Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

reinstall Mountain Lion on 13" macbook pro retina

hi! i am trying to reinstall mountain lion on my new 13" macbook pro retina, however, i cannot proceed and i encounter the message "We could not complete your purchase. OS X Mountain Lion is not compatible with this computer." please help!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Nov 25, 2012 2:45 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Nov 25, 2012 2:46 AM

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities


Mountain Lion is preinstalled on your computer. To reinstall, use Internet Recovery because your computer needs a special OS X version that it's not available in the Mac App Store

14 replies

Nov 25, 2012 2:50 AM in response to roseo7

Are you trying to restore to factory settings? If so, use the Internet Recovery method - hold down the Command, option, and R keys whilst booting. Use Disk Utility to erase the flash drive, formatted as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with a single GUID partition.


Then reinstall the version of OS X that shipped with your computer. Make sure that you have a good Internet connection before attempting - wired Ethernet is best, but if you don't have the Thunderbolt>Ethernet adapter you can use wireless... it will just be slower.


Clinton

Nov 25, 2012 2:59 AM in response to roseo7

Your computer shipped with a special build that is currently not available from the Mac app store to reinstall OS X. That's why you're getting that error. Apple is aware of the issue & working on an update. You will not be able to reinstall until this update is released. You can call AppleCare...they are aware of the issue & may replace your computer.

Jan 27, 2013 6:02 AM in response to Paulvand

I've called Apple Care and they learned me to the following in order to complete a clean install from Mountain Lion on a MacBook Pro Retina (otherwise it won't work): http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11273


But, like Clinton said, shouldn't your rMBP come with Moutain Lion on it? And if so, why can't you upgrade to 10.8.2 because I could (with software update) - but my problem was to clean reinstall ML on it from the App Store (that you stil can't do with a rMBP btw).


And a small question off-topic: How long is your (average) shutdown time on your rMBP 13"?

Jan 27, 2013 7:04 AM in response to Paulvand

So you've got the rMBP preinstalled with Mountain Lion and you have 10.8.2 on it now. Why do you want to buy/download Lion in the App Store? Or do you mean Mountain Lion?


If you want Mountain Lion as a backup you do not need to download it from the app store (that is not possible at the moment for users with a rMBP because we have a different version from 10.8.2 than all the other Macs). When you want to do a (clean) reinstall you just follow the steps fromt the link I've posted earlier.


Thank you btw, for your answer about the shutdown time.

reinstall Mountain Lion on 13" macbook pro retina

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.