Im trying to make bootable El Capitan stick

[elf69]

So followed guide as link

http://mashable.com/2015/10/01/clean-install-os-x-el-capitan/#3AvzSDSMcEqj

Using a APPLE store downloaded el capitan.

The discx did not work and failed but the terminal method said to said it worked.

So reboot with option key and select USB.

the loading bar gets halfway and stops with the beachball.
1 hour still not loading and light on usb stick stopped flashing.

is there a way of downloading a 10.11 dmg file and burning to DL DVD like I did with my old G4 10.5?
Not able to do recovery via web as poor internet.

downloaded el capitan at friends house in 55 mins!

Did I do something wrong?
Might try another stick as could be stick at fault.

 

[IWT]

Hi elf69

Something probably went wrong, but don't feel bad about it. It happens all the time.

For what it's worth, my experience is that DiskMaker X 5 works very well. But then I'm scared stiff of Terminal!

What I would probably do is:

Re-format your USB stick (Mac Journaled (Extended) and GUID). Or try another stick, yes. That's probably where the problem lies.

Re-download DiskMaker 5 X just in case it was cranky.

Go to your friend's and download El Capitan again. Point here is that you have to stop El Capitan from installing. Then follow instructions for DiskMaker 5. It is really very intuitive.

(Of course, if you're a whizz at Terminal, go that route).

And no, I don't think you can go the dmg > burn to DVD route.

So basically, I'm suggesting having another shot.

One last thing — never tried it but theoretically it should work — use DiskMaker to make installer on 2 USB sticks for extra safety. I truthfully don't know if you can do this, but why not?

Best of luck.

Ian

 

[elf69]

Thanks.

As I am at work I decided to try another route which worked.

I plugged SSD into usb and then ran the El capitan installer AFTER using disk utility to format the new SSD for mac.

It worked well, then once done swapped the HDD for SSD.
Booted from now internal 240GB SSD and connected old drive to use and used migration utility to move my stuff over.

And here I am using my 2009 macbook to write this.

 

[pigoo3]

Congrats. Sounds like this computer has had its ram upgraded (almost to max), an SSD installed, and it's running the latest Mac OS.

Gonna be about as good as it gets for a 2009 MacBook. Please let us know what you think of it's performance.

- Nick

 

[elf69]

see my upgrade thread for more details and my finding as i play more and open close apps etc...

 

[IWT]

Well done,elf69. Great achievement. Shows that perseverance pays off.

Ian