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Level 2

483 points

This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error

After my macbook pro had become really slow the past days, I decided to reset the system, following the usual steps:

1. Press alt+power button

2. Choose Utilities --> erase Macintosh HD (or in my case, it was called macbook pro)

3. Reinstall the Mountain Lion OS X through internet.

However, after trying to install the OS X, and entering an apple id (my brother's, since his id worked - probably because he used his id when installing the OS X on this computer the first time), an error message pops up, saying:

"This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later"

I don't know what to do, since I have tried redoing these steps on multiple occasions this day, and with two different networks. Unfortunately, I don't have the original installation dvd:s, so I have to install the OS through internet (or if it is possible, by downloading the OS to an external hard drive, and then installing through that).

Anyways, my macbook pro is bought in the mid 2010's, maybe that information can help? I don't know what the last OS X update I used was...

[Re-Titled by Host]

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 18, 2014 3:20 PM

Best reply

Cali-Z

Level 1

5 points

Posted on Mar 12, 2016 9:59 PM

This same thing happened to me, "This item is temporarily unavailable. Try again later."

I must have tried 20 times, before I figured out that it was not the Apple servers. (had to google it)

However here are the differences:

1. I bought the MacBook Pro from a pawn shop, so I have NO clue as to the original owner or their Apple ID/password.

Image my surprise when I found this little tidbit of Apple ID horror!

2. I ONLY have ONE MacBook, not two, which is what EVERY response expects/assumes you to have.

A little explanation, I purchased this MacBook Pro and wanted to update to the new El Capitain OS 10.11 version,

but I did not have enough room on my HD for it, because the previous owner had a lot of trash, junk files, downloads, pictures, email, etc cluttering up space, which of course I didn't want, nor did I ever need. Likewise, I certainly didn't want his name referencing MY new laptop or pathways, directories, and so on etc, etc, etc.

SO I'm like, wipe that sucker clean.

WRONG MOVE... big mistake!!!

Which I'm sure most of you are well aware by now ...of that swift jump into Apple's h e l l h o l e!

After hours, days of research, trying this, trying that, figuring out dead-ends, frustrated, crying, yelling...like it really did any good! hmmmm

I came up with a way to re-install my previous OS without, let me say that again WITHOUT using an Apple login credentials,

so here it goes, are you ready?

This happens to be my FIRST Apple product ever, which I've never experienced their OS layout, so the learning curve was aggressive.

I've been a dedicated Windows user since 3.1, so IF I type (explain) something (terminology) "incorrectly" be understanding, ok?

So for those of you which like myself, have ONLY one Mac product and NO friends to help OR want to share my burden.

Firstly, Write this address down: http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/mac-os-x-mavericks-free-downloa d/

And NO you cannot download from your Windows computer onto a USB drive and then transfer it to your Mac.

WHY, because Windows uses FAT formatting while Mac uses Mac OS, they don't understand each other,

designed that way on purpose dont'cha know?

That is the web-address you will use to download the "Mavericks Installer.dmg", You will need this later for downloading.

You need TWO USB DRIVES, at least 8GB each (this is the secret) shhhh, don't tell...haha

Hopefully, you have two working USB ports.

IF not, just stop now, the rest is assumed and expected that you have two working USB ports on your Mac.

It was bad enough reading through all the previous posts, just to find out that I didn't have the correct Apple ID/password,

nor did I have an extra MacBook just conveniently laying around!

ON your Mac, you need to get into "Mac OS X Utilities", here's how:

HOLD down Command + Option + R while you push POWER (you can release Power only)

Keep holding others, until rotating EARTH shows up. (now you can release those other 3), This starts Internet Recovery.

This is when your Mac will attempt to connect to the internet, make sure you have either Wi-Fi or Ethernet connected,

Ethernet (hard-wired) is much faster than Wi-Fi for downloading needed files.

When "Mac OS X Utilities" finally shows up: (takes it's sweet time about it)

1. SELECT "Disk Utility"

2. Plug in one USB drive at a time, let Disk Utility recognize it, then plug in second USB drive, wait for recognition.

3.When BOTH are recognized by Disk Utility, (you'll see them appear in left-side pane)

SELECT 1st USB Drive (left-side pane), click on (will be highlighted):

SELECT "Partition" (within right-side pane)

SELECT "Partition Layout", then SELECT "1 Partition"

SELECT "Options", then SELECT "GUID Partition Table" (a must for USB drive to act as startup disk)

UNDER "Partition Information"

NAME: (I used MAC DMG, so I wouldn't get it confused with other USB drive)

FORMAT: Use "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

SELECT "Apply", then SELECT "Partition" (this WILL format or wipe out all data on this USB drive)

***DO this same above procedures for Second USB, but name it MAC OS X ***

DO NOT REMOVE EITHER USB DRIVE

Got that so far, next:

CLOSE out (X) Disk Utility

Now, Select "Get Help Online" from "Mac OS X Utilities" menu (should be 3rd from top)

It will open up Safari browser, follow along this is very important.

