iMac os X utilities ?

[Chrissygizmo]

I've got an Apple iMac that I can't update or restore the os on , I've tried a few different things that I've read on Google & watched on YouTube, so I thought I would see if you lot could help me out as I have had loads of success with TV help from this site.

Basically it's on the Mac OS X Utilities screen but all the options come to a dead end, I am not too familiar with apple I'm more windows so I don't want to try wiping the hd to end up having to take it to a shop
Any help would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

[TechGeek]

What happens if you select 'Install Mac OS X'?

[Chrissygizmo]

Originally Posted by TechGeek

What happens if you select 'Install Mac OS X'?

All options don't work, selecting install Mac OS bought me to yet another dead end, I've ended up wiping the hd thinking I could download some version of Mac OS but I've been unable to so far , I think it's going to come to buying a replacement hd with a working OS installed

[TechGeek]

What do you mean by a "dead end"?

[reformatt]

Format the internal drive in Disk Utility as MAC OS Journalled, then back out and select Install MAC OS. You'll need an internet connection via WIFI to do that as it pulls the installer directly from Apple. I never use that method as its too slow, and installs the version of MAC OS it came with. Use a USB installer instead. I'm assuming this is a pre-2012 iMac, so High Sierra should work ok. Use this guide to create one..

https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-...INSTALLER.html

Check what the highest version of MAC OS is supported on your iMAC. Prob High Sierra given it's age.

Use Option key on bootup to get to the bootpicker, and select the USB drive you created. This will at least get you to a more recent version of recovery. You can also use an external HDD connected via USB to install MAC OS on as well if you suspect the internal drive is stuffed.

[Chrissygizmo]

I think I might of goosed it , I messed around with it one night when I was more than tipsy �� and now it's the flashing folder , obviously I've formatted it, is there still a way of installing an os ?

BTW I don't have another apple device, only android and Windows 10

[-Maverick-]

If you know someone with another Mac desktop or laptop. Ask them if they'll make you a USB installer with High Sierra on it. Now that you have that question mark flashing folder, the mac should boot the usb stick once inserted.

It's a simple process if you follow the link below
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

Check what year your iMac was made via serial number, that way we'll know the highest version of macOS that can be installed. Check under the base of the iMac for your serial number.

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

[stj]

stick Linux on it from a downloaded iso copied to the usb stuck

[reformatt]

One version I know that always worked when I was working on the older stuff was Mountain Lion. You can still download this directly from Apple.

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL2076?locale=en_AU

Download the DMG file (disk image). You can then use something like TransMac to create the bootable installer if you only have a PC.

https://pureinfotech.com/create-maco...e-usb-windows/

You can then at least boot up off this using Option key, format the HDD as MAC OS Journalled, then Install Mac OS. You can then upgrade to High Sierra or create new boot media after you install everything.

[Chrissygizmo]

Thanks for your help to all who have replied

The date of it is mid 2007

[-Maverick-]

OS X El Capitan is the last OS your iMac will support. If it doesn't already, add 8GB of ram and maybe a SSD. I'll go a long way in just normal day to day usage. My recommendation, obviously you don't have to.

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP728?locale=en_US


Since your on a Windows machine. Use Etcher to flash the InstallMacOSX.dmg image to a USB stick. Ignore the missing partition table popup and hit continue.

https://www.balena.io/etcher/

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/20...tallMacOSX.dmg

After Etcher does it's thing, just pop the USB stick into the iMac and turn it on. Since there is no OS, it should just boot the USB stick.

If not, turn off iMac and hold Option (Alt) ⌥ key immediately after turning on the iMac.

As to how you format your drive, in Disk Utility select your internal drive (left hand side) and choose erase. Once the popup appears, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for the format option. The name option is up to you, leave Scheme as is. Click Erase and wait till finished.



Exit Disk Utility and once back on OS X Utilities menu, just select Install OS X and your on your way to a clean install of El Capitan.

[DarinC]

I have that exact iMac. Just for fun I tried to install Big Sur (macOS 11). It did install and was functional but painfully slow and graphic glitches. However I did install 10.15 Catalina with this patch (http://dosdude1.com/catalina/) and it runs just fine for routine things, email, general web surfing, watching videos (Netflix, etc).