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

I'm sorry for my lack of knowledge but I still don't know what that means!

Other than my hard drive? Do you mean I should be using the original installation disc or a back up one?

I've already stated that I don't have either one.

PFJ30 wrote:

This from KAPPY page 1 of this thread.

...

This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.

Based on the number of users who claim that their Mac originally came with either Lion, Mountain Lion or Mavericks that say they are only being offered Yosemite from an Internet Recovery, I am suspicious that a firmware update that comes with Yosemite for some, but not all models is responsible for this. The first step in an Internet Recovery is to send information from firmware to Apple which indicates what OS X to offer. It's possible that the Yosemite firmware update is causing the information to indicate that Yosemite is the appropriate system to offer.

I suspect the only work around would be to take the computer to an Apple Genius with some sort of proof that they received their Mac with a different OS X and see if they can override the firmware.

You used Command + R?

That means you are booted from your recovery partition which is a separate built in (and hidden) startup disk for emergencies. In turn, that means you are not booted from your normal system. And you should be able to erase, partition, etc. your hard disk (Macintosh HD).

Using recovery has nothing to do with install disks or backup disks.

Is Command+R different to Command+option/alt+R which is what KAPPY advised. I will ask my friend who did my reinstall after installing SSD drive which he used BUT am pretty certain it was internet and it was definitely Yosemite that was installed (my MBP is Mid 2010, Snow Leopard original?

Command + R will reinstall the currently installed OS version.

Command + Option + R will reinstall the originally installed OS version (if Lion or later). You must erase your hard drive first while in the recovery (use that Disk Utility in the Utilities window). If that was Snow leopard, it will most likely not work and you do need your install disks which you can obtain by calling Apple and given them your serial number.

I know you are right - to a degree - but people are experiencing problems with OS10.10 on kit out of the box from Apple...

KAPPY's instruction says COMMAND+OPTION (ALT) + R

FOR THOSE OF YOU STILL ON YOSEMITE WITH DISLIKES RATHER THAN BALL BREAKING ISSUES:

Tips for tweaking Yosemite back to pre-10.10 features are appearing

Hate FULL VIEW and want MAXIMISE back?

Hold alt(option) when clicking on green button 🙂

babowa wrote:

Command + Option + R will reinstall the originally installed OS version (if Lion or later). You must erase your hard drive first while in the recovery (use that Disk Utility in the Utilities window). If that was Snow leopard, it will most likely not work and you do need your install disks which you can obtain by calling Apple and given them your serial number.

I'm starting to believe that Apple is backing away from this. It certainly used to work that way and I've used it myself, but don't have time at the moment to see if it still works. Note that they removed Command + Option + R from the latest instructions OS X: About OS X Recovery and they don't spell out that you will get the OS that shipped with your Mac. I speculated earlier that they may be modifying firmware to change this behavior.

You might be correct, but it could also be because Apple always refuses to acknowledge that people still have older Macs once they come out with the latest and greatest. I tested my 2010 iMac a few months back and, of course, it won't install SL because it can't, but all in all it was totally unreliable because it would sometimes install Lion and sometimes Mavericks (which was the current OS installed). This happened whether I used Command + R, or Command + Option + R, and erased the drive or didn't erase it. In other words, I would not ever rely on it.

I have a new (refurb) late 2012 iMac which is going back to the Apple store as quickly as I can manage to take it back because it has major/various power problems. Genius Bar determined yesterday that it should be considered DOA (shuts itself off, will unmount externals at will with the message that they were ejected improperly, will not recognize bluetooth keyboard are just some of the quirks I found in a few days). In any case, IF there is time, I may try to test it with the recovery and internet recovery before taking it back; surprisingly enough, it had 10.8.3 loaded (that was unexpected). A new one (replacement - same year refurb/model) is on its way.

Well, I had to speed up getting rid of the new iMac as it became just about unusable today (shut down on its own, unmounting external drive icons, then again telling me that I ejected improperly (but hadn't), keyboard not recognized, etc, etc. So I backed up what I need to do, updated my clones (just because I wasn't sure if any of it could compromise my backed up data), and then booted into recovery....

I chose Internet Recovery - Command + Option + R and after 23 minutes, I was finally connected to the servers. After erasing the drive, I was offered Mountain Lion (which is the original OS on that refurb). After the download, I simply shut it down - no sense waiting for an install. Unfortunately, I did not have time to try the regular recovery, but internet recovery did do what it is supposed to do: install the original OS.

The Mac is back in the box and will be going back to the store.

babowa wrote:

internet recovery did do what it is supposed to do: install the original OS.

Your iMac isn't shown on the list I have as one of those receiving an EFI firmware update recently, so perhaps that's how you were able to return to Mountain Lion. Do your recall if it ever received a firmware update since you received it?

To tell the truth, I don't recall - I did so many installs/updates that there could have been one, but I don't think so.

This is/was a refurb late 2012 3.4 GHz quad core i7 which originally came with 10.8.2 - the online Apple store chat person thought it would have Yosemite installed, but it was ML - 10.8.3. And, to make things more interesting, I ordered a machine which had a regular 1 TB drive listed, but got a fusion drive instead (a huge upgrade) - although I've learned a couple of things about it since (restrictions on partitioning, a special version of Disk Utility, etc), so I'd actually prefer a regular hard drive. We'll see what the replacement has.

Hello,

I m sorry to bother but i need help! Ive just downloaded the yosimite, and my safari is doing stupid things!

Every time i click on a new tab, or for example click on a item on eBay, safari opens a new tab with junk. Adverts.

And on my eBay page there are a millions kinds of adverts tabs there i have never seen before.

I really want to go back to mavericks, but i have never used time machine so i don't have any back ups ...

any help please??

Sounds like you have Adware installed on your Mac. Try http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php and see if it helps.