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Is a clean install of MacOS possible on an iMac?

TopWargamer
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Stupid question, I know, but I don't know a lot about Macs, but I do know that Apple loves to lock down their stuff. The reason why I am asking is because on Craigslist some dude is selling a 2011 iMac with an i7, 16GB, and a 1TB hard drive for $400 (which I will of course try to talk him down on), but it's not booting into MacOS. So I was thinking I could buy it, do a clean install of MacOS, and then resell it. Problem is, I'm not sure how I would go about doing a clean install of MacOS, or if it's even possible. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

COMIC SANS

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4 minutes ago, TopWargamer said:

Stupid question, I know, but I don't know a lot about Macs, but I do know that Apple loves to lock down their stuff. The reason why I am asking is because on Craigslist some dude is selling a 2011 iMac with an i7, 16GB, and a 1TB hard drive for $400 (which I will of course try to talk him down on), but it's not booting into MacOS. So I was thinking I could buy it, do a clean install of MacOS, and then resell it. Problem is, I'm not sure how I would go about doing a clean install of MacOS, or if it's even possible. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Yup, you can clean install an iMac no problem. Here are Apple's guides on the subject:

About macOS Recovery - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

Desktop: KiRaShi-Intel-2022 (i5-12600K, RTX2060) Mobile: OnePlus 5T | Koodo - 75GB Data + Data Rollover for $45/month
Laptop: Dell XPS 15 9560 (the real 15" MacBook Pro that Apple didn't make) Tablet: iPad Mini 5 | Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1
Camera: Canon M6 Mark II | Canon Rebel T1i (500D) | Canon SX280 | Panasonic TS20D Music: Spotify Premium (CIRCA '08)

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5 minutes ago, kirashi said:

Yup, you can clean install an iMac no problem. Here are Apple's guides on the subject:

About macOS Recovery - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

Thanks! Since their guide says to hold down the command button, does that mean I would have to use an official keyboard or can I use a standard keyboard? If it's the latter, do you know which button it would be?

COMIC SANS

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1 minute ago, TopWargamer said:

Thanks! Since their guide says to hold down the command button, does that mean I would have to use an official keyboard or can I use a standard keyboard? If it's the latter, do you know which button it would be?

You can use a PC keyboard, and your Command button should be your Windows key. If this mac does not have Internet Recovery, you can borrow a friends Mac and search up how to make a bootable OSX install USB. Let me know how it goes for you :) 

Desktop: KiRaShi-Intel-2022 (i5-12600K, RTX2060) Mobile: OnePlus 5T | Koodo - 75GB Data + Data Rollover for $45/month
Laptop: Dell XPS 15 9560 (the real 15" MacBook Pro that Apple didn't make) Tablet: iPad Mini 5 | Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 10.1
Camera: Canon M6 Mark II | Canon Rebel T1i (500D) | Canon SX280 | Panasonic TS20D Music: Spotify Premium (CIRCA '08)

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1 minute ago, kirashi said:

You can use a PC keyboard, and your Command button should be your Windows key.

Much appreciated! ^_^ Time to go practice capitalism.

COMIC SANS

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