How do I Install Mac OS on MacBook without any current OS

Jelle_- wrote:

oh yes, I have a 2009 a1342 unibody macbook

ahh, missed your post.

In that case, the easiest method will likely be finding an install DVD for Lion or an install USB for Mountain Lion to install on the Mac, after that you can update to High Sierra through the Mac App Store App.

If you can get someone you know with a Mac to download Sierra or older from the links here in the support document below, they can make the USB installer.

You could also use a 3rd party app on a Windows PC to create the installer for an older macOs version that can be downloaded directly through a web browser. Sierra and older macOS versions can be downloaded directly from the link below.

click here ➜ How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

You can use a tool like TransMac to create the installer on a Windows PC. Its a paid application but has a 15 day free trial you can use just for this before it expires.

https://gist.github.com/advixity/16fb1e940ff8469f64cc944844af1375

You get your hands on another Mac that can run an OS the MacBook can run, and then you create a bootable installer using the Apple guidance found here: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Tell us exactly what model and year this MacBook is and we can tell you the range of Mac OS versions it can run and what other Macs you might use to create the installer.

Depending on exactly how old this Mac is, you may e able to boost from Internet Recovery and install macOs that way.

click here ➜ How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Internet Recovery is located in a special storage chip off of the hard drive. so should work even if the install drive is empty or not present.

Jelle_- wrote:

I do not have another mac, could i run a VM running MacOS to make an installer?

Possibly. I don't know, but i doubt it. At the very least it would likely require you to be running a version of macOS that the laptop can run.

You can try to reinstall macOS from internet recovery. Success will depend on several things including having a good internet connection.

• If you used Option-Command-R to start up from Internet Recovery, you might get the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. 
• If you used Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from Internet Recovery, you might get the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. 

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

We still do not know exactly which MacBook you have.

Please tell us what model and year.

If you don't know, you can input the serial number found on the bottom of the computer into the search field here:

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/products?locale=en_US

(don't include your serial number in any posts here)

Knowing which Mac you have can help us help you find a macOS solution.

That would be a MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) 👍🏽

That's helpful information.

The Mac OS range that Mac can run is this:

Original - Mac OS X 10.6.1 (10A2047)

Maximum - macOS 10.13.6 (17G65)

It can run Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite, El Capitan, Sierra and High Sierra.

If you can get your hands on, or know someone who has, a Mac released between 2009-2018 then you can use that Mac to create your USB installer.

Because there is currently no OS on the MacBook, if it does not boot into recovery, then your options are limited. Most will require the use of another Mac that can run one of those macOS versions.

As I see it, these are your options:

• Find an original Apple retail released Mac OS X Snow Leopard install CD. It would be a start, but it won't get you connected to the internet to download any newer OS to create a USB installer.

• Use another Mac to create a USB installer. You must use a Mac that can run the OS you intend to build the installer for. You cannot use a Windows PC.

• Use another Mac of the era and install the OS directly to the hdd you intend to install, while it is still outside the MacBook. You can connect the drive to another Mac by means of a drive adapter cable or an external enclosure. Then install the drive into the MacBook.

• Use another Mac to connect by Ethernet or USB cable to this MacBook, booted in target disk mode. In this mode the MacBook will appear as an external drive to the other Mac and can then have an OS installed.

You're working with a very obsolete Mac, my friend. Even if you do manage to get 10.13 High Sierra installed, which is what you should be aiming for, you'll still be running a Mac with severe limitations and usefulness.