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Attempting fresh install of Mavericks on Macbook with NEW HARD DRIVE with no access to a functional MAC

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  • Mac OS X
  • Hard Drives
Last response: in Mac Os X
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April 3, 2014 9:30:49 PM

Previous HD failed, attempting to install Mavericks again. I cant understand how this is hard, but I am not familiar with Apple OS/Products in any way, but I am helping a friend fix his laptop.

If I can build gaming systems.... why cant I find anything useful for installing Mavericks 10.9 onto a laptop that has nothing on the HD?

What do I need to download?

I have attempted to use disk manager (or whateveryoucallthe boot manager) and it directs me to install OS X Mountain Lion. I dont have any apple IDs that purchased that and I can not select a different OS X version. I dont have that option.


WHY?

More about : attempting fresh install mavericks macbook hard drive access functional mac

April 3, 2014 11:18:19 PM

You do a network install: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14243

This only works for newer Macs but as yours has never had a previous version of OS X on it it must be new enough for this to work. (Note for the future- when asking a question it helps to specify the exact hardware that you are working with; in this case that would be the year of manufacture and exact model number.)
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April 4, 2014 7:01:23 AM

That matters with macs? Oh sorry. A1342 Macbook 2009.


And BTW I have done that process... and it prompts me to install Mountain Lion instead of Mavericks even tho Mavericks was the OS that was on it before. I dont understand why I cant just do Mavericks again.
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April 4, 2014 8:01:30 AM

Called customer support, and they want the serial number, that which I dont have. Then they said to take it to your nearest apple store... ITS ONLY 8 HOURS AWAY!

So thats out.

Running out of ideas. Why is apple this impossible?
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April 4, 2014 8:41:12 AM

Year and model is probably more important with a Mac than with a PC. Yours is too old to do an Internet install of the OS, so you have to make a DVD or a USB stick to install from. This is assuming that you have lost the recovery partition. It sounds as if you have. For this you need another Mac. As you don't have access to another Mac you are going to have to take it to someone who does and pay them to fix it. In any case your most sensible option is to take it to someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to Macs.

As for your serial number, here's how to find it (courtesy of Google): http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1559
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April 4, 2014 9:01:38 AM

I learned PCs from nothing... I am sure I can figure out MACs without paying someone. It sounds like I just need to get a bit of a database of mac repair stuff so I can fix these things myself. I tend to be a DIY computer person. If I cant do it myself, it isnt possible for anyone to do it. If it is, I will learn. If I need to borrow someones MAC I will do that instead.

As for the link... I dont have a macbook pro. I already saw that link. I have a Macbook. My serial number is not on my case anywhere.
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April 4, 2014 9:40:16 AM

OK. I'll leave you to figure it out.
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April 5, 2014 8:48:13 PM

So I actually expected someone else to post on here that knows something about Apples, but since they didnt I called Apple and since I dont have access to any of the parts that have the serial number, the tech flat out hung on me mid call after telling me he didnt know what to do.

As for taking it to someone that does it, the nearest person that touches these, is 3 1/2 hours away from me. I need this working alot sooner then next month. (I cant just walk away from life for 2 days lol )

So how about actually giving me ideas? I would not post on this message board if I wanted to be told to go pay someone else.

So. Why, when I do the internet install, and I select install OS X Lion, does it confirm this as the OS for this computer and proceed with install, then reneg on it because the Apple ID I input (APPLE ID OF 1. Original Purchaser 2. Current Owner 3. Mine.) Has not purchased it. What does that have to do with it? If an OS came with it? Why do I have to buy it again? What step am I missing?
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Best solution

April 6, 2014 8:31:36 PM

call up Apple, you'll need the original apple ID of the original owner, have them verify the serial number, they should be able to do something.
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April 6, 2014 9:56:01 PM

you could order Mountain Lion Cd's through e-bay too
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April 7, 2014 6:13:03 AM

Wow they actually did trace the serial number to the apple ID, and are sending me a CD no charge. I didnt expect their customer service to come thru lol awesome.
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