a bootable drive using disc utility. I did this by watching youtube videos - search for CPU How to clean install Mac OSX using a usb flash drive

If you manage to successfully do this plug the USB Drive in to your MAC press & hold Option while switching on until you see the choice of drives, chose USB & follow the screen prompts. If that does not work then try making El Capitan USB Drive & Option Power on. Good luck I had to try & try but I got there in the end. BTW if you want to install up to High Sierra then install El Capitan first then High Sierra next all by downloading each one then making USB drives.

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Answer 3

Niel

Level 10

731,813 points

Nov 21, 2021 11:43 AM in response to wfpp

You can't install that version on a 2009 Mac you're going to give away. Use a Mac OS X install DVD instead.

(208414)

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Answer 4

wfpp Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 21, 2021 11:55 AM in response to Niel

Thank you for your reply. Why can't I install this version on a 2009 Mac? It was the version running on the Mac prior to erasing using the Disk Utility. How / where to get a Mac OS install DVD?

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Answer 5

wfpp Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 22, 2021 1:03 PM in response to Niel

thank you for your reply. I will look create/buy an installation thumb drive

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Answer 6

wfpp Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2021 12:14 PM in response to MJB-24

Hello, thank you for your reply. Yes, I sorted out the MAC. In the end I bought USB with OS X Yosemite which enabled me to install the operating system as I did not manage to create the USB myself.

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Help: how to reinstall OS X Yosemite on iMac early 2009

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