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How does one install a fresh copy of the system software on a late 2009 iMac, which was manufactured one year before Apple offered the capability to reinstall the system software via a ⌘ / R restart? The computer in question is running macOS High Sierra 10.13.6.
I searched for an answer but could only find instructions for a clean install.
Was it even possible to reinstall a fresh copy of the system software then?
Many thanks.
Thanks for replying,
They want to do a reinstall of High Sierra OS, not a clean install.
I only know how to co a clean install of the OS by restarting holding the ⌘ / R keys which restarts in Recovery Mode and then choosing to install the OS.
On a 2009 iMac, there is no Recovery Mode and I don't know if it's even possible to do a reinstall of the system software on old iMacs like that.
I have not had any success with creating and using a bootable USB installer.
Tried it several times over the years and it failed each time. No idea what I was doing wrong and don't want to try and walk a senior through the sequence over a telephone connection.
You need to use the install DVD that shipped with that Mac. It will install the original system the Mac shipped with and you can upgrade from there.
Not sure I understand the question. You can either reinstall High Sierra without erasing the drive or do a clean install by erasing the drive.
Got it. Thank you very much.
Marked question as Solved.
You're welcome.
Are you aware of any reason you can't use a USB bootable installer of High Sierra?
Well, I was actually asking macjack but it's not important. I was just asking if he knew of a problem doing so. I can't say why you may have had a problem creating USB installers.
dialabrain wrote:
Are you aware of any reason you can't use a USB bootable installer of High Sierra?
A usb bootable installer should work.
That's what I was thinking in case the DVD couldn't be found, was damaged etc.
Fresh install of the system software on a 2009 iMac
