Laptop wont reinstall El Capitan

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Level 1

8 points

Laptop wont reinstall El Capitan

When I try to reinstall el capitan on my laptop (that currently has no os) the installer just closes and goes back to the recovery menu, so far apple support has been no help, it seems like they don't understand whats happening even though I sent a video. I had El Capitan before so it should be working. Is there any way I can get this fixed today. I need my laptop for a trip today. Please help me if you know how to fix this. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Vc9dfS3AtCaFNwZ2xySlF5czQ/view?usp=sharing

MacBook, Mid 2010

Posted on Apr 17, 2016 7:19 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 17, 2016 7:23 AM in response to dafawf

Did you have any issues before? Why are you reinstalling the OS.

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Answer 2

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:02 AM in response to Community User

I didn't have any problems before, and I erased it so I could reset my computer and start out fresh

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,574 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:16 AM in response to dafawf

If your device is from 2010, then it would have come with install DVDs - Snow leopard. Did you update yours to allow internet recovery? Read about internet recovery here:

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

You can try the Command + Option + R internet recovery; however, that is not a guarantee as that will install the original OS which is not available online. It may install Lion and you can upgrade to El capitan from there. Or you can use your original install DVDs.

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Answer 4

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:19 AM in response to babowa

I only recently bought this laptop and all I got was the charger and the laptop which had Yosemite at the time

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Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,574 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:22 AM in response to dafawf

Well, then the seller did not do what he was supposed to do: wipe the hard drive and reinstall the original OS as outlined in the licensing agreement. In that case, try the internet recovery and first use that disk utility to wipe your drive, then try the install again - if that does not work, you will need to order retail Snow Leopard install disk from Apple (if that version 10.6.3 is newer than what the laptop came with or it won't work) to reinstall.

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Answer 6

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:26 AM in response to babowa

do you want me to wipe Macintosh HD or the drive that its inside of?

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Answer 7

Apr 17, 2016 12:08 PM in response to dafawf

You should have signed into the app store with your apple id. Downloaded 10.11 because thats what is available now and then created a usb installer. You would then have been able to do a clean install. Do you have another mac that you can download 10.11 and create the installer?

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Answer 8

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:30 AM in response to Community User

No, this mac is my only mac. So I cant do anything with windows?

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Answer 9

Apr 17, 2016 8:32 AM in response to dafawf

No nothing with windows. Do you have an apple store close by. They can help you.

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Answer 10

Apr 17, 2016 8:34 AM in response to dafawf

Or a friend or family that could let you sign in and download.

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Answer 11

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:34 AM in response to Community User

I could bring it to a friends house, could I do something with his imac?

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Answer 12

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:39 AM in response to Community User

I own mountain lion (digital) can I install that on my laptop instead?

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Answer 13

Apr 17, 2016 8:47 AM in response to dafawf

If by own mountain lion digital you mean you have it your purchased section of the app store you could download that. But you should just go for 10.11. You could sign into the app store on your friends iMac with your apple id that way you have your license to use it. Download 10.11 and create a usb installer that you would use to install on your macbook.

Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support

or http://diskmakerx.com

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Answer 14

dafawf Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2016 8:50 AM in response to Community User

I purchased it from the apple store a few days ago.

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Answer 15

Apr 17, 2016 8:53 AM in response to dafawf

I would just install 10.11 as its the most recent OS. I would try and get a refund for 10.8 as you really won't need it if you install 10.11 unless you have a specific need for it.

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