christian albanese
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: mavericks refuses to install on my macbook pro retina

I have purchesed a new macbook pro with retina display (late 2013) that came with Mavericks pre installed.

 

Now when I try to boot from a USB Key with OS X 10.9.1 installer on it my mac refuses to boot from the USB Key. If I double clic the installer icon there's a message saying that "OS X Mavericks cannot be installed on this computer."(!?)

 

Even when I try to download it from the app store I receive the same message.

 

What can I do?

 

Thanks for any help.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), OS X 10.9.1 won't install on MBPR

Posted on Feb 15, 2014 7:32 AM

by babowa,Solvedanswer
babowa babowa
Level 7 (32,357 points)
iPad
A:

Because the MBA is older and you got the OS from the app store vs. the Retina which came with a factory installed OS which, by the way, is only for that machine (and so is the license for it).

Posted on Feb 15, 2014 2:24 PM

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christian albanese

Q: mavericks refuses to install on my macbook pro retina

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  • Helpful answers

  • by QuickTimeKirk,

    QuickTimeKirk QuickTimeKirk Feb 15, 2014 7:55 AM in response to christian albanese
    Level 9 (53,306 points)
    Feb 15, 2014 7:55 AM in response to christian albanese

    You can't boot from the installer.

    Since you already have Mavericks installed why to you want to install it again?

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Feb 15, 2014 8:13 AM in response to christian albanese
    Level 7 (32,357 points)
    iPad
    Feb 15, 2014 8:13 AM in response to christian albanese

    The only way for a brand new machine to reinstall is to use recovery (hold down Command + R keys while restarting/rebooting; the version on your USB stick is from another build, so your machine can't use it as it has its own special build.

  • by christian albanese,

    christian albanese christian albanese Feb 15, 2014 12:27 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 15, 2014 12:27 PM in response to babowa

    The hole point of this's the fact that I allways boot from a USB Key with the latest OS X installer, made by terminal's command "createinstallmedia", everytime I want to run the "repair permition" from disk utility.

     

    Anothrer reason I keep this USB Key up to date with the latest OS X on it is that I can allways have an install/recovery dongle right from the hat. That's good when the ssd drive just dies on you without any notice and you end up with no recovery disk, it happend with my Macbook air.

     

    Besides when I open the startup disk app it shows the usb key as an option for booting with 10.9.1. But when the machine restarts it shows the "? folder" as if there was no system available.

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa Feb 15, 2014 12:51 PM in response to christian albanese
    Level 7 (32,357 points)
    iPad
    Feb 15, 2014 12:51 PM in response to christian albanese

    I understand your reasoning;however, this is what Apple has apparently decided, so there isn't anything we can do about it. When Lion first was introduced, you were able to download the installer and then save a copy of it somewhere. This is no longer possible now with the new Macs/new OS - when you invoke recovery and download the OS, there is no way to save that installer as the download/install sequence is one process now and there is no way to save the installer as it deletes itself after the install.

     

    Aside from that issue, new Macs have not been able to use the app store or software update version on thei Macs because of their special builds until one or two updates later when the updates "caught up" with the new Mac's OS build version.

     

    As you can see here, a Mac might have come with different OS versions as well as different builds of the same version:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159

     

    Personally, I've decided to keep a "fresh install" bootable clone as an emergency measure (which I do not update purposely so it remains "factory fresh") in addition to my regular clones which are updated regularly. That eliminates the need for a download in order to reinstall.

  • by christian albanese,

    christian albanese christian albanese Feb 15, 2014 1:24 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 15, 2014 1:24 PM in response to babowa

    Now I see... The installer I downloaded came from my MBAir. But why oh why I still can download the installer from the MBAir but wont be able with the Retina? Just because one's buid in 2009 and the other 2013?

     

    And thanks for sharing you backup plan, I think I'll go like that from now on.

     

    Regards,

    CA

  • by babowa,Solvedanswer

    babowa babowa Feb 15, 2014 2:24 PM in response to christian albanese
    Level 7 (32,357 points)
    iPad
    Feb 15, 2014 2:24 PM in response to christian albanese

    Because the MBA is older and you got the OS from the app store vs. the Retina which came with a factory installed OS which, by the way, is only for that machine (and so is the license for it).