Upgraded to an SSD how do I install MACOS making a USB from Windows

Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Hello, I am a complete MAC newbie, although I work in tech and understand all the lingo I cannot for the life of me understand how to do this.
I have an iMAC A1227 that has a 320 GB hard drive. I want to put a 500GB SSD in it.
I cannot understand how to do it. The iMAC has no CD Rom so I want to do it via USB.
From within Windows I use TransMac, start it, right click on the USB, Format disk for MAC and once it is done I go to Restore Disk with Image. I select the image which is _OceanofDMG.com_macOS.High.Sierra.10.13.6.dmg (5,183,947 KB)
The USB stick formats and does it's thing.
Once it is complete I pop it into the MAC and it sings it's little song I press the option key and then I just see a cursor. That's it, no matter how long I leave it there it's dead in the water.
I also tried to do it with Disk part method in windows before putting the image and I get the same results.
Does anyone have a WORKING way to create a valid USB from within Windows so I can boot up the iMAC with a USB stick?

Also, I popped the old hard drive back into the MAC assuming there was some kind of software I can use to create an image or something, but it seems this MAC is old and does not have the ability to go with instant recovery or make a bootable USB.

I need help
Thanks
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Welcome to the forum.

I cannot find an A1227 model at Mac Specs, Prices, Answers and Comparison: EveryMac.com, Est. 1996. Does the Mac boot now from the old drive? If so, can you then click on the  in the upper left corner of the screen, then on "About This Mac" and tell us what the resulting panel shows? Macs are usually identified by terms that have early, mid or late followed by a year. For example, my MBP is a mid-2015 model. Apple has often assigned the same number to multiple models, so the term I described is much better as an identifier.

Once we know the age of the machine, then we can tell you what it can run and how to install it.
 
OP
A
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
It says
Mac OS X Version 10.5.8
Processor 2.8 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Model Identifer iMAC8,1

and when I look under the MAC (under the foot it says A1225)
My apologies I thought it was A1227

Also, I have no idea if this machine can take high sierra and if I have the proper DMG.
And download DMG are painstakingly slow even on my 1GBIT connection, but I'm not downloading them directly from Apple because I downloaded about 4 different DMG and transmac always tells me they are not valid images
 
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
10,702
Reaction score
1,158
Points
113
Location
Rhode Island
Your Mac's Specs
M1 Mac Studio, 11" iPad Pro 3rdGen, iPhone 13 ProMax, Watch S7, 2018 15" MBP, AirPods Pro
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Ok, that seems to be this one:

iMac 24-Inch "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 (Early 2008) Specs (Early 2008, MB325LL/A, iMac8,1, A1225, 2211): EveryMac.com

If it is that one, it should have a DVD drive internally, with a slot on the side for loading. IN addition, any external CD drive can attach via the USB ports.

The site I linked to says the latest version that can run on that hardware is 10.11.x, which is El Capitan. Here is part of what is on that site:

This system can run the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion", OS X 10.9 "Mavericks", OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" and OS X 10.11 "El Capitan" including booting in 64-bit mode. However, it does not support OpenCL nor does it support AirDrop, AirPlay Mirroring (which also requires a 2nd Gen or later Apple TV), Power Nap, or other advanced features, either. It is not capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) or subsequent versions of the macOS at all.

So, it will NOT run High Sierra, which is 10.13.x. I see that Bob has posted while I was typing this in, but his link is assuming you have 10.6 installed and won't work. You could get the Snow Leopard install disc from Apple (that's 10.6) and then move up from there using the link he gave. I think you also are going to need a thermal sensor for the drive or the fans will go crazy when you swap out the drive, but I'm not sure what models need that, exactly.

- - - Updated - - -

Your iMac is a 2007 model, iMac 20-Inch "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 (Al) Specs (Mid-2007, MA876LL, iMac7,1, A1224, 2133): EveryMac.com. It will only work with up to OS X El Capitan (10.11). What OS is on the iMac currently? If you have 10.6.8 installed, you can use this link, How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support to get El Capitan through the Mac OS App Store.


