Question How to install OS on found iMac

[ficeto001]

So I found a perfectly good working iMac at the dump. My guess is that it is a 2008 model or so. Booted right up and I was in the computer messing around. Had to run some errands and when I came back it now asks for a password to get into it. Not sure why I was originally allowed access but whatever. I know Apple's security is legendary and figured I would need to wipe the drive and re-install the OS anyways. So I wiped the drive and I am trying to install El Capitan OS which is what was on it. But I cant do it with it burnt on a DVD. When I try to do it via the internet it says something like "file is currently unavailable". Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ficeto001]

After researching on this site it seems the only way is to make a Bootable OS USB thumbstick. I don't have another Mac to create it though. Wonder if it is possible to create one with Windows. If not, it's on to eBay I guess.

 

[Cj-tech]

So I found a perfectly good working iMac at the dump. My guess is that it is a 2008 model or so. Booted right up and I was in the computer messing around. Had to run some errands and when I came back it now asks for a password to get into it. Not sure why I was originally allowed access but whatever. I know Apple's security is legendary and figured I would need to wipe the drive and re-install the OS anyways. So I wiped the drive and I am trying to install El Capitan OS which is what was on it. But I cant do it with it burnt on a DVD. When I try to do it via the internet it says something like "file is currently unavailable". Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Did you use the Command-R combination to get where you could reinstall macOS?


If so, you should try doing the same with Command-Option-R or Shift-Command-Option-R instead. I literally ran into the same issue on an older MacBook Air and adding Option (or Shift on a regular keyboard) resolved it immediately.

It might also be worth checking out this software if the above doesn’t work for you… https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433?locale=en_US