User profile for user: marzoid
marzoid Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

OS X Could Not Be Installed on Your Computer!

I'm trying to re-install the OS onto my old iMac late 2009. I have tried all options from Apples support and it does not work. 😣 I can't do it via the cmd+R menu. My iMac downloads El Capitan but fails to install. Then when I try to download High Sierra from the App Store the file can't be found. If I try to down load El Capitan from the App Store then I can't make a bootable USB as my new computer can't convert the .dmg to a .app file. 😣😣😣 This is like owning a PC now! Come on Apple! 😣😣

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 6, 2021 12:13 PM

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User profile for user: Jack-19
Jack-19
User level: Level 8
46,116 points

Oct 6, 2021 4:08 PM in response to marzoid

In certain installations when reinstalling OS X El Capitan from OS X Recovery, OS X El Capitan may not install correctly.


To fix this, create an OS X El Capitan (or macOS High Sierra) bootable installer using another Mac: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support and use it on the Late 2009 iMac.


Cheers,


Jack

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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
212,459 points

Oct 6, 2021 3:03 PM in response to marzoid

Late 2009 iMacs can only run 10.13.6 - High Sierra.


Have you tried installing El Capitan more than once?


Boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down), launch Disk Utility and run First Aid on the drive before trying to install El Capitan again. If you get any error indications rerun First Aid until you get none.


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OS X Could Not Be Installed on Your Computer!

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