Reinstalling Mac OSX On Mid-2011 iMac Problem

Hello,

I have took ownership of some mid-2011 iMacs at my job and I was told to get them ready for use and updated to the latest software. However, I have found out these machines have Linux installed on them and I have briefly tried to simply put Mac OS X back on it using the install DVD but the DVD cannot find the Hard Disk, "currently I cannot even eject the DVD". I assume this is normal and can be fixed?
I would think if I grab lets say a Linux Live CD and wipe the iMac disk and repartition it to an acceptable format the Mac OS X DVD install should work or I am I missing something?

I simply find it hard to believe I cannot undo the Linux install but I have not found very much documentation on this problem yet, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

The first thing you want to do with the iMacs is do a PRAM reset on all of them. Then, I would also do a SMC reset. After that, you probably need to create a thumb drive installer of a version of OS X that can be installed on those iMacs.

Chscag,

First of all, thanks for your reply. I will look into how to put the installer on a USB and making it bootable. Secondly, it does make sense to reset PRAM and do a SMC reset. I actually believe I already tried the PRAM reset. Anyhow, do you recommend trying to erase the disk first? I only ask that because currently the install DVD does not see the hard disk and even by putting the installer on a USB I would think I would still have the same issue because the installer is loading fine now it appears but when I try to start the install it does not see the disk.

Regardless, I will try your procedures and see if I have any luck.

Thanks again,

Joe

Make sure the install DVD actually came with iMacs and must be version OS X.6.5, and to confuse things more, if some were a little later the DVD required mya have to be OS X.6.6.