How to install Mac OSX on new SSD?

Hi guys,


My girlfriends Macbook Pro has recently crashed and I'm trying to help her fix it. What I know is that the HDD is completely dead. I bought her a new SSD drive. Now I want to install her a version of recent Mac OS X, but her Mac was never upgraded (I believe she has Snow Leopard). So booting in Recovery Mode is not possible. She also doesn't have the Original installation Dvd's anymore.


If I would buy a legal copy of Mac OS X Mountain Lion, would I be able to somehow install it on her Macbook?


Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Aug 9, 2016 3:58 AM

Reply
7 replies

Aug 9, 2016 6:54 AM in response to bas252

bas252 wrote:
So buying a digital version of Mountain Lion would not help?

Maybe.


A) your friends Mac MUST be able to run Mountain Lion

<OS X Mountain Lion system requirements - Apple Support>


B) you would need to use another Mac to download Mountain Lion, as you need to have the Applications -> App Store to do the download.


The sequence of events is you go to the on-line Apple web site and buy a redemption code for Mountain Lion. You need to do this using your Friends Apple ID, as everything will be signed with that Apple ID going forward, and you do not want someone else having signed it, as it will just cause problems in the future. Also the redemption code will be mailed to your Friends Apple ID associated email address.


C) Using another Mac, start Applications -> App Store, and change the login account to your Friends Apple ID (this is very important). Now you can redeem the Mountain Lion redemption code and download Mountain Lion which will be signed using your Friends Apple ID.


D) Create a bootable installer on an external USB device. If using a Flash Drive, it should be at least 8GB in size. It can also be a regular USB external disk. Use DiskMaker X to create the bootable USB device

<http://diskmakerx.com/>


E) you can use the USB device to boot your Friend's Mac and install Mountain Lion.

Aug 9, 2016 7:50 AM in response to bas252

If you want a recent version, consider El Capitan. If the computer can run Moutain Lion, it can run El Capitan.


Check that your computer is compatible with Mountain Lion/Mavericks/Yosemite/El Capitan.


To check the model number hold down the option/alt key, go to the Apple menu and select System Information.


MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) model number 3,1 or higher


Your Mac needs:


OS X v10.6.8 or OS X Lion already installed (You can get around this by using Bob's suggestion for a bootable USB drive)


2 GB or more of memory (More is better - 4 GB minimum seems to be the consensus)


8 GB or more of available space

Check to make sure your applications are compatible. PowerPC applications are no longer supported after 10.6.


Application Compatibility


Applications Compatibility (2)


El Capitan 10.11 Compatibility information


Also check to make sure there is a compatible driver for your printer.


Do a backup before installing, preferable 2 backups on 2 different drives.

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How to install Mac OSX on new SSD?

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