Hard drive failure

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5 points

Hard drive failure

Hi

My 2011 iMac 21.5" Intel 2.5ghz with 12GB ram, has suffered terminal hard drive failure (fortunately most of my files were saved to my NAS). I've managed to get it running again from a 32GB USB Drive but it is only runing Mountain Lion and it refuses to upgrade or install updates.

In the various safe modes I get the option to install High Sierra (this is what I had running previously). However, if I'm able to download the dmg files at all they won't run as the installer says they are corrupt.

I've bought a 256GB USB drive and I'm happy to run the mac from that but I can't get a dmg file to use. Plus this won't even install Mountain Lion.

Any suggestions.

If I have to replace it then its over to Windows... I can get 2 or 3 for the price of a new mac.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.8

Posted on Jul 4, 2023 1:21 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bill_T1

Community Specialist

Jul 6, 2023 6:34 PM in response to GaryE50

Hi GaryE50,

To begin, your Mac is capable of supporting macOS 10.13 as the maximum software (see the device requirements for macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications and macOS High Sierra - Technical Specifications as verification).

You may try creating a USB installer using the file you downloaded per the steps at Create a bootable installer for macOS and using that installer on the larger drive. You may also find the options outlined in If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS helpful.

It's also important to ensure you're downloading the software directly from Apple, via either the macOS Recovery service or the Mac App Store using the links in How to download and install macOS. Downloaded files from other sources may be corrupted, modified or not work.

Regards.

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Answer 2

GaryE50 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 6, 2023 6:34 PM in response to Bill_T1

Hi Bill_T1,

Since my original post I figured out how to get it running.

In case anyone else has the same problem and finds this post...

The key step that I missed is that you MUST use disc utility to erase the new USB (or other) drive. This is then formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then use Scheme 'GUID Partition Map'.

I was then able to use web install (cmd + alt + r) on restart to erase the USB drive.

And then this allowed me to install Mountain Lion to it.

Tip connect your Mac to the router via cable NOT WIFI, to avoid messing around with the security settings (and knocking out all the other devices connected to the wifi).

Once installed. tucked away within Mountain Lion is the link to upgrade to Sierra 10.12.6.

I still can't upgrade to High Sierra 10.13 but I can now use bootcamp and will be adding Win10 shortly as loads of programs are now unavailable to reinstall on Sierra and I'll be using Win10 on my Mac for a while to extend the life of the hardware for a few more years.

Cheers

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Answer 3

ryane77

Community Specialist

Jul 6, 2023 6:34 PM in response to GaryE50

G'day GaryE50,

Thanks for letting us know how you cleared up the issue. We appreciate it.

Have a good one.

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Hard drive failure

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