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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

SoYeah

Level 1

0 points

Jan 20, 2016 2:20 PM in response to Multimeteor

Internet recovery worked for me too - doesn't require account/password I blew away my hard drive like OP and then shutdown imac, turned power back on Command/Option/R and dropped me into internet recovery - downloading the OS-X just fine now. Thanks Junior2010!

ps. Mac support also told me to do this, I was on hold reading all of these and their answer was the same as junior2010

Jan 22, 2016 4:48 PM in response to andreas61

I was having this problem with a 2010 MBP that I purchased second hand 5 years ago. I ended up shutting down the computer reconnecting the network cable and rebooting while holding down the command and R key. Eventually the spinning globe showed up and after a few minutes it gave me the menu with the 4 options. For some reason the font looked a little different this time. I chose to Reinstall OSX online and agreed to the agreement. It asked for my apple ID and password and this time it worked. The only difference is this time it installed El Capitan instead of Mountain Lion.

Feb 11, 2016 3:05 PM in response to idreman

I would download the OS X Recovery Disk Assistant, but my Mac won't start up any other way other than Recovery Mode. Even when I use the Internet on Recovery Mode, I can't save anything to my hard drive.

retrial

Level 1

13 points

Feb 11, 2016 4:58 PM in response to noahfromcrossville

I don't know why I found a notification about this post in my e-mail. Neither do I get how it relates to the blog title.

Besides of that, I'd ask whether you've looked into your HDD while running Recovery Mode. This mode provides Disk Utility the same way as the O/S does.

You don't say whether you alternatively tried booting in Safe Mode (Shift key while powering up). In this mode, you have the entire O/S at hand except network, GPU etc. But Disk Utility should find the HDD too, so you could test it etc.

Feb 16, 2016 2:35 PM in response to Niverian

Here is the fix. Download or torrent lion osx dmg from the internet. Download transmac. Insert a flash drive at least 8gb in size. Open transmac. insert flash drive. When you see flash drive in the left bar right click and restore from image. Restore using the lion osx dmg you downloaded. Once it is done and with your mac off, insert flash drive. Turn on while holding option key until you see flash drive show up. Click on it and it will take you to the disk utility. Then like before click reinstall osx now it will ask where to install it, now it will install as it is installing from flash drive. This was the only way for my to get passed that annoying temporarily unavailable BS and the easiest. You will now be back up and running and installing lion. If your mac came with a diff osx this should work if you download the corresponding osx dmg. Hope this helps someone as this thread wasn't much help to me so I figured it out on my own. No thanks to apple...

Feb 18, 2016 3:20 PM in response to rianchio23

Thanks!

Apr 12, 2016 5:38 PM in response to andreas61

very very uncomfortable!!!!!!!!!!!! so bad!!!!!!

Apr 30, 2016 12:08 PM in response to Pcguyvancouver

Small addition ..to get back to the previous s reen you have to quit Safari.

May 3, 2016 9:19 AM in response to andreas61

Use Command+Option+R (Recovery from Internet) and you will not hit that problem. Tested.

hlab454

Level 1

4 points

Jun 3, 2016 10:20 AM in response to Cali-Z

This worked!!!! Thanks so much Cali-Z.

When creating the OS X base system, I had to select the "-Getintopc.com-Mavericks Installer.dmg" that was not associated with the MAC DMG USB stick (it was lower down in the left pane).

Jun 4, 2016 11:46 AM in response to andreas61

Hello,

I want to reinstall the OS X Lion in my MacBook because my friend accidentally erased the disk. But when i try to reinstall it, i get an error "This item is temporarily unavailable. Try again". So i request all of you to help me to solve this problem and Thank.

Eric Root

Level 10

684,219 points

Jun 5, 2016 8:50 AM in response to SolaimanMohammed

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. You can link to this one.

Jun 22, 2016 11:55 AM in response to Pcguyvancouver

Awesome buddy. You saved my day. I was about to head to Apple store and then saw your reply. It helped!!!

I am not sure how you found out this route but really great.

Otherwise there were posts suggesting USB CD DVD what not.

Jul 5, 2016 7:14 AM in response to Cali-Z

Would this process work also with other os x versions?

For example I was using mountain lion before. Now I cannot reinstall it because the message "This item is Temporarily unavailable. Try again later" keeps coming up.

Your fix method looks reliable but why you chosed to download Maverick and not Yosemite or El capitan? I see that the webpage with the link you attached also have other os x versions to download.

Thank you!

mcnmm04

Level 1

4 points

Jul 29, 2016 11:24 AM in response to Pcguyvancouver

I started panicking when I went reset a MacBook Pro I just bought used and it wasn't working! This solved my problem so quickly!! Thanks Pcguy!

This item is temporarily unavailable Mac error