Mavericks Bootable USB not working on 2009 MacBook?

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Mavericks Bootable USB not working on 2009 MacBook?

Trying to do a clean install of Mavericks on a 2009 plastic body MacBook. I have a bootable usb install drive created on an aluminum body MacBook running newest version of Mavericks.

When I try to boot the 2009 macbook with the usb drive it just gives me a prohibited or forbidden sign for a little while and then shuts down. Not sure what the problem is considering the macbook should be meeting all the system requirements and I've used the installer on another computer already.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jan 5, 2014 11:34 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 5, 2014 12:09 PM in response to latinclub

Did you use these instructions to build the USB drive?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5856

If you are using a flash 'thumb' drive I have had problems with some types, they would boot on some computers but not others, try a different maker.

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Answer 2

Jan 5, 2014 12:15 PM in response to rack0 tack0

It would be worth checking the model ID to make sure it is supported.

See

http://www.everymac.com/mac-answers/os-x-10.9-mavericks-faq/os-x-mavericks-compa tible-macs-system-requirements.html

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Answer 3

latinclub Author

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Jan 5, 2014 12:22 PM in response to rack0 tack0

Yeah it looks like that the MacBook isn't supported. Its Model Identifier is MacBook4,1 and that doesn't seem to be listed.

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Answer 4

Jan 5, 2014 12:29 PM in response to latinclub

You could try a few searches to make sure that info is correct but I think it will be.

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Answer 5

latinclub Author

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Jan 5, 2014 12:38 PM in response to rack0 tack0

Yeah, it looks like that it is indeed the case. Sounds like a problem with the older processor or graphics card maybe. At any rate, looks like it won't be upgrading.

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Answer 6

Jan 5, 2014 12:46 PM in response to latinclub

Still a good machine, perhaps worth upgrading to 10.6 if your applications/peripherals are supported.

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Answer 7

Jan 5, 2014 2:00 PM in response to latinclub

It's mainly the video card. The Models 2,1 through 4,1 have video cards with non-upgradeable 32bit drivers. The model 5,1 Late 2008 and newer have at least the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 64bit drivers. Mountain Lion and Mavericks require 64bit native drivers. Mountain Lion and Mavericks no longer support Intel's GMA 950 or GMA X3100 graphics processors.

While Lion used some 32 bit and a lot of 64 bit code, Mountain Lion and Mavericks are pure 64 bit, which excludes more systems than Lion did. It's not something you can add memory to, for example, as it involves the base architecture.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57470261-263/older-64-bit-macs-out-of-the-p icture-for-mountain-lion/?tag=mncol;txt

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57387846-263/will-your-mac-run-mountain-lio n/

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