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Macbook Pro 2011 OS X Lion no recovery AFTER ERASING

So I have followed the step on the apple support site, but I have come to reinstall the OS on my macbook and it doesn't work. At first it wouldn't install the high sierra because it could install a pre boot. Now i have used the option to install the original Lion OS but this hasn't worked either. At first it couldn't get past the download additional content it would say error, now during installation I get the message INSTALL FAILED - Mac OS X could not be installed on the disc Macintosh HD because a recovery system can't be created.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jan 16, 2022 9:17 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 16, 2022 9:26 AM

L33ee wrote:

So I have followed the step on the apple support site, but I have come to reinstall the OS on my macbook and it doesn't work. At first it wouldn't install the high sierra because it could install a pre boot. Now i have used the option to install the original Lion OS but this hasn't worked either. At first it couldn't get past the download additional content it would say error, now during installation I get the message INSTALL FAILED - Mac OS X could not be installed on the disc Macintosh HD because a recovery system can't be created.



Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

  • On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. If you use Option-Command-R during startup, in most cases you're offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Otherwise you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
  • If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you might be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. If you just erased your entire startup disk, you might be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. 

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:





How to reinstall macOS

Recovery (both M1 and Intel) — https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904


Similar questions

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 16, 2022 9:26 AM in response to L33ee

L33ee wrote:

So I have followed the step on the apple support site, but I have come to reinstall the OS on my macbook and it doesn't work. At first it wouldn't install the high sierra because it could install a pre boot. Now i have used the option to install the original Lion OS but this hasn't worked either. At first it couldn't get past the download additional content it would say error, now during installation I get the message INSTALL FAILED - Mac OS X could not be installed on the disc Macintosh HD because a recovery system can't be created.



Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

  • On an Intel-based Mac, if you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. If you use Option-Command-R during startup, in most cases you're offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Otherwise you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
  • If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you might be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. If you just erased your entire startup disk, you might be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. 

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:





How to reinstall macOS

Recovery (both M1 and Intel) — https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904


Jan 16, 2022 9:37 AM in response to L33ee

L33ee wrote:

Unfortunately I have tried these steps but my new macbook isn't compatible so I can not download the software from there.



Call Customer Support  (800) MYAPPLE (800–692–7753)


or on line  https://getsupport.apple.com/



Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

Macbook Pro 2011 OS X Lion no recovery AFTER ERASING

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