Mac Mini Late 2014 mistakenly formatted HDD and cannot boot

Dear fellow mac mini lovers,

I recently got used Mac Mini late 2014 model for my son and try to clean start so google how to factory reset and I must got wrong instruction and formatted HDD. I believe that newer model still keeps boot file even if HDD is formatted but not the older model.

Now, my son Mac Mini does not boot and it is just showing question mark blinking on screen.

I tried internet recovery option multiple times but it did not help.

I also made bootable USB for the latest OS, Big Sur. Not sure I can just install this latest OS onto older model on blank hdd though and not sure how to access Boot from USB option. I pushed Command+R but does not come up booting from external drive option.

Can anyone help this poor guy out? :)

Thank you so much...

Jim

Posted on Oct 6, 2022 03:58 PM

Top-ranking reply

jeffreythefrog

Level 6

13,535 points

Posted on Oct 6, 2022 04:06 PM

a Big Sur bootable installer should be able to install Big Sur on the mini without issue.

you can completely shut the Mac down. and then with the bootable installer connected to the Mac, power the Mac back up. after you hear the startup chime, (or see the apple logo if your chime is turned off) press and hold the "option" key until you see the option to start the Mac from the bootable installer.

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Mac Mini Late 2014 mistakenly formatted HDD and cannot boot

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