On top Menu, Click on "Safari", then SELECT "Preferences"

Under "General" tab, scroll down to "Save downloaded files to:"

Click "Other", then SELECT "MAC DMG" under devices menu. Close that window.

You should have an open Safari window about "Recovery Information"

Within "Address Bar" type in web address: (same one you were suppose to write down above)

****************************

Type in and press enter.

SCROLL down to the "DOWNLOAD" button and click it.

It will open up a new browser window and then start downloading the "Mavericks Installer.dmg" package.

It is 5.95GB, so it will take some time to download. (Go goof around while it's downloading.)

WHEN it is finished downloading, close out Safari. (Safari>Quit Safari)

You should be back to the "Mac OS X Utilities" menu.

SELECT "Disk Utilities" once again.

CLICK on "MAC DMG" dropdown under USB drive heading (it will be highlighted)

SELECT "Restore" in right-side pane

Under Source: MAC DWG is entered

SELECT "Image",

then SELECT MAC DMG in left-side pane, it should show -Getintopc.com-Mavericks Installer.dmg (in right-side pane)

* NOW your SOURCE should be: -Getintopc.com-Mavericks Installer.dmg

Next, CLICK & HOLD on 2nd USB drive drop-down MAC OS X, DRAG to "Destination" in right-side pane

RECAP: (right-side pane)

Source: -Getintopc.com-Mavericks Installer.dmg

Destination: MAC OS X

Now SELECT "Restore" (bottom right)

It will ask if you are sure you want to replace "MAC OS X" with "-Getintopc.com-Mavericks Installer.dmg?

SELECT "Erase"

It will verify and start copying the data over, takes about 35 minutes.

If all went well you should have 40,147 files @ 6.01GB

When it is finished, the 2nd USB drive will now be called: "OS X Base System"

Now, REMOVE (ONLY) the USB labeled MAC DWG

Close out (X) of "Disk Utility" (Command + Q)

Close out (X) of "Mac OS X Utilities" (Command + Q)

SELECT "Choose Startup Disk"

SELECT "OS X Base System Mac OS X,10.9)

CLICK on "Restart"

It will ASK again, CLICK on "Restart"

Spinning wheel will activate and "turn for a couple of minutes",

then your Mac will power off and "restart" showing Apple Logo (also for a couple of minutes),

It will then show OS X Installer Window.

Follow Prompts to install your new OS X

I went through Apple's **** Hole and back to bring you this step-by-step guide. (LOL)

Hope it helps.

The great part is that you now have a backup USB restore drive...yippee! (for future mistakes or other Macbooks...)

Have fun,

Cali-Z

View in context

207 replies

Oct 12, 2017 10:45 PM in response to Pcguyvancouver

hey i exspirenced the same problem but when i followed your instructions and when i open safari is dose no show icloud i might just be looking incorrectly (anyone help) all i’m trying to do is install my mac o/s lol

Oct 12, 2017 10:46 PM in response to Pcguyvancouver

Nov 24, 2017 5:10 PM in response to andreas61

I'm having this same issue with Yosemite on an old mac mini. The system was purchased many years ago by my wife with a different Apple ID that's no longer valid. This is very frustrating--if the issue isn't availability, why do they mislead us?

Nov 25, 2017 7:20 PM in response to andreas61

I ended up finding a 3rd-party site that archives old Mac OS installers and makes them available for download. They provided a link to a DiskMaker app that takes the installer and makes a disk image on a USB for you to use to install the OS. Search YouTube for: "Download Yosemite And USB Install - Easy & Free"

Dec 12, 2017 9:52 AM in response to andreas61

Ahhh! I went in so many circles with this. I have a Mid 2011 Macbook Pro 13".

I couldn't access my Mac OS X Recovery when pressing Cmd + R or even Cmd + Shift + R, I could only access Internet Recovery Mode which was only letting me download Lion OS X. I couldn't download Lion OS X because I didn't have that OS associated with apple ID anymore, and I didn't have the original disk nor is there a physical disk being sold.

Per previous replies, I did end up buying the $20 digital version of Lion and applying the redemption code in the App Store while logged into the apple ID I would use in the Internet Recovery Mode. I did use my mac, but I'm sure you could you use the app on your iphone if you have that? But anyway, worked like a charm and now it's installing! I could cry with relief.

