And can a 16GB Compact Flash in a USB reader work to install the OS on a Macbook Pro 2011?
I'm trying to migrate from a dead HD to a new HD and the App Store won't let me download Yosemite on my working iMac.
Thank you for your help!
MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)
Old Toad wrote:
Create a bootable installer for OS X Mavericks or Yosemite - Apple Support
I was aware of that link, but thank you for trying to help.
Step #1: "Download the OS X Installer app from the Mac App Store"
1) For some reason I cannot download the "installer app".
My App Store option for Yosemite (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-yosemite/id915041082?mt=12) says "Downloaded" and it won't let me download any physical file. I looked in my downloads folder and it's not there. The button that reads "Downloaded" is unresponsive, although the dropdown menu does provide options to copy and share the link with others.
I should have been more clear: the app store will not let me download Yosemite on my working iMac desktop computer. I'm trying to create a bootable CF drive so that I can install Yosemite on my laptop computer that has a brand new unformatted HD.
2) Additionally I'm concerned that if I attempt to "install" the "downloaded" operating system on my CF card then my desktop iMac will shift its boot OS to the CF card. Can anyone speak to that concern?
Your link above is to iTunes rather than to the App Store. Can you confirm that you are using the App Store rather than iTunes?
"Install OS X Yosemite.app" is downloaded to your Applications folder, not to your Downloads folder. If you already downloaded it to install on your iMac, and didn't take steps to make a copy of the installer before running it, then the installer is gone, because it deletes itself after it completes the installation. It should still be possible to download it again, however, from the Purchases section in the App Store.
You don't want or need to install an OS on the flash drive in order to install Yosemite on a different computer: you want to a bootable installer on the flash drive. You can use DiskmakerX to create a bootable installer on a USB flash drive. http://diskmakerx.com/.
BTW it doesn't matter if your computer boots from another drive on which you have just installed an OS. It's normal, and finishes the installation process. You can switch boot drives anytime you want using Startup Disk in System Preferences.
The App Store strikes again. Just tried to re-download the Yosemite installer from a Yosemite drive, and it does not work. Clicking on "continue" results in nothing. The App Store is an even bigger mess than iTunes these days.
What machine are you trying to access the App Store with and what system is running on that machine?
Old Toad wrote:
What machine are you trying to access the App Store with and what system is running on that machine?
Mac Pro: in this case I was booted from a 10.10.2 drive. Could the problem have been that I had the Installer app stored? It wasn't in the Applications folder, but perhaps that doesn't matter. I was just trying to see if re-downloading would work, based on the problem the OP described. If I were to boot from an earlier OS and try again, I think that it would download OK. Not sure if that's an option for the OP.
Also: any thoughts on his question about using a CF card?
A different thought: Is Yosemite the original OS version on the iMac you are trying to use to download it? If so, you can't use it for a different Mac as the originally installed OS license is for that machine only.
Thank you for your help.
This site had the conclusive information and links to the various files:
http://osxdaily.com/2014/10/16/make-os-x-yosemite-boot-install-drive/
The install worked from a 16GB Compact Flash disk in a USB card reader.
Tips for others that may try this:
When you download the installer it ends up in the "Applications" folder (not Downloads)
If you're installing to a new drive you may need to navigate during the installation to "Disk Utility". Be mindful as you select your new drive and format it with at least 1 partition by selecting the drop down menu. Also, click Options and make sure "GUID" is selected. Finally, choose a name that you like for your partition ("Untitled" is boring). Everything on the target disk will be erased, so make sure to target your new drive.
Good luck!
How can I download Yosemite to make a bootable Compact Flash drive?
