I have a mac mini 1.4GHz core i5 memory 4GB that recently had Monterey installed. It is unusable with this OS, it is too slow and won't run the legacy software I need it for. I previously had Yosemite running on it and it worked well.
Mac mini, macOS 12.7
Start up from macOS Recovery
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.
In Disk Utility>View, select Show all Devices, highlight the top left entry.
APFS won't work for Sierra or earlier, Sierra or earlier needs MacOS Extended Journaled. High Sierra won't work for APFS on earlier Macs.
What has often worked for others is to use this Restore Method instead of CMD+r keys...
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.
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Yosemite is a huge downgrade and you may find that reinstalling it is quite a hassle.
I would suggest that you only step back to 10.14 Mojave, or 10.13 High Sierra. Each of these should be capable of running your legacy software, and should also be easier to acquire and reinstall via a bootable installer.
How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
Create a bootable installer - Apple Support
When the download finished, the installer app launched automatically. Mojave is not an upgrade for Monterey and therefore the error. Quit the installer that I see in your screenshot.
You'll now want to find the "Install macOS Mojave" app -should be in the Applications folder- and use that as you follow the steps for creating a bootable usb drive. With the bootable drive in hand, you'll have the tools you need to erase your drive and reinstall macOS Mojave.
Create a bootable installer - Apple Support
Yes, you will reboot the Mac while pressing the Option key. Then you will select the usb drive as the startup disk.
If I recall correctly the installer will launch and run... if not, it'll be clear that there is an installer that you'll want to launch. It's been some time since I used a bootable installer myself.
EDIT - Actually, after you've booted the mini with the installer, you'll need to launch Disk Utility and proceed to erase the internal drive before you reinstall the OS. In ** you'll need to select the internal drive device, not just a volume, and erase that. In **, click View > Show all Devices. Then select the top most drive device, usually called "Apple Media..." or something similar. Use the APFS format, the GUID partition scheme and name the drive "Macintosh HD". When ** has finished that, you should also run the First Aid routine on the internal drive. That's also a function of Disk Utility.
When the First Aid scan reports all okay, then you can quit ** and launch the Reinstall macOS Mojave application from the macOS Utilities screen of the bootable installer and proceed with reinstalling the OS.
**,
A few minutes before the download was finished I left the room, when I returned the download was finished but it is not in the download folder, on the toolbar at the bottom there is an icon of Mojave , when I hover over it this appears "Install MacOS Mojave" If I click it I get this:
**,
Ok, you are correct, the "Install macOS Mojave" icon (file) was in the applications folder.
I was unclear on how to make a bootable installer, Oh and before I forget, there is nothing on this computer I need to save, thanks. I have a new USB drive I formatted to Mac OS extended, I thought I would try the "terminal" way but after I pasted in the Mojave command and hit enter the next prompt was Password: with a tiny key icon, I am stuck now.
Terminal is asking you to input your user password. Just type it then press Enter/Return.
You password will not be displayed on the screen when you type it.
Terminal should now create the bootable drive.
**, ok I typed what i thought was my password "didn't see anything" but hit enter and it tried, it said Sorry, try again.
Password:
So I don't know what the password would be, I thought I just had the password to enter when I started Monterey, I don't recall having an administrator password. Thank you for staying with me, this is going great, I'm excited. I've also been outside shoveling as we got 11 inches of wet snow today, lots to do.
OK, that worked, it erased the volume, now copying to disk, 10%...30%... etc.
Once Terminal is done I qill quit it and eject the volume (flash drive).
With the USB (Mojave installer) in hand, should I shut down the mac mini and?
I started the mini with the option key held down and the screen that appears is all black with choices of a hard drive or the install macOS Mojave disc, and select the WiFi network. I couldn't see any way to get to disc utility other than selecting the hard drive which I did and a warning came up saying my computer is restarting because of a problem then upon restarting I got the normal startup with a prompt for my password. Do I need to start up Monterey as normal, go to disc utility, and erase?
BDAqua has provided very good guidance in their reply. If it works for you then all is well.
Getting back to the Option key startup, if you select the "Install macOS Mojave" bootable drive then when the startup is comploete you should be looking at the macOS Utilities window as in this screenshot. There you will find Disk Utility which you can launch to do the erase/format tasks, then proceed as I described earlier.
D.I. YOU DID IT! IT WORKED!
I was able to update Mojave and install an old copy of Picasa so I am in business again!
Still can't quite believe it works, I struggled with it for a week.
So soak up some of that Western sunshine while we endure some below-zero weather here this weekend with 12 inches of snow.
Many thanks again **!
**,
My bad, I meant to say Mojave, not Yosemite. Thank you for the quick reply, I will try the link you sent.
You're welcome.
Good luck. 🍀
Any thoughts on how to "find " the download or other ideas?
How to install Yosemite mac mini 1.4 GHz i5 4GB
