When trying to reinstall Lion OS on new mid 2011 Macbook Air, error msg 'This version of Mac OS X 10.7 cannot be installed on this computer' comes up. What should I do to reinstall?

The new MacBook Air's ship with a special build of Lion, to get support for the new hardware in the OS (11A2063), pre-merge. The network install must be trying to apply the standard rlse build, which is why it would complain that it's not installable. But why the procedure isn't downloading the correct build for the new hardware is anyone's guess... 😟

So is the installed version of Lion different to the app store version you download and the latter not compatible with your MBA? Seems very strange.

Or is it a case of trying to install the app store version of Lion on top of your installed version of Lion?

Have you tried to do a clean erase and install? If you've got a USB disk drive it's easy enough to find the .dmg in the Lion installer and create a DVD.

Assuming you can still boot into your MBA I would also make a clone of your SSD to fall back on (using CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper!) assuming you've got a usb HDD.

Have you tried booting up while holding down the Option key? My understanding is that if Lion came preinstalled on your Air, as it did on mine, it is kept in a special partition on your hard drive. Boot up holding down Option and you should boot into the Lion `'disc" that came with your computer. I believe you can also repair your disk this way if it should need it.

You cannot install the version of Lion from the Mac App Store on new MacBook Airs or Minis released in July 2011. If you want to reinstall Lion on these you need to use Internet Recovery mode. In order to access that you have to have a blank SDD that is new and never used. If Recovery HD exists then you have other problems.

Want to force Lion Internet Recovery on a 2011 Air or Mini? Simply hold Command+Option+R while starting your Mac.

I believe Chas is correct. For some reason, some of the 2011 macbook air are having issue retrieving the lion build 11A2063. I can see in the log "Couldn't find app store version, falling back to hardcoded 1.1.1". AppleCare support told me that they'll send out a thumb drive installer of Lion which in the first place Apple should have included in the package!!! I have to wait 3-5 days for it to arrive 😟

That is really interesting I wish they would hurry up and upload the correct version to the apple servers so people can do this over the net.

I would like to repeat this for anyone who reads this thread:

"You cannot install the version of Lion from the Mac App Store"

There is a special build of Lion installed on the new MBAs, which stop you from installing the App Store version. This is not possible and Internet restore / instore recovery is the only way at present.

I hope Apple release a version soon that can be used from USB, theres no way this easy restore will work but I guess they are trying to cut down on external media.

I'd like more information about this, since AppleCare just told a friend of mine that no USB stick or media was available at this time. So we are quite puzzled that they offered to send you one.

Everyone get a look at this article:

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=16339

Looks like Apple are now shipping FREE USB sticks for some customers. I am going to try this now so will update you all as soon as I have finished the phone call with support.

Just been on the phone to Apple, the Lion keys that they have released two [2] days ago won't work on these new MBA's because of the build difference as they are trying to make recovery media free!

However, I have been informed that the USB boot can now be made with the new version once the recovery tool set has been downloaded [Build 11A2063] and I am expecting a personal call tomorrow with guides!

If it works I will make an install pack for everyone so keep your eyes on this thread!

@idroid84, let us know once you have it 🙂 thanks!

I can't wait for 3-5 days! I got 4 days starting tomorrow free and I want to setup my MBA already.

With regards to your message:

"You cannot install the version of Lion from the Mac App Store"

I actually am using the Internet Recovery in my MBA 2011 and the log that I place in my previous post came from the Internet Recovery. I hope Apple will get this fixed ASAP!

i try to download lion in new macbook air 2011 from internet recovery

i have error : apple.com/support -1006F

plz help

I have some rather interesting info, when using the Internet recovery.... it deletes the restore image InstallESD.dmg. I have looked for the links from the logs where it pulls it from, I found a link but can't download the dmg file because it must be using some secure file transfer protocol to pull the image down.

My macbook is now restored but took 7 hours in total to download the 4GB image. I am awaiting a phone call from Apple Support with how to make a USB boot. I will be asking about offline restores. I will update everyone with any info I find.

OK, I have spoke to a member of the Apple Support. They appologised about the restore taking so long to restore and they have asked if everyone could fill out a feedback regards to the restore on and how they feel and if they require any new functions.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

This is to allow the team to sort out an offline image, however I have also been informed that a Time Machine backup does MAC OS X restores from partitions / files so I suggest people use TM for now.

There is currently no solution to give their users the OS or if there will be even a USB feature in the future.

I hope this helps people who ask about creating a restore offline.

good to hear that your MBA is restored. In my case, still the same error when I tried just now. I guess I have to wait for the offline image tht they promised me. I'll call them tomorrow to follow-up.