Bob, he said it was an iMac 8,1, not the 7,1 you cited. Not a lot of difference, but given what he told us, it seems bo be an early 2008 model.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
audi911, you could also install Lion from the install disk from Apple: OS X Lion (10.7) - Apple

It costs about $20, should do a clean install and from there you can upgrade to El Capitan online through Apple. Lion was the last version that cost any money to get.
 
OP
A
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
iMac 24-Inch "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 (Early 2008) Specs (Early 2008, MB325LL/A, iMac8,1, A1225, 2211): EveryMac.com

I have this


So ok is there a DMG file that I can download to boot off the USB?
If yes can someone tell me how to do it (or does it just not work because I'm putting an incompatible OS on the USB)
If that's the case can someone please give me a link to the correct OS
PS. I do not want to spend money on any OS I basically just want a fresh install of the highest OS I can put without spending money :)

Just a quick side question, can what I want to do actually be done (upgrade the old 320 GB to an SSD and do a fresh install of the OS?)
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
Also for audi911, Windows-created installers for Macs generally don't really work as well as going to Apple for the authentic software. You are much better off springing for the $20.

One other thing, when you press any key to modify the boot sequence, you need to keep it pressed through the boot process. So to boot from an external CD, right after you power on, press and hold the Option key down until you see options for boot drives show on the screen. Tapping doesn't do the job.
 
OP
A
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Im currently downloading Mac OS X 10.7.2 Lion
I am going to try and make it work with transmac
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
I would NOT trust a downloaded version of Lion. Apple didn't make it available that way, so what you will get will be a pirate version, with who knows what "other" stuff installed. Just do the right way and get the disc from Apple.

Good luck with transmac. I've never heard of it actually working.
 
OP
A
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Is there any way (without buying anything) to get a fresh copy of ANY os on this iMAC via USB.
If yes, if transmac doesn't work, is there any way that I can do it directly from the MAC considering I can still boot from it?
I can't believe that someone who owns a MAC doesn't have a simple upgrade OS reinstall feature available to them.
In Windows you download the ISO make a bootable USB and you are ready to go, it's impossible MAC doesn't have this feature?
Is there some kind of restore partition on the MAC that can recreate the OS on a USB stick or something like that?
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
I’m not familiar with TransMac but I did some quick reading and it looks like it can do the job. I’ll post some links and instructions, but I gotta address a pet peeve first. “Mac” is short for “Macintosh”. “MAC” is an acronym for “Media Access Control”. There is no such thing as a “MACintosh”.

Here’s an article that details how to use TransMac to make a bootable Mac OS installer in Windows. Try going by that guide, but rather than using the download link they provide for the Mac OS installer, try the one I link to that is direct from Apple.

*retracted*

How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

EDIT: on looking at this further now that I'm home, I don't think that the official Apple installer will work with TransMac. It looks like that tutorial is linking to a download of a copy someone made into an ISO. I'm retracting the link since I think it's a little fishy, and probably contrary to the forum rules anyway.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
Is there any way (without buying anything) to get a fresh copy of ANY os on this iMAC via USB.
If yes, if transmac doesn't work, is there any way that I can do it directly from the MAC considering I can still boot from it?
I can't believe that someone who owns a MAC doesn't have a simple upgrade OS reinstall feature available to them.
In Windows you download the ISO make a bootable USB and you are ready to go, it's impossible MAC doesn't have this feature?
Is there some kind of restore partition on the MAC that can recreate the OS on a USB stick or something like that?

All of this is certainly possible. Arguably it’s easier with Mac OS X than Windows, at least in some respects. Let’s figure out just what you CAN do right now. You keep talking about using Windows but are you able to boot into the Mac OS also? If you can’t, or think you can’t, then restart your Mac and hold down the OPTION key as soon as you see the Apple logo or hear the chime. Keep holding it until you get a list of options to boot from.
 
