HT204156: About the screens you see when your Mac starts up

Learn about About the screens you see when your Mac starts up
kkmusial

Q: Resale imac

Recently bought an used iMac, and the seller wiped the system clean but forgot to reinstall OS X Maverick. I personally have never purchased Maverick so when they prompt me to sign into my apple account during setup it throws an error. How do i proceed with setup? I have tried starting the computer in internet recovery mode, but it is not working. Can I install an older version of snow leopard I have, and then update to the latest OS X?

iMac

Posted on Jul 20, 2016 7:14 PM

Close

Q: Resale imac

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jul 20, 2016 7:18 PM in response to kkmusial
    Level 10 (311,830 points)
    Jul 20, 2016 7:18 PM in response to kkmusial

    If the command to start up from the Internet Recovery system is simply ignored, you'll probably be able to install Snow Leopard, but may need the computer's original disks to do so. If you get Snow Leopard installed, you can update it to 10.6.8 and then El Capitan.

    If the command is accepted but fails, it depends on what the problem is.

     

    (143566)

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 20, 2016 7:25 PM in response to kkmusial
    Level 9 (55,682 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 20, 2016 7:25 PM in response to kkmusial

    I would erase the disk and re-install OS X Snow Leopard in order to set up your own Apple ID and password.

    You can install any version of Snow Leopard you have as long as it is not just an update. Then update to the latest OS.

  • by MichelPM,Apple recommended

    MichelPM MichelPM Jul 20, 2016 10:54 PM in response to kkmusial
    Level 6 (13,653 points)
    iPad
    Jul 20, 2016 10:54 PM in response to kkmusial

    If the Snow Leopard disc you have  is not the white, OEM Apple retail disc, with an image of a snow leopard on it, then it won't work.

    Gray install discs are Mac Machine specific.

    Also, do you know what year and model iMac this is?

    The current retail OEM disc that you can purchase from Apple has OS X 10.6.3 on it.

    Some newer 2011 iMac models needed a special version of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, like OS X 10.6.4 or OS X 10.6.7.

     

    Here's the current link to OEM retail 10.6 (10.6.3) Snow Leopard disc here.

     

    http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

     

    Good Luck!