how do I reinstall OS X Yosemite 10.10.4 onto a target Macintosh HD of a Macbook Air using the Macbook Air in target disk mode running from an iMac 5k connected with a thunderbolt cable?

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how do I reinstall OS X Yosemite 10.10.4 onto a target Macintosh HD of a Macbook Air using the Macbook Air in target disk mode running from an iMac 5k connected with a thunderbolt cable?

the MacBook Air will only boot as far as halfway through any of its user id start up then hangs or stops with white script join bllack background saying 'kernel panic' and various other lines for about 300ms before the whole screen goes dark and the computer crashes and tries to restart.

is running as per info below:

hardware test also shows that the Macbook Air hdd (solid state) (in target disk mode) is running over temperature

as below:

Disk Warrior has found some minor residual directory issues on the MAcBook Air HD which might cause system instability?

main thing is can't use the MacBookAir in recovery mode as keeps crashing.

Help Please.

cheers,

John

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), screenshots in content above

Posted on Jul 3, 2015 3:34 AM

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Answer 1

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jul 3, 2015 3:37 AM in response to John E Phi

you should install OSX on the mac itself. you can copy a downloaded installer to that mac, and then install.

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Answer 2

Cavbru

Level 1

4 points

Jul 3, 2015 3:42 AM in response to John E Phi

The easiest solution (for me at least) would be to reinstall the MBAir using a USB bootable installer.

Why go through all that trouble using target mode and an iMac? You can easily build an installer using terminal.

Check this link HERE. I always use option 1. Very easy.

If you have the bootable USB, insert it into the MBAir, reboot and keep holding the alt button.
Then choose the USB installer as your startup disk. You will then immediately go into the OSX install screen.

In case that doesn't work, rebuild the disk using Disk Warrior first (in target mode).

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,294 points

Jul 3, 2015 3:47 AM in response to John E Phi

In TDM, the hard drive of the Air will appear as an external drive on the iMac. Download and run the installer. When it asks for the destination, choose the Air's hard drive.

However, you may need to rix the problems you have with the hard drive, first.

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Answer 4

John E Phi Author

Level 1

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Jul 3, 2015 3:52 AM in response to Cavbru

Hi, thanks so much for your kind advice

so far have tried to reinstall OS X yosemite using disk recovery mode and ustitlkites from the Macbook Air's own HDD - wouldn't install - crashes partway through

then used Disk Warrior usb in MAcBook Air to start OS X in target disk mode

same result

then rebuilt the MacBook Air disk using Disk Warrior from a Disk Warrior USB all disks appear sound in directory structure including permissions repairs.

disk utility also confirms directory structure and disk permissions all OK

(originally something appeared to have changed remote management app ownership permissions and could not be repaired. - wondering if this is the source of the problems?)

will check your link out now

and try process again from there

I'll let you know how I get on....😀😕

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Answer 5

John E Phi Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 3, 2015 3:56 AM in response to Barney-15E

Hi tried this

the OS X installer does not offer the MacBook Air HD as a target disk, only the local disk in the iMac , which is already running 10.10.4...........😮

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Answer 6

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jul 3, 2015 4:00 AM in response to John E Phi

As I said, install on the MBA itself.

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Answer 7

Cavbru

Level 1

4 points

Jul 3, 2015 4:03 AM in response to John E Phi

Then I suggest going the createinstallmedia route in the link I provided and use it as startupdisk. Then you can install it directly on the MBA, like Lex says.

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Answer 8

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,294 points

Jul 3, 2015 4:44 AM in response to John E Phi

Ddid you download the installer, or are you trying to boot into recovery on the iMac. The latter won't work. You need to download the installer from your Purchases tab in the Mac App Store.

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Answer 9

Eric Root

Level 10

685,257 points

Jul 3, 2015 1:43 PM in response to John E Phi

You can make a bootable USB stick to install using this free program which will do all the work for you.

Bootable USB Flash Drive – Diskmaker X

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