I need to purchase a copy of OS X Lion

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Level 1

34 points

I need to purchase a copy of OS X Lion

I need to purchase a copy of OS X Lion to reinstall on my old MacBook. It is "not available at present" from the App Store. I am required to purchase a "code" from the Apple Shop so that it will become available - or so that I can download it somehow or the other. The purchase of the code defaults to the Apple USA site which has a fixed delivery address of the USA. I do not live in the USA. My Apple ID is linked to the Hong Kong App store. So - how do I purchase the code?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 11, 2016 10:22 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 11, 2016 10:36 AM in response to joodge

Install the original version of OS X that came pre-installed when the computer was new. You should have the original software restore DVDs. You need to use those and then get Snow Leopard 10.6.8 installed before you could upgrade to Lion. If your computer came originally without software restore DVDs and Lion or later pre-installed, then use Network Restore. No disks are needed.

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Answer 2

joodge Author

Level 1

34 points

Dec 11, 2016 11:17 AM in response to Kappy

The original version which came pre-installed when the computer was new was OS X v.10.7 Lion. I do not have the original DVDs - I do not recall ever having them but, if I did, the have been lost in inter-continental moves over the last years. I have tried Network Restore using "Reinstall Mac OS X" from Mac OS X Utilities: that takes me to the screen "Mac OS X Lion" and I click on "continue" (twice to check my computer's eligibility); that takes me to the licence conditions to which I agree; I select my HD, then sign in to download from the App Store with my Apple ID. This tells me that my ID is valid only for the Hong Kong store and I will be switched to it; I select OK. Then I get the "This item is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

Of course, it is NOT available later. No matter how much later one tries.

This seems to be because, if I log into the USA Apple site I am told I need a "redemption code" at a cost of USD19.95. That's rough as the system clearly recognises that I am entitled to download the "unavailable" software - though I suppose that a company cannot keep servicing an old product indefinitely. Be that as it may, if I try to buy the redemption code I cannot do so as the USA site only allows for sales to USA residents (which I am not) and there is no similar facility available on the Hong Kong Store site.

Stalemate. And hence the question I asked...

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 11, 2016 11:36 AM in response to joodge

I cannot help you with your store issues. Resolve that by talking with Apple directly or go to a local Apple retailer/reseller.

Apple does not provide Lion outside of the US store. You say you have an iTunes Store account in the US or do you only have an account in HK? If the former then be sure you log into that store using your Apple ID that is associated with the US store. This should include a US billing address for the credit card you will use. If you don't have a US store account then you probably will need to set one up.

Did you actually purchase the download code?

You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use in the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.

Install Lion Through YosemiteUsing Network Restore

Be sure you backup your files.

Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears. Wait patiently - 5-15 minutes - until the Utility Menu appears.
Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
After Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, this is the out-dented entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the side list. Click on the Partition tab in Disk Utility's main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions to one volume. 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 for the process to finish. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
Select Install OS X from the Utility Menu and click on the Install button.

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