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Trying to reimage MacBook Pro - Install OS X - App Store says this item is temporarily unavailable

I'm trying to reimage a MacBook Pro 5 13" (A1278). I picked this up from a friend who isn't using it anymore. I'd like to reimage it back to factory. I've erased the old data and when I try to install OS X I run into issues. I enter my AppleID and I can see the unit on my list, but when I tell it to install I get "This item is temporarily unavailable." Any idea how to get this OS installed?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Nov 27, 2018 10:12 AM

Reply
Question marked as Apple recommended

It did not come with disks. Laptops no longer required disks after Late 2011 models came out. So, here's what you want to do. It will install the version of macOS that was factory pre-installed on your computer.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


If possible back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.


Note:

1. To install the version of OS X that was currently installed use Command-Option-R.

2. To install the original factory version when the computer was new use Command-Option-Shift-R.

Posted on Nov 27, 2018 11:05 AM

Similar questions

4 replies

Nov 27, 2018 10:28 AM in response to cameronfrompeoria

How To Do A Factory Reset


Selection A should be used on computers that came with Lion or later when factory new. These models had no disks included when new. Selection B is for Macs that came originally with Snow Leopard or earlier. These models shipped with Software Restore disks when new.


A. Factory reset of your Mac - Apple Support

B. Factory Reset Your Pre-Lion Mac

Follow these instructions until you get to Step 5 of Factory reset of your Mac - Apple Support. At Step 5 you will need a Snow Leopard DVD or the installer disc that came with the computer.


  1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer. After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
  2. 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 hard drive entry from the left side list (out-dented entry - mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility main window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended (Journaled), then click on the Apply button.
  3. When the formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Proceed with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
  4. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall OS X, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen and asks you to choose a country or region. If you want to leave the Mac in an out-of-box state, don't continue with the setup of the system. Instead, press Command-Q to shut down the Mac. When the new owner turns on the Mac, the Setup Assistant will guide them through the setup process.

Nov 27, 2018 11:00 AM in response to Kappy

I don't believe this unit came with a disk so I went to Selection A "What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac" but that's not exactly what I'm in need of. While helpful should I ever wish to depart with the unit, I'm having an issue reimaging it back to factory. Unless I'm misreading this... are you saying that the A1278 DID come with a disk?

Question marked as Apple recommended

Nov 27, 2018 11:05 AM in response to cameronfrompeoria

It did not come with disks. Laptops no longer required disks after Late 2011 models came out. So, here's what you want to do. It will install the version of macOS that was factory pre-installed on your computer.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


If possible back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.


Note:

1. To install the version of OS X that was currently installed use Command-Option-R.

2. To install the original factory version when the computer was new use Command-Option-Shift-R.

Trying to reimage MacBook Pro - Install OS X - App Store says this item is temporarily unavailable

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