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User profile for user: Darkseid2.0
Darkseid2.0 Author
User level: Level 1
1 points

Unable to reinstall Mac OS X Lion

I have no idea of where to post this but here is the situation, I got an iMac from my cousin, it belonged to her brother. Now the HDD gave some problems and I was unable to boot directly in to Mac OS X. Now I can only access the recovery HD, and when I try to reinstall Mac OS X the installer keeps telling me that my AppleID hasn't been used in the store yet.


Now how I'm I suppose to reinstall Mac OS X if the installer refuses to continue beyond that point. Is there some kind of bypass or trick to get past it? I can't afford any of the products on the store. I don't even have a credit card, I've got a PayPal account loaded with 2USD. And I saw that the store doesn't except PayPal, so even if I could afford to buy any thing I would be able to pay for it. Let alone receive it, since the shipping section doesn't have South Africa listed.


I need help with reinstalling Mac OS X ASAP, it's standing idle right now wait for me to move along with the installation.

iMac, Mac OS X Lion

Posted on Dec 22, 2016 11:11 AM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Posted on Dec 22, 2016 12:23 PM

If this iMac is a Late 2011 or later model:


What to do before selling or giving away your Mac


Otherwise, you will need the original installer discs that came with the computer when it was new:


Snow Leopard Erase and Install


  1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
  3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears, and wait for the loading to finish.
  4. After the installer loads, select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click on OK, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
  5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
  6. When the installation has finished, the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
  7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press COMMAND and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
  8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.
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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Dec 22, 2016 12:23 PM in response to Darkseid2.0

If this iMac is a Late 2011 or later model:


What to do before selling or giving away your Mac


Otherwise, you will need the original installer discs that came with the computer when it was new:


Snow Leopard Erase and Install


  1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
  3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears, and wait for the loading to finish.
  4. After the installer loads, select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click on OK, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
  5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
  6. When the installation has finished, the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
  7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press COMMAND and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
  8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.
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User profile for user: Darkseid2.0
Darkseid2.0 Author
User level: Level 1
1 points

Dec 29, 2016 7:36 AM in response to Darkseid2.0

I found a copy of Lion 10.7.5, and I got it running. I now have Mac OS 10.7.5 Lion running on my Mac but, it's too out dated for any new software to run. The apple store under updates has an upgrade offer for Mac OS Sierra 10.12.2, I have no issue upgrading to a newer version. My only concern now is if it will run well on my out dated hardware, I'm limited to only 2gigs of ram. This is the build in hardware limit, according to the box it came in.


Will Sierra run well or suffer from a lack of ram?

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User profile for user: Darkseid2.0
Darkseid2.0 Author
User level: Level 1
1 points

Dec 29, 2016 10:50 AM in response to Loner T

I need an up to date Mac system to test and develop software and games and 10.7.5 just won't cut it. Games made with Unity 5.5 run, but doesn't except keyboard input. And BlitzMax runs but can't compile any of the code I write. So I need an OS version that will at least let me test the apps and games I make to a certain degree.


What about Mavericks 10.9.5, that one should at least give me a system to work with, Right?


Here is the system specs of my Mac as described on the box it came in.


1.83 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor

2Mb shared L2 cache

512Mb of 667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM; supports up to 2Gb (I checked it already has 2Gb installed)

160Gb serial ATA hard drive (I replaced the one that came with it, as it failed and couldn't be partitioned any more)

Slot-loading Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)

17 inch (viewable) widescreen active-matrix LCD display

Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64Mb of DDR2 SDRAM share with main memory


That's the important info. I didn't add the info about all the USB, FireWire ports and camera, I don't think that's of any use for what I need to know. I'll update the main post with that info.

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User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,471 points

Dec 30, 2016 5:38 AM in response to Darkseid2.0

Darkseid2.0 wrote:


OK, now I have a stupid question. Is it possible to build an Intel PC that can run Sierra ...

Yes, it is called a Hackintosh. 😉


if so do I need to flash a BIOS update for Mac OS or will it boot from the install disc with the default BIOS?

Macs do not use legacy BIOS, but EFI 1.1. Most likely you will need an update, but please check the forums. I do not mess with such a set up.

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Unable to reinstall Mac OS X Lion

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