Q: Can't install OSX 10.9.1 on new iMac 27" late 2013 model.

Do you have OSX 10.9?

Then you should give AppleCare a call, you have 90 days of free telephone support. You can locate the number in your country by clicking AppleCare Contact Info.

They will help you debug what the problem is. 

This is a brand new iMac? That is to be expected as the build/version on your Mac is most likely newer than the public build available currently. It usually takes a couple of builds/updates before things catch up and your installed version is "older" than the latest update available. Just run Software Update - it will show an update when there is one that'll work on yours.

Sorry babowa, i dont agree with that.

Just because its a new mac, does not mean you are a number of updates ahead.

Thats impossible!!

You will either be lucky and have the very latest update, or you will be at least one behind.

I got mine direct from apple, about the same time mavericks had been released. But i had to update to mavericks.

Or have i misunderstood your reply?

If i have, i appoligise.

Just because its a new mac, does not mean you are a number of updates ahead.

 

Thats impossible!!

No, it is not. I can't prove it to you since a) I don't work for Apple so do not have the appropriate records and b) do not have a brand new Mac with an OS build number ahead of what has been publicly released where I could post screen shots.

I got mine direct from apple, about the same time mavericks had been released. But i had to update to mavericks.

 

 

That is because Macs are manufactured at a certain time and include a certain build OS; once a new OS is announced, they are not updated, but sold with whatever OS version was on it originally. In general, if it is manufactured after the OS is announced and made available, then they'll include the new version. Some will include a special OS version which cannot be updated via the regular method until a second regular update.

Here is a list of builds:

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

See the post by Actionmarker here:

https://discussions.apple.com/message/23669202#23669202

Youc an do a search here; there are others.

I think you are confusing your build numbers with your actual osx updates.

Ive looked at your links and they prove nothing.

The late 2013 imac 21.5 for instance, was running 10.8.4 when built before mavericks, then the later batches had 10.9 when 10.9 was released.

You quoted in your first post that you may have lets say, 10.9.1 when everybody else in the world has 10.8.4.

This would not happen.

I think 'actionmaker' stated he may have a newer version than what is currently available, but i believe he meant, he has the most up to date version already available.

You quoted in your first post that you may have lets say, 10.9.1 when everybody else in the world has 10.8.4.

I did not (implied or otherwise). I was referring to builds as there can be several builds all pertaining to one OS version.

I am done here.

"it usually takes a couple of builds/updates before things catch up and your installed version is "older" than the latest update available".

Was your exact quote.

im not trying to cause a problem.

babowa is correct. You don't understand what is meant by build numbers. Many times new machines that ship near the release of OS X updates have different build numbers than the generally released update. In which case, that machine won't be able to use the generally related update.

And why are you arguing with the guy? He clearly knows more about it than you and is only trying to help.

Example:

Will a new machine of today have 10.9.3 or 10.9.4?

if so, i am wrong, if not, that is all i was trying to say.

there will be many people on here who know more than me, but dont let peoples level and points cloud your judgment of peoples knowledge.

I will stop replying now as im obviously coming across as argumentitive.

No, but a new machine could have 10.9.2 with a build 13C70. A different build than 13C64.

Will a new machine of today have 10.9.3 or 10.9.4?

Those are OS version numbers, not builds. 13C64 is the current build number of 10.9.2. As Lanny pointed out, a brand new Mac being sold next month may still come with 10.9.2, but have a later build such as 13C70; if so, it can't install 13C64 since Macs cannot boot from any version/build older than what they came with. If that person would need to reinstall the OS, they cannot download the currently offered 13C64 build at the app store - they would have to use Recovery to download a specific build for their machine. Usually, those machines "catch up" after an OS update is made available (such as 10.9.3 or an updated build) as that will have a newer build than what they came with.

there will be many people on here who know more than me, but dont let peoples level and points cloud your judgment of peoples knowledge.

That has nothing to do with the issue here at all.