Hello,
I have an '09 Macbook that was running Yosemite, and I tried upgrading the OS without realizing it was at it's capacity for upgrades, and it froze everything up. I tried to boot yosemite via USB, because nothing else worked, and it started to install, but ends up freezing again. None of the keyboard fixes work. I can't get into safe mode or recovery or anywhere.. Wondering what to do next? Thanks.
MacBook, iOS 10.1
Your computer can be upgraded to at least El Capitan. How did you make the installation USB? Does it have Disk Utility on it so you can erase and reformat the drive as Kappy suggested? Do you have access to another computer where you can sign into the App Store with your Apple ID and download Yosemite or El Capitan to make a new installer? You can make a bootable USB stick to install using these free programs which will do all the work for you.
Bootable USB Flash Drive – Diskmaker X Disk Creator
You can try to download it at the link below. If it won't let you, then your only options are to upgrade to Sierra/High Sierra or find an older computer where you can download it using your Apple ID.
I think you need to consider a problem on the HDD. It may be failing or has developed a hard error on a platter. You will need to use the steps I posted rather than using your USB flash drive. I don't know if your Recovery HD works or even exists but, hopefully, it does.
Install Lion Through Yosemite from Scratch
If possible backup your files.
This will install the version of OS X you had installed.
You are welcome. If you bought it off eBay, that copy won't be tied to your Apple ID and could cause you problems in the future. Do you have access to another Mac where you can try what I suggested above to get a working installer? I know Diskmaker X has Disk Utility available so you can do the erase/install as Kappy suggested.
Kappy, thank you for the reply. I tried the Command-R several times, and nothing happens. It just keeps going straight to the grey screen with the mountain picture in the background, or whatever it is..and freezes from there. When I install from USB, I hold down the option key, to select installing from the USB, and it starts up normally, but eventually freezes on a Mac OS X screen..
Thank you for the responses. This may make you guys cringe, but I bought the Yosemite USB off ebay..Not sure if it includes a disk utility, but it pops up as an installation option when I hold down Option when I power on. I've tried Command-R with and without the USB, and no response..The machine was working fine until i decided to upgrade to High Sierra or whatever it was I was trying to do. So I messed it up for nothing.
Thanks Eric. I'll have to find another Mac..I only have a window pc at home and at work.
You are welcome.
Yosemite freezing during usb install
