Reset Failure on MacBook Pro 2012

Do you have access to another Mac model 2012 to mid-2020? If so, then you may be able to use it to create a bootable macOS Catalina USB installer.

If you have access to a working 2008-2011 model, then you could create a bootable macOS El Capitan or High Sierra USB installer (depending on the exact model of that other older Mac).

With the MBPro 13" (mid-2012) unibody model, the internal HD SATA Cable has an extremely high rate of failure which can impact performance as well. Plus if it has an original Hard Drive installed, then it may be worn out or even failing.

For making that old laptop relevant today, installing Linux would be the best option if macOS is not needed. However, you should check out the health of that laptop's internal Hard Drive first. You can easily do this with a bootable Knoppix Linux USB stick (use the DVD image so you have access to GSmartControl located on Start menu --> System Tools --> GSmartControl). Feel free to post the complete report here & I can examine it for you.

perry2012 wrote:

Reset Failure on MacBook Pro 2012

I am experiencing issues while attempting to reset my old MacBook Pro (2012 model) to factory settings. The device originally came with Mac OS X Lion installed, and Yosemite was the last operating system installed in 2017. The MacBook was retired three years ago due to performance issues (some of which probably related to 3rd party software installed).

I recently decided to reset the MacBook to its original factory settings and update it to the latest authorized OS for this device (Yosemite), as I intend to donate it to a women's shelter for the residents' use.

I would appreciate any guidance on how to successfully restore the MacBook. I considered creating a bootable disk (USB or CD both supported by the model) with the OS X installation package but am having difficulty downloading a copy of Lion or Yosemite from the App Store, as these versions can only be obtained on compatible machines.

I would appreciate any guidance you could provide.

You are not going to find Lion or Yosemite.

ref: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle ...

older macOS installer backups:

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

The most current macOS the mid 2012 can run is Catalina 10.15.7

see: Vintage and Obsolete - Apple Suport

Apple Reuse and Recycling Program

the reason you can't reach Apple.com is NOT related to what that older Mac is capable of.

In 2015, researchers discovered that Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Internet encryption was not nearly as secure as was thought, and needed to be replaced. Internet encryption quickly moved to Transport Layer Security (TLS) which was rapidly deployed across the Internet. Over time, sites tightened requirements for what was acceptable for encryption.

Apple issued Safari version 9 in 10.11 El Capitan version of MacOS, which included TLS encryption. It was later provided by Security Update into the two previous versions of MacOS. 10.10 Yosemite and 10.9 Mavericks, PROVIDED you applied all available software updates.

MacOS versions older than those can not make a lot of secure [httpS:] connections on the Internet, because by todays standards, your proffered SSL encryption is considered inadequate.

That MacBook has reached its expiration date, if you will.

There is little to no productive life left in it due to its inability to securely access today's internet.

While donation is a noble gesture, no one will thank you for that obsolete computer.

Thirteen years is a good run.

The wisest advice is what @leroydouglas has alluded to; wipe it and recycle it.

perry2012 wrote:

It is likely that I will install Linux, I have been reticent as I have not been able to find a working extension that allows Apple keyboard shortcuts such as the ⌘  C , ⌘ V...

Linux (and Windows) utilize the Control key for their keyboard shortcuts. Control + C, and Control + V will perform the same Copy & Paste.

With KDE it appears you can make the Win key (aka Command, aka Meta, aka Super keys) to act like the Control key. It is hard to say what pre-arranged shortcuts could break with this change. Feel free to modify your keybindings as you wish for your own personal use. Other Desktop Environments may have similar options.

If you are going to give this laptop to someone else, then please do not remap the keyboard shortcuts as it will only cause the unsuspecting user problems since all of the menus will mention the Control key & if anyone asks for assistance with their Linux installation, people may suggest pressing certain keys that would no longer work.

If you are going to give the laptop to someone else & have it running Linux, then I would recommend using Linux Mint for multiple reasons.

The mid 2012 was a real work horse— the last user upgradeable HDD to SSD and RAM. Had all the ports including CD/DVD Superdrive.

I used one for 7 or 8 years, still have it with macOS Catalina as an old backup if my current hardware fails. But it is long in the tooth...

The retina 2012 models I know little about— but they had soldered (fixed) RAM, the SSD in a 2012 MacBook Pro with Retina display can be upgraded, but it requires a proprietary PCIe-based SSD (See OWC/MacSales.com)

MacBook Pro after about 2011 have Internet recovery in their ROM, and should be able to download some version of MacOS for you from there.

You may have encountered a temporary glitch. I suggest you try again with Lion, or whatever it offers.

Once you have ANY MacOS installed, you are not stuck in the very limited world of Recovery. You can use all MacOS tools to obtain and install a more recent version.

Many of the direct-downloads shown in the linked article provided above require a running MacOS to unpack and PLACE the installer into the /Applications folder. They can only begin to install after they have been unpacked and placed, so NOT in recovery.

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support