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andreas61 Author

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

Top-ranking 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

Larrrnn

Level 1

4 points

Jul 16, 2018 8:11 PM in response to Cali-Z

So I’m on the step of selecting the source “image” from MAC DMG and dragging MAC OS X to the destination, then selecting erase. I get a message that says “to restore the disk image, Disk Utility must scan it first.” I click scan and it says “unable to scan MAC DMG (resource busy).” Did I miss a step? What’s this nonsense?

Jul 19, 2018 7:07 PM in response to andreas61

If the internet down load of OS X 10.XX is not working the it’s probably because your firmware is using an older version of Safari that is not compatible with App Store. You would need a firmware update to fix this. If you already erased the disk you will not be able to update the firmware. You can purchase a disk (ima before 2011) or usb of i.e. OS X 10.7 Lion at your own risk online eBay, Amazon. Trying to install Windows to this patrician if you have a intel processor and then downloading OS X 10. will not work as windows uses FAT formatting.

amera859

Level 1

4 points

Aug 11, 2018 9:13 PM in response to andreas61

So!!! After trying for three days, I tried my Apple ID and my brothers, the same message kept popping up. HOWEVER, I decided to try my dads so once i erased all data, and pressed command+R while restarting the mac, I went onto “ install Mac OS X Lion “, my dad was the original owner so when I typed in his ID information, instead of getting the “ temporarily unavailable ‘ pop up, it started downloading. Moral of the story; the original owners // previous Owners ID should fix this problem—- i think it’s a safety thing.

Aug 31, 2018 7:35 PM in response to andreas61

Today I'm trying to reset my old Macbook Pro 13" late 2011, and the same error message showed up. Please note that 1. my Apple ID is being used for my other newer Mac as well and it works fine, also 2. the old Mac was on macOS High Sierra 10.13.x, and 3. I had already erased everything and had no Time Machine backup or whatsoever. So furious and anxious, I scrambled through the whole lot of replies on this page (via my current new Mac) just to add to my angst and hopelessness that I may not be able to give the old one to my sister.

But in that last minute of despair, I realised I still had to old box and, thank God, the setup CD 😊! You have to see my face at that moment, it's the dumbest thing you can imagine.

So my sincere advice is to try to get those setup CDs and pray. If you got this problem on the same model Mac above and stuck in a corner called New Zealand, pls don't hesitate to flick me a word, for I'm more than happy to help!

nizmoz

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2018 12:56 PM in response to Cali-Z

I have not been able to get this to work. I made the USB stick, and after that went to the Choose startup disk and it doesn't show up! So I am not sure what I am doing wrong. This is on a 2009 MBP 15" that I can't get to work again due to the message This item is temporarily unavail on any account we have tried.

Any help would be great appreciated.

nizmoz

Level 1

4 points

Oct 6, 2018 1:16 PM in response to Pcguyvancouver

Tried this as well and it doesn't seem to work. It opened Safari, I logged into icloud.com and verified my account on my iPhone, then closed Safari down, we back to reinstall O/S, and still same message. Ugh. Any ideas?

Nov 1, 2018 10:16 AM in response to Pcguyvancouver

I try to login with the same account as this mac was purchased, and i still get the message, ''this file is temporarily unavailable''.

I also tried your method but safari wont open icloud because the safari needs to be updated to the latest version while

my mac is empty and has nothing installed on it.

If you may have solutions or ideas i can try, pleas i am trying to fix this problem for a long time.

Nov 1, 2018 10:21 AM in response to Dusheetharan

How do I unsubscribe from this message thread? Every time I try to unsubscribe, Apple’s website keeps giving me an error message. I’ve been receiving Messages from this thread for several months now. Since I no longer own a Mac, I don’t find the messages useful.

sog3o80

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2018 2:38 AM in response to Tahayh7

When you are in safari/chrome or whatever browser U are using go to its preferences top left under the browser name and click on preferences. On the first window it’ll show “location for downloads” use Mac HD. Desktop or downloads won’t work.

Jan 18, 2019 6:40 PM in response to Cali-Z

after fighting with my first & new (to me) macbook for a full day after recieving it in the mail (purchased off mercari & the seller wiped it clean) i was about to rip my hair out.. like literally, SO aggravated. i searched the internet for hours and finally came across your step by step tutorial, had to run to walmart for flash drives but you literally saved my sanity!! this sh*t WORKS, thank you!!!

Mar 8, 2019 10:12 AM in response to andreas61

Temporary unavailable....

Try again..

Again...

And again...

Bla bla bla bla....janji palsu!(ask to Indonesian the meaning of!)

Macbook early 2008 Black series..if u think is to old..so what the solutions? Did u help me? Untill now? If u Apple u should save the old users..even the old hardware. If u nothing, Apple gonna be Durian!!

Mar 8, 2019 10:29 AM in response to andreas61

i ended up contacting apple support after doing everything i could think of & read online.. i started with an early version of lion, had to buy the update for mountain lion ($19.99 on the apple online store, they send you a code & you can redeem it in the mac app store then download) got my computer updated to the most recent mountain lion & from there i was able to download all the way up to high sierra for free.. (using a late 2009, early 2010 macbook pro)

Mar 8, 2019 10:32 AM in response to anoop0410

Feb 22, 2017 11:41 AM in response to andreas61

rafa-el

Level 1

4 points

Oct 7, 2017 8:47 AM in response to wkhatch

Uh no. It actually worked for me. Here is the link for reference. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error