install mac os on 2009 imac

[TrainFan475]

One of my friends gave me a 27'' 2009 imac that they didn't want anymore and it came without a hard drive. I tested it with a windows 10 hard drive and it actually works pretty well, so I was wondering if I can install mac os on it. I know it won't support big sur or catalina but maybe high sierra? It has an i5 750, 8gb ram, and a radeon hd 4850

If I can, how? I don't have much experience with macs

[Electronics Wizardy]

Do you have another mac? Your gonna need one to make a bootable usb to install osx. 

 

here is the guide from apple https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

[Kilrah]

Or an original Mac OS DVD of a supported version.

[TrainFan475]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Do you have another mac? Your gonna need one to make a bootable usb to install osx.

No but my friend does

[WhitetailAni]

It will support El Capitan without a doubt, and might support High Sierra.
I would make an El Capitan bootable USB and then update it if you can.

[Eigenvektor]

9 minutes ago, TrainFan90 said:

27'' 2009 imac … I know it won't support big sur or catalina but maybe high sierra?

Is it early 2009 or late 2009?

 

Early 2009 can do 10.11 (El Capitan), late 2009 can do 10.13 (High Sierra)

[TrainFan475]

6 minutes ago, Eigenvektor said:

Is it early 2009 or late 2009?

 

Early 2009 can do 10.11 (El Capitan), late 2009 can do 10.13 (High Sierra)

does the early 2009 imac also come with the same specs and size?

[Eigenvektor]

4 minutes ago, TrainFan90 said:

does the early 2009 imac also come with the same specs? Are there any external differences to differentiate them?

Early 2009 apparently only comes with a Core 2 Duo, so seeing that you have an i5 it should be the late 2009 model.

Identify your iMac model

Specs for late 2009:     iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) - Technical Specifications

[TrainFan475]

Just now, Eigenvektor said:

Apparently it only comes with a Core 2 Duo, so seeing that you have an i5 it should be the late 2009 model.

Identify your iMac model

Specs for late 2009: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP696?locale=en_US

Ok it's definitely the late 2009 27'' version so High Sierra

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 hour ago, TrainFan90 said:

Ok it's definitely the late 2009 27'' version so High Sierra

You should be able to unoffically run 10.15 or 11 just fine also with some tweaks. http://dosdude1.com/catalina/

 

One big thing is put a ssd in if possible, will make them so much faster.

[TrainFan475]

41 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

You should be able to unoffically run 10.15 or 11 just fine also with some tweaks. http://dosdude1.com/catalina/

 

One big thing is put a ssd in if possible, will make them so much faster.

Already ordered a Samsung 860 evo

[LogicalDrm]

-> Moved to Linux, macOS and Everything Not-Windows

[kpluck]

I believe those iMacs used Apple's funky thermal sensor with the installed HDD. I think you will need to get an adapter to make it work with an SSD. I noticed on OWC's upgrade page they list a thermal sensor as being included.

 

-kp

[TrainFan475]

32 minutes ago, kpluck said:

I believe those iMacs used Apple's funky thermal sensor with the installed HDD. I think you will need to get an adapter to make it work with an SSD. I noticed on OWC's upgrade page they list a thermal sensor as being included.

 

-kp

What it still work without this?

[Kilrah]

Ah yes that dreaded series... If I remember well it will work without but the fan will be running at 100% continuously.

[TrainFan475]

5 hours ago, Kilrah said:

Ah yes that dreaded series... If I remember well it will work without but the fan will be running at 100% continuously.

is that fixable with a fan speed app?

[kpluck]

12 hours ago, TrainFan90 said:

What it still work without this?

My recollection is that without the thermal sensor adapter, the iMac ramps up the fans to 100% and I don't think an app can override their speed in that case. However, that may not be correct. It has been quite awhile since I read anything about it.

 

-KeithP

[Kilrah]

1 hour ago, TrainFan90 said:

is that fixable with a fan speed app?

No that's the point, the fan gets set at 100% at the hardware level overriding anything an app could do. 

People wouldn't have bothered building custom caddies with the sensor if an app could solve the issue.

[ProjectBox153]

13 hours ago, TrainFan90 said:

is that fixable with a fan speed app?

Yes. Macs Fan Control works perfectly for this.

12 hours ago, kpluck said:

My recollection is that without the thermal sensor adapter, the iMac ramps up the fans to 100% and I don't think an app can override their speed in that case. However, that may not be correct. It has been quite awhile since I read anything about it.

 

-KeithP

Only the HDD fan is affected, and even then it doesn't always go up to 100%. However, it can be adjusted with Macs Fan Control for free. 

12 hours ago, Kilrah said:

No that's the point, the fan gets set at 100% at the hardware level overriding anything an app could do. 

People wouldn't have bothered building custom caddies with the sensor if an app could solve the issue.

The fan is completely controllable in software - no sensor required. The replacement sensor method is more of a formality. 

[TrainFan475]

I cannot get this damn thing to install mac os. I've tried everything I can think of. I don't have access to another mac before catalina, and every attempt I've made to use transmac to create a bootable usb drive has failed. When I get into the boot menu, the usb never shows up. Is it a bad dmg? I tried the Sierra and el Capitan dmg files directly from apple's website https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211683

no luck.

[ProjectBox153]

37 minutes ago, TrainFan90 said:

I cannot get this damn thing to install mac os. I've tried everything I can think of. I don't have access to another mac before catalina, and every attempt I've made to use transmac to create a bootable usb drive has failed. When I get into the boot menu, the usb never shows up. Is it a bad dmg? I tried the Sierra and el Captain dmg files directly from apple's website https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT211683

no luck.

Did you mention me in a comment? I got a notification but don't see the comment. 

Either way: is there any way you can get access to a running Mac?

[TrainFan475]

1 minute ago, ProjectBox153 said:

Did you mention me in a comment? I got a notification but don't see the comment. 

Either way: is there any way you can get access to a running Mac?

I thought I did mention you in the last comment

but I don't have access to a running mac or else I probably would've figured it out by now

[Kilrah]

I'm not even sure macs supported installing the OS from USB back then? Might have no choice but to use a DVD

[TrainFan475]

6 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

I'm not even sure macs supported installing the OS from USB back then? Might have no choice but to use a DVD

Could you tell me how?

[ProjectBox153]

52 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

I'm not even sure macs supported installing the OS from USB back then? Might have no choice but to use a DVD

You can boot Macs from at least as far back as the early G4s from USB. Any Intel iMac should have zero problems with it. 

 

1 hour ago, TrainFan90 said:

I thought I did mention you in the last comment

but I don't have access to a running mac or else I probably would've figured it out by now

Is there anyone you can borrow one from?