OS X El Capitan for Mabook 2008

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Level 1

4 points

OS X El Capitan for Mabook 2008

I needed to re-install the operating system for my old MacBook 2008. And there is only one suitable OS for it - El Capitan.

In the recovery mode I selected "install macOS" and it was downloaded to my mac. However, during the installation process all time I saw the same error "OS cannot be installed on this computer. Reach out to the support".

So now my mac doesn't work because it doesn't contain OS system and I cannot install OS X El Capitan due to some unclear reasons.

Anyone know how to resolve such an issue?

MacBook, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 3, 2022 07:00 AM

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Answer 1

Jack-19

Level 8

46,176 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:18 AM in response to alinka08-95

alinka08-95 wrote:

Hello! Yes

Great! Using a USB flash-drive, try to create an OS X El Capitan bootable installer:

How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support.

Then, follow the steps in the article to startup from the bootable installer. You can then reinstall OS X.

The reason for needing a bootable installer is because OS X El Capitan is an older version of the Mac operating system, and the Recovery Download has an expiry date that has been reached.

Jack

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Answer 2

Jack-19

Level 8

46,176 points

Oct 5, 2022 07:49 PM in response to alinka08-95

So Apple turns my Macbook 2008 into a brick without any solution, doesn't it?

No, not at all! We just need to explore other options.

Is there an Apple Store near you:

Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple?

If so, make a Genius Bar reservation, and they can reinstall OS X El Capitan for you:

Get Support.

If there isn't an Apple Store near you, let us know!

Jack

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Answer 3

alinka08-95 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:26 AM in response to Jack-19

Thank you Jack!

I tried to follow these steps from another mac (OS BigSur). And the problem there is with this step:

"Inside the disk image is an installer named InstallMacOSX.pkg. It installs an app named Install OS X El Capitan into your Applications folder. You will create the bootable installer from this app, not from the disk image or .pkg installer."

From the mac with OS BigSur it is not possible to install an app OS X El Capitan from the disk image. I see a notification that this version OS is not eligible for this MacBook and the process stops.

So I can download the disk image, but have no idea of how to make them an app (as it requires).

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Answer 4

alinka08-95 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 4, 2022 11:43 AM in response to Jack-19

Hi Jack!

No, I don't have 100500 MacBooks, I have only 2. The first device doesn't work now due to the errors with OS installation. The second one doesn't suitable to open OS X El Capitan installer file.

So Apple turns my Macbook 2008 into a brick without any solution, doesn't it?

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Answer 5

Samuel-F

Level 3

845 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:02 AM in response to alinka08-95

Hello 🤗

look here If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 6

alinka08-95 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:04 AM in response to Samuel-F

Hello! All these actions were read and done. But the problem still remains.

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Answer 7

Jack-19

Level 8

46,176 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:09 AM in response to alinka08-95

Hello!

Do you have access to another Mac?

Jack

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Answer 8

Samuel-F

Level 3

845 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:09 AM in response to alinka08-95

in this case contact Apple Support

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Answer 9

alinka08-95 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:13 AM in response to Jack-19

Hello! Yes

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Answer 10

alinka08-95 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 3, 2022 07:16 AM in response to Samuel-F

As I see for me it is not possible to contact Apple support and communicate with them via chat, for example.

The page contains only one solution "schedule a visit to local service provider".

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Answer 11

Jack-19

Level 8

46,176 points

Oct 3, 2022 01:20 PM in response to alinka08-95

Thanks for the update. In some cases, the OS X El Capitan installer app cannot be installed on new Mac computers. Do you have access to any others? If so, what's the model and year of them?

Jack

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OS X El Capitan for Mabook 2008

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