How can I uninstall OS X Yosemite and return to OS X Mavericks?

Okay I see thank you.

But now with the internet restoration thing; I didn't have success when I tried that the first time. It just gave me the option to install Yosemite and not the previous OS (which I believe was Mavericks? theo ne my computer came with?)

Can you please just let me know how I can get my computer to be like how it was when I first got it? I already have everything backed up so that's not an issue.

Skateparkpiracy wrote:

Okay I see thank you.

But now with the internet restoration thing; I didn't have success when I tried that the first time.

Restart with <Command>+<Option>+R

Did you erase your hard drive while in the Utilities of Internet Recovery? As far as I know, that is the only way to go "backwards".

I didn't erase anything deliberately. I only chose to upgrade so I could use iCloud and I can't even do that! I just selected upgrade and let the computer do the rest. I do have a Time Machine backup functioning though. Is there any way I can use that to go back? I just want my old software back. Yosemite is giving me so many problems!

Thanks for replying by the way.

I have an older mid-2010 Mac tower and I record using this computer specifically. Once I installed Yosemite the screen goes blank after a few minutes, ive PRAM cleared and I can boot on recovery mode using command+option+P, but once I log on to the computer the computer screen goes blank, as I said. I would like to go back to Maverick but my main concern as you stated in #3 point below;

1. You must have a fully bootable Mavericks system from which to boot the computer. You can then erase the volume with Yosemite, then clone the Mavericks system to the empty volume you just erased.
2. You can erase the drive and reinstall Mavericks if you have a USB Mavericks installer flash drive.
3. You can boot the computer via Internet Recovery and reinstall the original version of OS X that came with the computer. This is only feasible on models from 2011 to the present.

"via Recovery and reinstall is only feasible on models from 2011 to the present"

what can I do that will help restore..

Thanks in advanced.

ANDY

Well, if you want to downgrade, you will need to erase your hard drive first or you cannot install a previous OS version.

You can make a backup of your files first. Then use internet recovery, erase the drive, install the original OS, and then (during that process), you can use Setup Assistant to port over your files. Unfortunately, that is the only way that will work.

2010 models came with an install DVD (Snow leopard) and the internet recovery process does not work reliably with them because their initial OS was from the pre-digital-download-only days. I've tested this on my mid 2010 iMac several times and the only reliable solution I found was my fully bootable Snow Leopard clone on an external partition. Neither the install disk nor internet recovery ever resulted in the OS version I was looking for; however, on mine, when using the recovery and after erasing the drive, it installed Lion 50% of the time.

Why do you want to go back, to mavericks?

Thank you for the quick reply babowa, here is the really HUGE problem. I know that I need back up my files, here lies the problem. I cannot complete a file back up bc my computer shuts down midway. I tried to log on remotely but once the computer shuts down I lose connection. I read in other posts that they were able to "see" the "sleeping" computer but I cannot. Any other suggestions other than loosing all my files? I have TONS of recorded songs on the Logic side of my hard drive partition.

Thanks,

ANDY

That is very difficult - the only thing I can think of would be to try to install Snow Leopard on another Mac or external drive (using the install DVD). After that, plug it into the misbehaving Mac, and try to boot from the SL install (use D key on boot up), Once booted into SL, see if you can see your Mac's hard drive and drag your files over to your external.

Having said all that, I don't know if that would work; other than using a file recovery service that is the only thing I can come up with - hopefully someone else will have another idea.

I experienced that when I downloaded Mavericks. For some reason, now my MacBook Pro is working slower than molasses.

Perhaps somebody here can help me with something that has not been resolved for me. I did get caught up in this Yosemite mess as part of the iTunes 11.4 mess. But that is neither here nor there. I am not going to go backwards now regardless of what I think of Yosemite....trust me....you don't want to know what I think of Yosemite. I will say that this feels so much like something Microsoft would have done 5-6 years ago that it scares me to death. Again neither here nor there.

I did manage to clean out my Firefox cache as there was a thread here about the size of the cache both in Firefox and Safari and the amount of space they take up. Firefox was easy. Yes I know there is likely some stuff in that cache that helps speed your computer up but not when it has been a growing file for years and years.....At any rate the effect from getting rid of the Firefox cache was an immediate improvement in speed.

Safari is somewhat more complicated. I did not see anything like what people were reporting as the correct file to trash as everything looks different in Yosemite. So here is what I have when I open my com.apple.Safari folder from the library:

I have four items that look like they might be readme files. You know...the icon is a page with the top left corner turned in. They are in order left to right:

cache_set.dmp

Cache.db

Cache.db-shm

Cache.db-wal

So I am thinking the files above are not something to trash...and won't rid of the junk I want to get outta' here.

The file folders (and I am assuming it is one of these that must be trashed to get rid of the safari cache) are as follows:

com.apple.Safari.Safaribrowsing

Extensions

fsCacheddata

RemoteNotifications

Webpage Previews

I am thinking it might be the fsCacheddata folder but only because by name it seems to make the most sense. Extensions seems somehow linked to Norton antivirus. So I don't think it is that one. Any idea if fsCacheddata is the one?

And why in the world did Apple decide to hide the library? Another "boy does that look like something Microsoft would have done" event I might add.

FINALLY! Someone that is experiencing the same problem as me! I installed Yosemite last night, and today, it has become its namesake: an uphill climb! ! !

Last night, I had no problems using the computer with Yosemite. Today, I have spent the last 2-3 hours just trying to get logged in (which, as you stated, I have to do twice), trying to check email, opening emails. My screen becomes completely pixelated in areas and flashes constantly, but, will not let me click on anything. And, I certainly cannot read anything on the screen with the pixelation showing up all over the screen and flashing!

On top of all of that, my battery is almost dead after only 2-3 hours of use! Something is CLEARLY wrong, although, I cannot find a CLEAR solution to my issues - everyone that is more computer-savvy than myself just makes me more confused with all of their impressive computer knowledge and jargon. I am just a simple person, trying to use my simple computer, downloaded a new operating system because Apple would not leave me alone until I did, and now, cannot do anything simply anymore on this computer!

I need to revert back to my antiquated OS of yesterday. Someone, please respond and help! PLEASE???

I understand I'm tagging onto someone else's reply but I can tell you why I would want to back-step from Yosemite. I had a computer which was functioning quite well, then I got offered the update. Thinking this might be necessary for security or functionality I agreed. Seems I can no longer use Adobe CS4 without now downloading some bridging software, and other than that the updates seem only to make my desktop production machine more like an oversized iPad. I really don't want "notifications" and "sharing" and having my documents taken to the cloud. That happened with some writing I did when I first got an iPad - lost the documents in the cloud and the rules changed regarding apple ID which meant I couldn't log on with my previous ID because it wasn't an email address (which was once allowable). I never did get that essay back.

I shall persist with this new system, I'm not afraid of change. However, I do get ****** off with losing control over my own computer and work. That's the reason I stopped using Windows after 23 years but I'll drop Apple sooner than that if this is the way things are going to go. Next time you do a release of an upgrade that ends up being a downgrade I suggest the first web page you send people to is a list of which software will no longer function once you click OK.

Very much in agreement with you about Yosemite, Siriol. I'm having to find my lost files and recreate folders in my finder sidebar after upgrading. Very frustrating, and finding no solutions to the problem other than to wipe clean my drive and reload everything - not an option for me.. Can't believe Apple is not helping on all of these Yosemite issues.