Can't install up-to-date OS X after factory reset?
I have a MacBook Air (2013) that was previously running a fairly recent version of OS X (can't remember which one, sorry). I then did a factory reset; I erased all the data, did 'first aid' in the utilities on all the disk/drive thingies, and then reinstalled the operating system.
For some reason it has installed Mountain Lion. I would like to update to Big Sur, which should still be compatible with my hardware (according to this page) but, though Safari loads Google searches, when I try to access any Apple pages to download more recent software, Safari can't connect to the web page.
I tried to download an interim software between Mountain Lion and Big Sur through the app store (again, can't remember which one, sorry!) but the download failed.
Why did my comp automatically load Mountain Lion instead of Big Sur?
Why can't I access webpages through Safari on Mountain Lion?
How can I upgrade the operating system?
Many thanks for all help and advice!
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15