windows 10 on a mac?

[superchicken55]

so, i was recently given an old 2009 imac, the previous owner took out the hard drive so i installed a new one. but i don't have a copy of os x to put on it. so i was wondering if it would be possible to instal windows 10 instead? i have a usb with the windows installation media but when i try to use it, it goes to a windows recovery screen with error code 0xc00000f and restarts a few seconds later. now i have a imac and can't use it. any suggestions?

[Mira Yurizaki]

I have a feeling this is just some weird quirk with Apple computers and why you need to run Boot Camp first before installing Windows.

 

Otherwise you can buy a Snow Leopard install DVD from Apple for $20

[goto10]

that or create a account on apple, then download the iso, or find it by searching on google

[superchicken55]

I might end up doing just that

[Sorenson]

Mac doesn’t have bios so you need to use boot camp through OSX to instal windows 10. Once you do you can set it as the default boot option. I would just take it to an apple store to get an OS X installed. If you know anyone with a Mac you can download the OS on their Mac to get it instead.

[superchicken55]

1 minute ago, Sorenson said:

I would just take it to an apple store to get an OS X installed.

how much would that be though? the nearest apple store is like an hour away and i want to make sure it would be worth it befow i make the trip.

[Sorenson]

2 minutes ago, superchicken55 said:

how much would that be though? the nearest apple store is like an hour away and i want to make sure it would be worth it befow i make the trip.

I’m not sure I would just call apple tech support to find the best option. 

[rikitikitavi]

Hey,

 

If Im not mistaken then your iMac might be able to do internet recovery: when turning on hold down cmnd + option + r

It should install whatever os it was shipped with... but it would probably be very old... and then updating...

Otherwise, a better solution is to download and make a bootable installer usb on another pc:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_(Intel-based)#Unibody_iMac <- find your model, and check the latest compatible OS

2. google how to make a bootable usb with it

Installation itself should be very straight forward, (did the same with 2 2009 MBPs)

 

Then do the bootcamp/windows install.

However, if I remember correctly, you would have to do some EXTRA work to make win10 work with older macs...

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Internet Recovery probably will not work on a 2009 iMac, it was introduced later.

 

That said, you can get a DMG.  I'm sure there are torrents out there from reputable places that host the OS X Installer images.

[superchicken55]

Update: I have decided to just buy a snow leopard instal disk from apple. thank you everyone for all of your help!