geraldinefromsomerset

Q: I need to reinstall OS

I have been given a mac mini, but the previous owner did not erase and install a new OS. I have tried to erase the HD but cannot download a new system, I have subsequently tried to partition the HD but error recieved was 'cannot unmount disk' . I have tried to boot from the install disc that came with the mini, but the disc is not showing up as a bootable disc.

I am stuck some help please someone. Mac Mini OS Yosemite 10.10.
Thanks

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Aug 15, 2016 1:51 AM

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Q: I need to reinstall OS

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Aug 15, 2016 7:00 AM in response to geraldinefromsomerset
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 15, 2016 7:00 AM in response to geraldinefromsomerset

    What specific model Mini?

    How to identify Mac mini models - Apple Support

    You have/had Yosemite installed?

    Can you do this?

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

    What disk came with the Mac?

    What does the label on the disk say?

    What color? Gray? White?

  • by geraldinefromsomerset,

    geraldinefromsomerset geraldinefromsomerset Aug 15, 2016 9:31 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 15, 2016 9:31 AM in response to lllaass

    Answers below:

     

    What specific model Mini?

    MC270xx/A

    1. 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/2 GB DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500)/320 GB HD/SuperDrive/GeForce 320M/AirPort & Bluetooth Built-in

    You have/had Yosemite installed?

    Yes Yosemite was installed

    Can you do this?

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

    Have followed this procedure but when trying to download new OS message 'Temporarily unavailable'

    What disk came with the Mac?

    Mac mini, Mac OS X install DVD

    What does the label on the disk say?
    Mac OS version 10.6.3  Disc version 1.0  2Z691-6657-A

    To start up from Mac OS X hold down the C key as the computer starts up

    What color? Gray? White?
    Grey

    Thank you.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Aug 15, 2016 9:39 AM in response to geraldinefromsomerset
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 15, 2016 9:39 AM in response to geraldinefromsomerset

    Does the DVD drive work?

    Can you still use the Mac normally?

    Can you boot to Internet Recovery:

    If you can't start up from OS X Recovery, try holding down Option-Command-R to start up from OS X Internet Recovery*

     

    The firmware on your model Mac Mini (2010) could have been updated to add internet Recovery

  • by geraldinefromsomerset,

    geraldinefromsomerset geraldinefromsomerset Aug 15, 2016 2:16 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 15, 2016 2:16 PM in response to lllaass

    Does the DVD drive work?

    Appears to but can't boot from the disc as the Recovery HD overides it.

    Can you still use the Mac normally?

    No

    Can you boot to Internet Recovery:

    Yes, can get as far as the App store  but can't install the new OS as My Apple ID is not accepted, seems like it still needs the original purchasers ID.
    I get the ' This item is temporally  unavailable'

     

    If you can't start up from OS X Recovery, try holding down Option-Command-R to start up from OS X Internet Recovery*

     

    The firmware on your model Mac Mini (2010) could have been updated to add internet Recovery

    Thanks

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Aug 15, 2016 3:15 PM in response to geraldinefromsomerset
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 15, 2016 3:15 PM in response to geraldinefromsomerset

    You said:

    Can you boot to Internet Recovery:

    Yes, can get as far as the App store  but can't install the new OS as My Apple ID is not accepted, seems like it still needs the original purchasers ID.
    I get the ' This item is temporally  unavailable'


    Sure sounds like you did not boot to Internet recovery, just to the Recovery partition.  Internet Recovery does not check Apple ID. Also, you have to connect to the Internet for Internet Recovery and it takes a little time to download/install the Recovery features.  Did that happen?

    You also said :

    Appears to but can't boot from the disc as the Recovery HD overides it.


    What happens if you insert DVD and then boot with wired KB with the Option key depressed?