I can’t update a used iMac

Hello I recently bought a used Mac. It’s from 2009 so I’m aware that it won’t be the fastest or more useful. However i do 99% of my work on my iPad and MacBook and wanted a Mac to use at home to review my school notes / anki instead of actually creating things on my Mac. This way i won’t always have to take out my materials, plug them in etc. I bought a Mac with the serial number WB***0TG and model number A1225. It’s a 24 inch 2.66Ghz. I’m trying to update the computer to El Capitan but after it downloads it just goes back to the main loading screen. I attached a GIF showing the final seconds of the supposed download and then the screen it goes back to. I also tried to Time Machine backup my MacBook then upload it to that through a TB external source but it doesn’t read it. Any tips? Did i gamble and lose $100?

[Edited by Moderator]

iMac

Posted on Mar 5, 2023 8:39 AM

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

155,810 points

Posted on Mar 5, 2023 8:04 PM

If that iMac is really a 2009 model it cannot use Internet Recovery: Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery - Apple Support, so I don't know how you are getting to that El Capitan installation step. If you obtained it via download, there are a couple reasons upgrading it in that manner — probably — will not work.

The correct way to fix that Mac will require booting from its original, grey, System Install DVD to erase its internal storage and subsequently configure it for use. Assuming it was not included with that Mac, you can purchase a retail, white, Mac OS X Snow Leopard DVD.

Apple no longer sells them, but they are available on the used market. That disc will go by that exact name. Prices are not unreasonable. Not a major show-stopper, but caveat emptor as always. If in doubt of what to buy, come back here and ask.

Once you get that disc please write back if you need help, but the essential steps are to boot from it, use its version of Disk Utility to completely erase the internal startup disk, install Snow Leopard, update it (which will result in it having OS X version 10.6.8 which includes the App Store app), and finally upgrade it to El Cap.

Let us know if you need more detailed assistance than that.

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I can’t update a used iMac

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