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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

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207 replies

Aug 6, 2014 2:19 PM in response to andreas61

I hope you have figured it out already. I encountered the same problem. The best solution may be to take it to the mac store, but here is what I did.

For some reason my mid2009 macbook pro didn't want to reset its install function to the factory settings, it wanted Lion (i believe Snow Leopard is factory settings for that one). I kept getting the "Item is temporarily unavailable" after inputting my Apple ID.

I purchased (yes, it stinks, but it was $20) a copy of Lion online. Just google search "Mac OS X [version] purchase" and it pops up. They send you a few emails; just follow the instructions and they get you a redemption code (redeemable only at the mac app store on your computer, no disc, annoying).

Since I had already wiped my mac, I had no way of redeeming the code. But I just logged in to the app store with my own Apple ID on my fathers computer and entered the redeem code (you have to be careful to just use the apple ID of the computer you want to install on, not my dad's, or your friend's). Once the redemption code is entered you are good to do the reinstall of mac OS x Lion.

Its installing now.

jwirth93

Level 1

9 points

Aug 7, 2014 7:45 AM in response to dyerrhea54

So basically what you're all saying is that if you don't have 2 mac's that this won't work? I did the same as everyone else (Hard drive wasn't booting correctly so I wiped the drive with an external boot of OS X Utilities). The problem I am having now is that I cannot download another OS X Mountain Lion through this utility (getting the "This item is temporarily unavailable. Try again later.") I can pull up the command line but have no intel on what the command would be in order to download/install the actual OS X. I also only have ONE macbook so download and installing it through an external drive is NOT an option and also do not have warranty on this machine (expired).

Aug 7, 2014 10:02 AM in response to jwirth93

Well, I'm saying that you have to find a way to register the OS with your Apple ID. It might be something as simple as calling tech support, explaining your issue, and having them apply the credit to your account.

Have you purchased a new license for OS X Mountain Lion? You can get it here: http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6377Z/A/os-x-mountain-lion

They send an email within a few days and you can get your redeem code. At that point, you need to figure out a way to apply it to your desired Apple ID (no, just buying it through your apple ID doesn't work, you actually have to redeem it at the Mac App Store on you computer (which you don't have access to because you wiped your hard drive (same issue as me))).

Your issue is that you have no OS "credited" to your Apple ID. If you email someone with a Mac you trust with the info, they can access app store from their computer, login as your Apple ID, apply the credit (instructions are in the email they send you), and log back out. The whole process takes 2 minutes. You would be free to install from your own computer as long as you use the Apple ID your friend applied the code to.

Hope it helps.

Oct 9, 2014 6:19 AM in response to andreas61

Can't restore Lion using Internet restore, after replacing bad hard drive. Lion came on system.

Keep getting this message:

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

How can I restore this Macbook?

pls answer it..

Oct 18, 2014 7:33 AM in response to anje_su16

same issue here. this *****.

help us Apple.

kev.ash

Level 1

5 points

Oct 26, 2014 4:53 PM in response to andreas61

Hi, I'm in the same situation, I bought this machine from someone who has wiped it. and get the exact same message. I cannot get past this stage and am desperate to get it working again. Is there any work-around to get the ****** thing working again.

Roy No.1

Level 1

5 points

Oct 26, 2014 7:06 PM in response to andreas61

Finally, I got the answer!!!

first, you download OS X Recovery Disk Assistant v1.0 from apple, then create a recovery usb drive, then plug in the usb into your mac. when it power on, press option to select use the recovery disk you just made. you will found you can reinstall a OS x 10.10.

fringie2

Level 1

9 points

Nov 12, 2014 1:33 AM in response to Roy No.1

And you are back to needing to buy a secondary mac to fix the first one.

I find it very frustrating.

1) I can't use internet recovery for Lion (and that is the only option I get when using Internet Recovery).

2) If I try to contact Apple they tell me to enter my serialnumber and they tell me to pay money to answer my question. Since they removed the possibility to recovery my Mac they shouldnt charge me.

3) All solutions that comes up tell me to use some program solution to create a recoverydisk and that is only possible if I buy a secondary mac

I begin to understand the people telling me that PC is a better way to go since you can't get any good support on Mac.

anil89

Level 1

9 points

Nov 12, 2014 11:22 PM in response to andreas61

have you managed to fix your macbook pro? I am having the same issue, cant figure it out how to fix it.

Tahayh7

Level 1

8 points

Nov 22, 2014 2:38 AM in response to N21Admin

Well i got uptil the download part, but when i go to download it tells me u dont have enouh free space!!! the file is only 3.1 MB, so frustrating

Dec 1, 2014 1:14 AM in response to andreas61

I was running into this same problem because I was trying to use a different Apple ID than the one I used when I first got the computer. Signed in with my old Apple ID and it started installing. Guess OS X does need to be registered with an ID.

Jan 11, 2015 2:07 PM in response to andreas61

Just found a fix for this for my situation: I was re-installing the OS X on my daughter's 2006 MacBook to speed it up. After I erased the old HD and was trying to install the new OS (Lion, in this case), I was also met with the repeating "This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later" message. I called Apple Support and one of their fix options to was try another Apple ID - I had been using my daughter's ID. Since I purchased this MacBook, I tried using my Apple ID, an wa-la, it allowed me to download the OS X Lion!

idreman

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2015 6:47 PM in response to andreas61

I know the problem now, finally... App Store doesn't have "old" systems anymore, like Lion. You need to upgrade your hardware, to be able to have certain software. My MacPro 2007 started having this problem. Also have macbook air, macbook pro, airport express & extreme, an iPad mini and iPhone. I've been using mac since 2002. Gave my old iMac to my mum, and my Mac mini to a friend. Bought all their products, and trust me, I love them. But it is really childish of them that you cannot get old software anymore via the App Store... 😟

idreman

Level 1

5 points

Jan 13, 2015 6:50 PM in response to idreman

Oh yeah, and I have an iPod nano as well 🙂

1166dave

Level 1

5 points

Apr 11, 2015 4:31 AM in response to andreas61

Same problem - after trying again 100 times, I started to go the route of taking the MBP into the "genius bar". Poor experience with Apple's "genius bar" the past several years motivated me to think harder, so I did.

Here is the answer that worked for me.

I used the original Apple ID that I registered the computer with.

This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error