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I have an iMac and it's been erased but I can't install a new OS because something is missing when trying to use recovery mode. I have no password or username. How do Install a new OS?
I am guessing you may have also removed the recovery partition which means the Mac can not boot for recovery purposes. You will need to decide which OS you want on there and then make a bootable drive.
Read the document 'How to create a bootable installer for macOS' at this link --> Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
Click on this link to read how to get different versions of macOS --> How to download macOS - Apple Support
- The article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements links for each OS version instead. This web site also has a reliable presentation of model and OS version compatibility: https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
- It helps to have more RAM (memory) than what is noted as "minimum" for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.
- You may find you must use Safari to get links for High Sierra and later using the Mac App Store application to open to a functioning page.
- Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite download as a .pkg. Click on this to have a converted version placed in your Applications folder as an "Install OS..." application. Run the installer and follow the directions.
- Upgrades may take some time (up to an hour or more) to install, with restarts and blank screens.
Before upgrading, back up at least your data in case something goes wrong. See this support document: How to back up your Mac - How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer, as older 32 bit apps will no longer work. To check for those, try this 32 bit application scanner application --> https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
I am guessing you may have also removed the recovery partition which means the Mac can not boot for recovery purposes. You will need to decide which OS you want on there and then make a bootable drive.
Read the document 'How to create a bootable installer for macOS' at this link --> Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support
Click on this link to read how to get different versions of macOS --> How to download macOS - Apple Support
- The article also has links to system requirements for each OS version which you should check against your exact computer model. For any model produced in the last 5 years or so you should use the system requirements links for each OS version instead. This web site also has a reliable presentation of model and OS version compatibility: https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
- It helps to have more RAM (memory) than what is noted as "minimum" for any particular system or your computer may run slowly.
- You may find you must use Safari to get links for High Sierra and later using the Mac App Store application to open to a functioning page.
- Sierra, El Capitan, and Yosemite download as a .pkg. Click on this to have a converted version placed in your Applications folder as an "Install OS..." application. Run the installer and follow the directions.
- Upgrades may take some time (up to an hour or more) to install, with restarts and blank screens.
Before upgrading, back up at least your data in case something goes wrong. See this support document: How to back up your Mac - How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
Check if your old apps will still work with with the OS you want to install - https://roaringapps.com/apps This is particularly critical if you are upgrading to Catalina or newer, as older 32 bit apps will no longer work. To check for those, try this 32 bit application scanner application --> https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/
Thanks Limnos, everything worked out smooth by making and using the bootable installer. I appreciate the thorough answer with pertinent links included. It was exactly on point!
Glad to hear that, and thanks for letting me know!
I got a discarded iMac from 2011, and had no password or username. I erased the Mac with disk utility and now I need help on how to install a new OS. When I try to reinstall an OS, it says something is missing and can't install. Any suggestions?
