Factory reset iMac - Stuck

[moustachebandit]

Hopefully someone might be able to shed some light. Currently trying to do a complete factory reset on a mid 2011 iMac.

Wiped the drive - then go to reinstall the OSX and it tells me that "a required download is missing" and I cant go any further.

I have tried to also do the reset over the internet but all I see is the apple logo and noting else - left it for a few hours and its clear its stuck / not doing anything (how could it, its not connected to the internet, and doesn't give me an option to connect it to my router).

Anyone have a suggestion on what could be done? Going around in circles with Google with no resolution.

Cheers

[camel_landy]

I've got this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that you might need a firmware update as your Mac is right on the cusp of being able to do the Internet build.

Are you trying to use Wifi? If so, you might find it easier to plug it straight into your router and start again.

ETA: There's some really useful advice here Mac World - How to.

M

Edited by camel_landy on Monday 16th November 12:57

[page3]

Do you have access to another Mac (or time machine backup) you could boot from? Alternatively, if you have another mac you could create an install USB stick.

[acd80]

moustachebandit said:

Hopefully someone might be able to shed some light. Currently trying to do a complete factory reset on a mid 2011 iMac.

Wiped the drive - then go to reinstall the OSX and it tells me that "a required download is missing" and I cant go any further.

I have tried to also do the reset over the internet but all I see is the apple logo and noting else - left it for a few hours and its clear its stuck / not doing anything (how could it, its not connected to the internet, and doesn't give me an option to connect it to my router).

Anyone have a suggestion on what could be done? Going around in circles with Google with no resolution.

Cheers

Are you trying to do the reinstall via wifi or via ethernet?

[mmm-five]

You missed a couple of step before wiping the drive...

1. Download/create install media
2. Start up from install media
3. Wipe drive
4. Reinstall OS

With another machine, you should be able to download an older version of the OS (up to 10.13 High Sierra I believe in your case) and create the install USB/HDD/SSD.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201372

However, as mentioned previously, internet recovery is only available on a mid-2011 iMac if it had the correct firmware update.

• 21.5" mid-2011 iMac firmware
• 27" mid-2011 iMac firmware

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 16th November 14:10

[devnull]

mmm-five said:

You missed a couple of step before wiping the drive...

1. Download/create install media
2. Start up from install media
3. Wipe drive
4. Reinstall OS

With another machine, you should be able to download an older version of the OS (up to 10.13 High Sierra I believe in your case) and create the install USB/HDD/SSD.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201372

However, as mentioned previously, internet recovery is only available on a mid-2011 iMac if it had the correct firmware update.

• 21.5" mid-2011 iMac firmware
• 27" mid-2011 iMac firmware

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 16th November 14:10

This is your answer.

[camel_landy]

devnull said:

mmm-five said:

You missed a couple of step before wiping the drive...

1. Download/create install media
2. Start up from install media
3. Wipe drive
4. Reinstall OS

With another machine, you should be able to download an older version of the OS (up to 10.13 High Sierra I believe in your case) and create the install USB/HDD/SSD.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201372

However, as mentioned previously, internet recovery is only available on a mid-2011 iMac if it had the correct firmware update.

• 21.5" mid-2011 iMac firmware
• 27" mid-2011 iMac firmware

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 16th November 14:10

This is your answer.

...only if there's another machine available!!

M

[mmm-five]

camel_landy said:

...only if there's another machine available!!

M

Don't need another machine...if you did steps 1 + 2 BEFORE wiping your drive.

Hence the correct steps listed, followed by the alternatives.

[moustachebandit]

Thanks to everyone taking the time to reply - having posted the original message, I twigged that I should connect it to the router with the ethernet cable - did that and everything worked! Mac wound back to High Sierra and its running like a dream - honestly wonder why I put off giving it a fresh install for so long its cured all the issues it had previously.

Will now just migrate over the files I need from my clone drive and reinstall the apps I need.

Thanks again!