Jan 6, 2018 1:33 PM in response to Roy No.1

Did what you said 10 times. Still says Item isn’t available at this time. Signed in on the online help section and went back and the download began. Your solution only gave you the options to get into the dick recovery but nothing on the download

Jan 14, 2018 7:36 PM in response to andreas61

Ive been using PCs for about 25 years. The list of things this MacBook pro CANNOT or WILL NOT do so overshadows the few things it can, that after this mess of trying to wipe the HDD for a clean install, I'm selling it to the pawnshop for the couple hundred bucks they'll give me for it and going to Costco to buy a real computer. A PC, with more than 2 USB ports, with multiple HDMI outputs, with room to add/upgrade parts, HDD, & memory, and a PC that just works the way I need it to when I need it to without telling me I can't do this & I can't do that. "Think Different" may look cool printed on big billboards in New York City, but when it comes to computers, IF IT AINT BLOODY BROKE DON'T BLOODY FIX IT OR CHANGE IT FFS!

Feb 7, 2018 1:28 PM in response to andreas61

I called for Apple help and this awesome guy had me turn off my computer. When i turned it on he had me push command option R. I held them down until I saw the screen that said, Internet recovery. This allows you to recover your OS that is not associated with an Apple ID.

Once it downloaded the necessary components, I went into disk utility and picked the hard drive and erased it to make sure it was clear. Then i closed out of disk utility and went to reinstall os and viola, it reinstalled my OS.

I searched google high and low and couldn't find this "install from internet" option.

Feb 17, 2018 9:36 AM in response to Pcguyvancouver

Thanks, THIS ONE REALLY WORKS. Glad I found it before bothering to faff around making bootable USB. Virtual Hugs & Kisses to you.

IN REPLY TO:

Re: this item is temporarily unavailable

Pcguyvancouver

SOLVED!!!!!!!!

without any help from useless support at apple....btw

The reason you get this message is YOUR apple id is not associated to an apple o/s.

DO Not use someone elses apple id. Youll get all their apps.

In the 4 choices you get click "GET HELP ONLINE"

This opens Safari.

Click icloud and sign in with your apple id.

Now you can go back to installing screen and the downloading will finally work because you have now shown applie id youve logged in from your computer.

What a **** show and i can't believe how easy it was to fix

Mar 9, 2018 11:33 AM in response to andreas61

Somebody said they solved it by signing into iCloud however when I do it won't let me back into the screen with the 4 options it just shows blank and no way to bring it back plus I just got the computer, everytime I turn it on it takes 3 minutes to load and the options will pop up then

Daaani

Level 1

14 points

Apr 12, 2018 11:33 AM in response to Pcguyvancouver

Your answer is awesome - it helped me be able to successfully reinstall iOS on MAC.

--> "YOUR apple id is not associated to an apple o/s."

Only trouble is that when you do COMMAND+R and try to reinstall from Internet you don't get nay 4 options you mentioned > you are ONLY prompted to enter the APPLE ID in order to proceed with the download.

So what you said is perfect because I went ahead and used an apple ID I KNEW was associated with an iOS.

BUT if you don't have one such Apple ID, you cannot get passed the error message "Item is not available right now. try again later". I have not tried using an ABSOLUTELY brand newly created Apple ID > that might also work....

Daaani

Level 1

14 points

Apr 12, 2018 11:35 AM in response to andreas61

--> "YOUR apple id is not associated to an apple iOS."

Only trouble is that when you do COMMAND+R and try to reinstall from Internet you don't get any options > you are ONLY prompted to enter the APPLE ID in order to proceed with the download.

So you have to use an apple ID that was associated with an iOS.

May 10, 2018 8:40 AM in response to andreas61

So I have tried every one of the support forms to reinstall OX X and nothing so far has worked on the Mac mini I brought from someone also Apple support is no good because it’s doesn’t support anything under 2017

May 27, 2018 11:44 AM in response to andreas61

I’m sure this issue is fixed by now, but if anyone else has this issue maybe what I did will work for them. Just sign in with the original username that was used when the Mac was purchased and it should start installing just fine. I think it may be a safety feature, very weird but most things apple related are.

Jun 26, 2018 8:37 PM in response to andreas61

Nah folks that one other user suggested to use Safari in the recovery mode to log onto iCloud then go back to resume internet recovery install? That did not work for me. I 'm sure it won't work at all. Tried 30 times. Don't waste time...still in limbo. I will try to find the original Apple ID instead. Sh*tty Apple product first Mac to own.

This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error