can't reinstall OS X Mavericks

hi few years ago I got an old iMac they guy who sold it had factory reset it but did not give me a software disk

and for years have tried to reinstall software back I have an MacBook with Apple ID. I have made progress and changed the date using utilities terminal. and connected to the internet but when I go into the OS X mavericks and put in my Apple ID what is on my MacBook it says that the Apple ID is not on iTunes but I am on iTunes with my MacBook. ive also tried a disk that I got from software repair world but that's didn't work either hopefully you guys can help thank you nat

iMac Pro (2017)

Posted on Feb 24, 2025 10:41 AM

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Feb 24, 2025 1:06 PM in response to natcrew

Can you boot into macOS normally? If so, then create a bootable macOS USB installer using the instructions in the following Apple article:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


If not, then boot the Mac using Command + Option + R which theoretically should boot into the online installer for the most recent macOS installer that is compatible with that Mac. Unfortunately some Macs may boot to the online installer for the OS which originally shipped with the Mac from the factory.....using this key combination should still work at least to bypass the need to authenticate with an AppleID for an OS you never "purchased".


Another option would be to create a bootable macOS USB installer using another compatible Mac. We would need the exact model of this Mac in order to provide all your options for which other Mac models would be acceptable. At the very least generally a Mac model 2007 - mid2018 would allow you to create a bootable macOS 10.11 or 10.13 USB installer. If this old Mac is from 2013 to 2014, then you would have more options with models from 2018-mid-2021.


You can get the exact model by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac", but if you cannot boot into macOS, then enter the system serial number on the check coverage page here (don't post the serial number on this forum since it is considered personal information):

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support


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can't reinstall OS X Mavericks

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