Want to highlight a helpful answer? Upvote!

Did someone help you, or did an answer or User Tip resolve your issue? Upvote by selecting the upvote arrow. Your feedback helps others! Learn more about when to upvote >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Unable to install any OS on Macbook Pro

My son is trying to sell his MacBook PRO from year 2011 and decided to delete everything before selling it......he deleted his HD and now he is unable to install the original OS that was LION and I have also tried installing MAVERICKS and with both OS it says temporarily unavailable try later......I have gone through some of the forums and tried using option, command and "R: key and it takes me through the steps until it goes to install and I get the message 'temporarily unavailable" I am not very familiar with macs and any help would be much appreciated....thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Jul 7, 2015 1:41 PM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jul 7, 2015 1:43 PM

Try this:


Install OS X Using Internet Recovery


Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.


Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:


Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.


Partition and Format the hard drive:


  1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
  2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
  3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.


Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.


Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.


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


Also, see What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support.

8 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jul 7, 2015 1:43 PM in response to Randani

Try this:


Install OS X Using Internet Recovery


Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.


Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:


Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.


Partition and Format the hard drive:


  1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
  2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
  3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.


Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.


Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.


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


Also, see What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support.

Jul 7, 2015 1:47 PM in response to Randani

You need to reformat (erase) the hard drive prior to reinstalling OS X using OS X Recovery.


You can also use the tools in OS X Recovery to verify and repair the startup disk if necessary.

You mentioned you're not very familiar with Macs. If you have an Apple Store nearby, they can do this for you > Apple Retail Store - Store List

Please read > What to do before selling or giving away your Mac

Unable to install any OS on Macbook Pro

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.