Error Message When Trying to Upgradea 2009 MacBook Pro (Current OS X: 10.9.2)

Question

Error Message When Trying to Upgradea 2009 MacBook Pro (Current OS X: 10.9.2)

I have a Charity Client who is unable to upgrade their MacBook Pro (on OS X 10.9.2).

After downloading the new OS, and double clicking to install the error displayed was:

The following disk images could not be opened. .... MacOS X image not recognised.

Client has a 13-in, mid 2009 MacBook Pro. The highest the Client can upgrade to is 10.14 Mojave. The minimum needed is 10.11 El Capitan. This is required so the Client can view or stream video (as something called wide vine is no longer supported on the current version).

I would appreciate Community advice on how to resolve this please.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on May 29, 2023 02:21 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

71,976 points

May 29, 2023 03:59 AM in response to HelpAppleANClients

The maximum OS for a mid 2009 MacBook Pro is NOT Mojave, it is El Capitan, so that is what you will want to get.

See this page:

How to download macOS - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

May 29, 2023 05:10 AM in response to HelpAppleANClients

Thank you for your reply Luis. Other Apple threads indicate that for all of the Macs that are older than 10.11, they need to be updated to 10.11 first.

The difficulty is in trying that, irrespective of the eventual target OS, the described error is encountered.

From the troubleshooting link within the URL you supplied the only obvious thing to try may be to reattempt the upgrade in safe mode.

Is that your recommendation or is there a better option to try first ?

Thanks,

Duncan

Reply