Cannot download OS X El Capitan on an old iMac

Question

Cannot download OS X El Capitan on an old iMac

I am trying to do a clean install on a 2007 iMac. It has been reformatted and shows up as OK to download to. I have a copy of the installer on a USB stick. The following is a record of what I have done.

Problem reinstalling OS X El Capitan on an old iMac

This is what I have done.

In OSX Utilities

Selected Reinstall OSX - continue

OSX El Capitan screen – continue

Message – To download and restore OS X your computer's eligibility will be verified with Apple

Continue

OSX El Capitan screen – agree to terms

Agree

Select Macintosh SSD – Install

Sign in to Apple Store – Apple ID

Signing in message

On my new iMac – message for permission – 6 digit number given

Number entered

Message – This item is temporarily unavailable.

Back to El Capitan install window.

DEAD END

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Apr 2, 2022 4:18 AM

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Answer 1

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Apr 27, 2022 5:45 PM in response to regor gnillib

Try downloading the El Capitan installer on another Mac and create a bootable installer from a usb flash drive. You will need at least 8 Gb.

How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You could download DiskMakerX to help do it also.

In the link I gave you on Macreport.com There was a part about using terminal to change the date and then use a ethernet cable to run the reinstall. Did you see that?

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Answer 2

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Apr 26, 2022 8:52 PM in response to regor gnillib

Go back to recovery and use (get help online). On the top menu type in iCloud .com and sign in with your Apple ID. You may have to inter a 6 digit code and then click on trust. When signing out click on trust again. Now you should be able to run the reinstall.

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Answer 3

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Apr 2, 2022 9:27 AM in response to regor gnillib

Do you still have a recovery volume on your iMac? If you do try installing from recovery.To find out, boot while holding the Option key down.Takes you to the startup menu where you can choose the recovery volume.

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Answer 4

my ginger

Level 5

4,928 points

Apr 4, 2022 7:11 AM in response to regor gnillib

Is this a used computer that already had El Capitan installed on it? It is possible that El Capitan is not associated with your Apple ID. You could try to go to iCloud online at www.icloud .com and sign in. Then when you sign out. Click on trust and sign out. Then try and run an install.https://macreports.com/mac-this-item-is-temporarily-unavailable-please-try-again-later-fix/

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Answer 5

Apr 4, 2022 4:29 AM in response to my ginger

If I reboot and hold down Option it comes up with the Disk Icon and Recovery 10.11.5

Hitting the arrow slowly loads the OSX Utilities window with 4 options

Restore from Time Machine Backup

Reinstall OS X

Get Help Online

Disk Utility

Selecting Reinstall brings up the window about no internet connection so set that up and select try again and continue followed by and eligibility verification - continue - then agree to license terms - select installation disk Mac SSD - sign in to App Store - verification to phone and enter code

Then it shows This item is temporarily unavailable.

Back to El Capitan drive selection window!

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Answer 6

Apr 25, 2022 9:23 AM in response to my ginger

This is my old iMac that was running El Capitan. I transferred my files to a new iMac and reformatted the SSD. It has left me with the option to use El Capitan to reinstall from the internet but I cannot achieve this.

I have tried to log in with my Apple ID on the old iMac but it just gives me the spinner.

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Answer 7

Apr 27, 2022 9:18 AM in response to my ginger

Tried that but just get the spinner and Apple Inc + padlock in the top window.

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Cannot download OS X El Capitan on an old iMac

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