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
10,702
Reaction score
1,158
Points
113
Location
Rhode Island
Your Mac's Specs
M1 Mac Studio, 11" iPad Pro 3rdGen, iPhone 13 ProMax, Watch S7, 2018 15" MBP, AirPods Pro
audi911, you could also install Lion from the install disk from Apple: OS X Lion (10.7) - Apple

It costs about $20, should do a clean install and from there you can upgrade to El Capitan online through Apple. Lion was the last version that cost any money to get.
Jake, that version requires the Mac OS X/OS X App Store. We're not sure what is installed on the iMac to begin with.

Edit: Also, if you have a friend with a Mac, you could ask them to help you make the bootable USB installer.
 
Last edited:

krs


Joined
Sep 16, 2008
Messages
3,555
Reaction score
610
Points
113
Location
Canada
Jake, that version requires the Mac OS X/OS X App Store. We're not sure what is installed on the iMac to begin with.

Post #3 says it's Mac OS X Version 10.5.8

I would forget about transmac completely - people trying to use that just have headaches with their Mac.

Sounds to me that the OP mostly wants to replace the drive with an SSD and a fresh copy of the OS.
The iMac originally came with macOS 10.5 so I think one can download original macOS again for free from Apple.
 
Joined
Nov 28, 2007
Messages
25,564
Reaction score
486
Points
83
Location
Blue Mountains NSW Australia
Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
1. Tranbsmas will not work period.

2. As stated, your iMac is a 1225.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Nov 28, 2007
Messages
25,564
Reaction score
486
Points
83
Location
Blue Mountains NSW Australia
Your Mac's Specs
Silver M1 iMac 512/16/8/8 macOS 11.6
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
Is there any way (without buying anything) to get a fresh copy of ANY os on this iMAC via USB.
If yes, if transmac doesn't work, is there any way that I can do it directly from the MAC considering I can still boot from it?
I can't believe that someone who owns a MAC doesn't have a simple upgrade OS reinstall feature available to them.
In Windows you download the ISO make a bootable USB and you are ready to go, it's impossible MAC doesn't have this feature?
Is there some kind of restore partition on the MAC that can recreate the OS on a USB stick or something like that?

I took another look over all the replies in the thread here. With all the voices, things can get chaotic. So, it looks like you previously confirmed you have Mac OS 10.5.8 currently installed and booted off the internal drive. So that’s good. You’ve been running into problems so far because you are trying to install a version of OS X that is not supported on your particular model. It’s too old. As previously stated, the latest you can install is 10.11, aka El Capitan. It is downloadable direct from Apple. Two of us have provided the download link, but here it is again:
How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

Now, to address what you want to do. It sounds like you want to make a bootable installer onto a USB flash drive and reinstall OS X from scratch so you have a clean slate with the most recent version that you can run, correct? That’s a very sensible thing to do and absolutely possible. In fact we advocate for it all the time. Luckily there is a free tool to make this easy. Download either DiskMaker X Pro (the latest universal DiskMaker utility) or DiskMaker X 6 (the version specific for creating an El Capitan installer).
DiskMaker X Pro

You will have to download the installer from Apple via the link above, which is a dmg file. This is a “disk image”, the equivalent of an iso. Open that, and you will see the contents displayed as if it was a CD. Run the file “InstallMacOSX.pkg” and it will create the installer, titled “Install OS X El Capitan” and place it in your Apps folder. It will likely automatically launch the installer when done, but you can just quit it. Then use DiskMaker to create your USB installer.

For doing the actual install, here’s a guide:
How to perform a Clean Install of OS X El Capitan on Your Mac
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
9,962
Reaction score
1,235
Points
113
Location
The Republic of Neptune
Your Mac's Specs
2019 iMac 27"; 2020 M1 MacBook Air; macOS up-to-date... always.
...except that link is no good for the OP - one has to be on macOS 10.6 or later to use that upgrade to El Capitan; OP is on 10.5 and doesn't want to spend the money to go to 10.6

Dangit! I overlooked that specific pre-requirement. Now I get why he wants to make the installer via Windows. Welp, it can be had for 20 bucks, but you have to call Apple.
Where buy Snow Leopard - Apple Community
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top