Mac Os X 10.6.8 won't go into Recovery Mode

[Bobby McBobberson]

I just received an old Imac from a family member running os x 10.6.8.  I'd like to do a factory reset, but no matter WHAT I do during startup the computer won't go into Recovery mode.  I've tried pretty much every key combo I can find but no matter what it just starts normally.  I'm currently using a Windows wired keyboard.  I also tried using a wireless Windows keyboard but nothing changed.  I don't know what to do.  I don't have access to any OS disks that may have come with the system.  Please I just would like to reset it.  I'm more experienced with Windows so any advice would help.  Thanks.

[DrMacintosh]

10.6.8 is snow leopard. You can buy a Snow Leopard disk from Amazon for $20 but otherwise you will just have to roll the dice on finding a Snow Leopard .ISO/DMG online that you can burn to a Dual-Layer DVD as an install disk. 

 

This version of OS X is just too old for the reset feature. 

 

I should know, I just got an eMac and can't reset it without an install disk and they have all failed. 

[Bobby McBobberson]

18 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

10.6.8 is snow leopard. You can buy a Snow Leopard disk from Amazon for $20 but otherwise you will just have to roll the dice on finding a Snow Leopard .ISO/DMG online that you can burn to a Dual-Layer DVD as an install disk. 

 

This version of OS X is just too old for the reset feature. 

 

I should know, I just got an eMac and can't reset it without an install disk and they have all failed. 

Bear with me, if I were to get the OS installer downloaded onto the computer's hard drive, would I be able to install the os that way and have it erase all the previous data?

[DrMacintosh]

Just now, Bobby McBobberson said:

Bear with me, if I were to get the OS installer downloaded onto the computer's hard drive, would I be able to install the os that way and have it erase all the previous data?

You would have to make an install Disk from that installer, that's the only way you will be able to wipe the disks and install the OS again with this old of a Mac. 

[Bobby McBobberson]

7 minutes ago, DrMacintosh said:

You would have to make an install Disk from that installer, that's the only way you will be able to wipe the disks and install the OS again with this old of a Mac. 

One more quick thing, would you recommend installing a newer version of mac os x instead of snow leopard.  For example would it be possible to purchase an el capitan installation disk/usb and install it on my Imac?

[DrMacintosh]

19 minutes ago, Bobby McBobberson said:

One more quick thing, would you recommend installing a newer version of mac os x instead of snow leopard.  For example would it be possible to purchase an el capitan installation disk/usb and install it on my Imac?

You cannot legally buy anything other than Snow Leopard but I do have some OS installers from the Mac App Store that should work as a bootable USB. 

 

I have Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac Mac OSX 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 Mavericks that you could use and could update to Sierra from there (if your Mac supports it). Do you want the link? 

[Bobby McBobberson]

1 minute ago, DrMacintosh said:

You cannot legally buy anything other than Snow Leopard but I do have some OS installers from the Mac App Store that should work as a bootable USB. 

 

I have OSX Mavericks that you could use and could update to Sierra from there. Do you want the link? 

Sure, thank you

[DrMacintosh]

5 minutes ago, Bobby McBobberson said:

Sure, thank you

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B13L04vLVI_TZUpjQWVNTFBVWEk 

 

Download that, unpack it, and make a USB out of it. You might need a newer Mac/PC though...... Might have to do some research on your own. (I'm eating) yell if you need help. 

[Bobby McBobberson]

1 hour ago, DrMacintosh said:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B13L04vLVI_TZUpjQWVNTFBVWEk 

 

Download that, unpack it, and make a USB out of it. You might need a newer Mac/PC though...... Might have to do some research on your own. (I'm eating) yell if you need help. 

I have the USB made, but whenever I try to boot with it, I get a message saying that I don't have enough space to install Mavericks.  It says I need 2 GB, but there are 215 GB free on the hard drive.

[DrMacintosh]

6 minutes ago, Bobby McBobberson said:

I have the USB made, but whenever I try to boot with it, I get a message saying that I don't have enough space to install Mavericks.  It says I need 2 GB, but there are 215 GB free on the hard drive.

Did you wipe the drive? You'll have to do that first. That should get rid of any potential issues. 

[Bobby McBobberson]

On 8/3/2017 at 11:07 PM, DrMacintosh said:

Did you wipe the drive? You'll have to do that first. That should get rid of any potential issues. 

I worked it out, and got Mavericks installed.  But I am currently trying to wipe the drive, but I can't get to the disk utility.  I have a Windows keyboard, and have tried alt + r, Windows key + r, Ctrl + r, and I've tried all those keys individually.  Absolutely nothing is working and I don't know what to do to wipe the drive at this point.

[DrMacintosh]

4 hours ago, Bobby McBobberson said:

I worked it out, and got Mavericks installed.  But I am currently trying to wipe the drive, but I can't get to the disk utility.  I have a Windows keyboard, and have tried alt + r, Windows key + r, Ctrl + r, and I've tried all those keys individually.  Absolutely nothing is working and I don't know what to do to wipe the drive at this point.

Yeah Windows keyboard work with Macs but with driver emulation, which requires the OS to be booted already. You'll need a keyboard marketed for Macs to do the command+r shortcut. 

[thb]

Hi, 

if you haven’t got one of the CD, you can call the Apple Care Support with the serial number of your iMac and they can sent you a new one for free. For a recovery img, you need a CD/DVD, USB devices are not allowed