New SSD, loading Yosemite - HELP appreciated

[GE90]

Hi all

I have purchased a late 2008 MacBook Pro. The hard drive has failed, and I have an SSD coming shortly, so will need to do a fresh install of Yosemite when it arrives.

I have access to a 2013 MacBook Pro, but what is the best way to approach this when the SSD arrives?

As the current hard drive has failed, I have no boot menu when I press the Option key on start up, so I assume this means I cannot boot from a USB drive? I have an enclosure to put the SSD in if I need to.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

[Bikerjon]

Get an 8GB or larger USB memory stick and use the working Mac to create a bootable copy of OS/X (see google for instructions). Fit SSD into old Macbook, connect USB stick and boot from it. Format SSD and then install.

[Dr Slotter]

Don't you need a mid-2009 MBP onwards for Yosemite?

[GE90]

Thanks guys.

Yosemite should run OK on a late 2008, so I'm told!

If I have a blank hard drive fitted, without a bootable USB connected, and press the Alt key on start up, should I stil see the boot menu, as I don't........?

Thanks again

[Bikerjon]

GE90 said:

If I have a blank hard drive fitted, without a bootable USB connected, and press the Alt key on start up, should I stil see the boot menu, as I don't........?

The ALT key lists bootable disks. If you don't have any then a grey screen followed eventually by a flashing question mark is what you would typically expect.