I have a MacBook with installed Windows. Decided to install macOS. I created a bootable USB, held the option button. It only shows me the disk with the “Windows” hard drive. Tried to reset pram, nothing. I also cant do cmd+r, because this macbook was released pre-2011, if you delete the OS,you cant use cmd r. Later I tried installing with a DVD, bought the more expensive 8 GB one, doesnt show up. Please help. Thanks.
Earlier Mac models
gustas04 wrote:
I also cant do cmd+r, because this macbook was released pre-2011, if you delete the OS,you cant use cmd r.
If it is a Late-2009 or later model and macOS 10.12.4+ was previously installed on that laptop sometime in the past, then you should have access to Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R even if the internal drive is blank since a system firmware with macOS 10.12.4+ added Internet Recovery Mode to the Late-2009+ models. I have used Internet Recovery Mode on Late-2009 and later Macs with blank internal drives so it is possible if your system meets the two requirements I mentioned earlier.
Later I tried installing with a DVD, bought the more expensive 8 GB one, doesnt show up.
If you installing macOS from DVD, then it must be OS X 10.6 or earlier since they were the only ones provided on DVD by Apple for 2010 and earlier model Macs. There are two types of OS X install DVDs.....the gray label Restoration DVDs which originally shipped with a Mac from the factory and will only work on that very specific model Mac, and the second type is the Retail Upgrade DVD installer.....usually includes the respective "cat" on the disc. If you want to install macOS 10.7+, then you need to start with OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard if installing from an OSX DVD.
Certainly not enough specific details to provide any more specific assistance other than to suggest creating a bootable macOS USB installer if you have access to another compatible Mac that can run one of the operating systems of this mysterious 2011 or earlier MacBook.
Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
You should always provide the exact model of the Mac when asking for assistance online. You can get the exact model of the Mac by entering the system number on the check coverage page here (please don't post the serial number on the forums as it is considered personal information):
Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support
Hi,
If you have another Mac, try to target disk mode for installing macOS on target disk mode Mac.
Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode – Apple Support (AU)
I dont have an another mac. Thanks for the suggestion though.
MacBook won’t recognise bootable usb and dvd.
