Question Help with OS X install from scratch

[Alexizzle2]

So I got a friend of mine into a bit of a pickle...

I was helping said friend install Windows 8.1 Pro on his Macbook Pro (Early 2011). I didn't use the Bootcamp Assistant because it was being stubborn. During Windows Setup, I ran into some issues with the format of the partition created in Setup to fill the empty space we left on the hard drive using OS X's Disk Utility. I looked for solutions online (with another computer of course) and tried many, but to no avail. Eventually I found a solution online that seemed to work for many people, so I gave it a shot without really thinking first. Long story short, I erased and reformatted the entire hard disk using the Command Prompt in Windows Setup (Shift + F10). This included the Mac OS X partition.

Anywho, I successfully installed Windows and installed all the necessary drivers. Audio, display, Mac function keys, etc seem to be working fine so far. However, my friend needs OS X back (many classes we take require it). I was wondering how I should go about doing this.

Here's what's up:
-His computer is a Macbook Pro Early 2011 currently running Windows 8.1 Pro
-His hard drive (300ish GB) consists of 150ish GB partition used as the Windows C: drive and 150ish GB unallocated space
-Windows is the only boot option (i.e. if option/alt is pressed on boot, the only option that appears is Windows. Not Mac OS X nor the Mac Recovery thingie appear)
-Command + R on bootup doesn't work

Basically it looks like we'll have to install Mac OS X the old-fashioned way, since Mac Recovery isn't available. I have no idea how to do this.

I heard you can create a Mac OS X boot disk using a Mac already running OS X. I have a Macbook Air 2013 running OS X 10.9.3. that I was hoping I could use. (I have a USB read/write optical drive + blank discs, as well as a 16 GB USB drive).

I found a few online guides on the process:
How to make a bootable Mavericks install drive
Create a bootable Mavericks install drive for newer Macs

There is a bit of a problem with all this though. The install disc needs to be at least 12 GB, so burning to a DVD-R disc (max 4.7 GB I believe) is out of the question. This is an issue, since the Macbook Pro Early 2011 cannot boot from a USB device. It needs a disc in the optical drive.

I am a bit stuck here, and I was wondering if someone who isn't a noob like me could help me and my friend out. I know that I'm a bit of an idiot for entering a command carelessly like I did. If someone with more brains than I could aid us, we'd both be thankful. Cheers!

 

[Ijack]

Did you download the latest version of Bootcamp first? You need to to support Windows 8.1. You really need to start over now. Erase the hard disk, install OS X, update Bootcamp to the latest version (though if you do an Internet install of Mavericks that should already be the case - but it does no harm to check). Then use Bootcamp to install Windows 8.1.

Unless you are really familiar with Macs you should do things the way that Apple recommends. They are not PCs. Also, you have double-posted so I'm going to alert the mods to remove the second post.

Correction - your Mac is too early to do an Internet install. I'll take your word for it that it won't boot from a USB (I'd have supposed it would). Did it not come with an install disk? You may need to take it back to Snow Leopard and then upgrade to Mavericks.

Correction 2 - You can boot your Mac from a GPT partitioned USB device. Catch 22 is that you need a working Mac to produce the USB stick in the first place.

 

[Alexizzle2]

Did you download the latest version of Bootcamp first? You need to to support Windows 8.1. You really need to start over now. Erase the hard disk, install OS X, update Bootcamp to the latest version (though if you do an Internet install of Mavericks that should already be the case - but it does no harm to check). Then use Bootcamp to install Windows 8.1.

Unless you are really familiar with Macs you should do things the way that Apple recommends. They are not PCs. Also, you have double-posted so I'm going to alert the mods to remove the second post.

Correction - your Mac is too early to do an Internet install. I'll take your word for it that it won't boot from a USB (I'd have supposed it would). Did it not come with an install disk? You may need to take it back to Snow Leopard and then upgrade to Mavericks.

Correction 2 - You can boot your Mac from a GPT partitioned USB device. Catch 22 is that you need a working Mac to produce the USB stick in the first place.

I've done a share of dual boot work on Macs before, so I'd say I'm familiar with the basics. Pre-Windows install, I had the latest version of Boot Camp available for that computer installed on OS X Mavericks. I can tell you the application simply does three things: (1) Downloads the latest Boot Camp drivers, (2) Partitions your hard drive, and (3) initiates the installation.

Instead of using the Assistant, I did those 3 things manually. First, I partitioned the disk with Mac Disk Utility. Then, I initiated the install by holding alt/option on boot and selecting to boot from the inserted Windows install disk. Once the installation was complete, I manually activated the WiFi driver through the Windows Control Panel. Then I simply downloaded a zip file full of the latest compatible drivers directly from Apple's website and installed them.

To be clear on my original post, I have no troubles whatsoever with Windows. All I need are specifics on how to re-install OS X. If I have to delete/re-install Windows, so be it. If you would simply give me your source for your "Correction 2" that'd be fantastic. I already mentioned that I have another mac as well as a USB device.


Some notes:

"I'll take your word for it" sounds a bit harsh and/or arrogant. You could easily check for yourself on Apple's Boot Camp support page. If I turn out to be incorrect about what I stated, then feel free to correct me.

As for the "double-post," I am not completely sure of what you mean by that term (I'm fairly new to this site). If I did something wrong, I apologize and I assure you I didn't do it with bad intentions in mind. If you'll just explain exactly what I did, maybe we can prevent this from happening again in the future.

 

[Ijack]

The source for my second correction was Apple: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1948 . I'm sorry that you felt it was arrogant of me to take your word for it that you can't boot your Mac from a USB drive. My understanding, without checking, was that this was possible; my understanding, having checked, is still that it is possible. But if it bothers you that I was prepared to take your word for it - against what I understood to be the case - then I apologise.

Double-posting is when you make two separate posts about the same, or a very similar subject. It fragments the conversation; it's best to keep all posts relating to a particular issue to a single thread. (Of course, it's just my opinion that this is a double-post. The mods may not agree.)

I wouldn't wish to risk offending you further, so I'll back away from this thread now.