Bootable USB for Mid 2010 MacBook Pro- No Hard Drive

[ww2_1943]

Hi all,

I just acquired my first Intel Mac. It is a mid 2010 MacBook Pro. I didn't pay anything for it so I don't really want to invest too much money into it if it is not working. The MacBook does not have a hard drive or battery. Also, I believe the fan is dead or dying. It came with a spare fan. I had to purchase a power adapter for it online as I did not have one that would work.

I would like to boot off of a USB to test the MacBook out and make sure everything is working. The machine does turn on and the screen appears to be fine. I have been searching for a 10.6 image to use for a bootable USB. The inly image I have found so far is from the Internet Archive and it will take me about 10 hours to download. I found a High Sierra DMG and on Media Fire and then tried to make a bootable USB using these instructions from Apple- https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372. It did not work, I think because I am using a M1 MacBook Air. I assume I would have the same issue if I found 10.6.

The other computers I have are two PowerBooks G4s and two computers that run Windows 10. Would one of those work better for this?

I guess my question is- Can I make a bootable USB with 10.6 (where can I find a DMG) on one of my computers? Preferably

on my M1 MacBook Air.

 

[IngoX]

The Mid 2010 MBP is the earliest model that can use Internet Recovery in case of a blank harddrive that lacks a recovery partition.

But it requires that it has got a firmware update. I think that update was done automatically if the machine once earlier has been updated to 10.7 Lion (or maybee the firmware update came with the subsequent 10.8). Of course you can not know for sure if that aplies to your machine, but it is highly likely. The Mid 2010 shiped with 10.6.3 Snow Leopard.

Put in a cheap SSD and give it a go. If you boot with Option-Command-R it should attempt to install 10.13 High Sierra. If you use Shift-Option-Command-R it will probably install 10.7 Lion.

Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery - Apple Support

Some computers that came with OS X Snow Leopard and earlier installed can use the OS X Internet Recovery feature after applying a firmware update.

support.apple.com

If you can't start up from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

Learn what to do if you can't get your Mac to start up from macOS Recovery.

support.apple.com

 

[ww2_1943]

The Mid 2010 MBP is the earliest model that can use Internet Recovery in case of a blank harddrive that lacks a recovery partition.

But it requires that it has got a firmware update. I think that update was done automatically if the machine once earlier has been updated to 10.7 Lion (or maybee the firmware update came with the subsequent 10.8). Of course you can not know for sure if that aplies to your machine, but it is highly likely. The Mid 2010 shiped with 10.6.3 Snow Leopard.

Put in a cheap SSD and give it a go. If you boot with Option-Command-R it should attempt to install 10.13 High Sierra. If you use Shift-Option-Command-R it will probably install 10.7 Lion.

Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery - Apple Support

Some computers that came with OS X Snow Leopard and earlier installed can use the OS X Internet Recovery feature after applying a firmware update.

support.apple.com

I tried running diagnostics while connected to Ethernet by holding command D. I ended up getting an error message. Maybe it doesn’t have the updated firmware.

I guess I’ll just have to order a SSD.

 

[IngoX]

I tried running diagnostics while connected to Ethernet by holding command D. I ended up getting an error message.

There is an explanation for that! 🙂

”This occurs when using computers that require an EFI Firmware Update to use the Lion Recovery feature.”

Edit: To clearify, Mac models released 2010-2011 can use Internet Recovery if they have got an EFI update, but can not use Hardware Test with Command - D.

About the "Apple Hardware Test does not support this machine" message - Apple Support

You may see a message stating "Apple Hardware Test does not support this machine." This is produced when you hold down the "D" key during startup and Apple Hardware Test is not found in the hard drive.

support.apple.com

 

[ww2_1943]

There is an explanation for that!

This occurs when using computers that require an EFI Firmware Update to use the Lion Recovery feature.

About the "Apple Hardware Test does not support this machine" message - Apple Support

You may see a message stating "Apple Hardware Test does not support this machine." This is produced when you hold down the "D" key during startup and Apple Hardware Test is not found in the hard drive.

support.apple.com

Do you think that means internet recovery won’t work? I ended up ordering a Snow Leopard install disc. I figured I’ll start with that and then try to move to High Sierra.

This “free” laptop has cost almost $70 now. I had to buy a power adapter, SL DVD, and now SSD.

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[DeltaMac]

Older Macs tend to not work with the Diagnostics. In my experience, the Diagnostics don't connect to the remote server, and you get that odd error message. I try to boot my 2012 mini to Diagnostics, and it also does not connect. But, Internet Recovery works completely, just not Diagnostics.

Long story about 10.6.3. If you purchased the standard, commercial Snow Leopard installer DVD, you will find that it will not boot or install on your 2010 MBPro.
Your 2010 MBPro shipped with 10.6.3, but it is a special build of that version that is only available on the DVD that shipped with that MBPro. The reason is that Apple never released a Snow Leopard install to the public later than 10.6.3, and the build on that commercial installer DVD is older than the one you need. Again, it won't boot or install on your MBPro. You can work around that, but you need to have a second, older Mac that will allow you to install 10.6.3, then update it to 10.6.8 - then move that drive with the installed system into your MBPro.

 

[ww2_1943]

Older Macs tend to not work with the Diagnostics. In my experience, the Diagnostics don't connect to the remote server, and you get that odd error message. I try to boot my 2012 mini to Diagnostics, and it also does not connect. But, Internet Recovery works completely, just not Diagnostics.

Long story about 10.6.3. If you purchased the standard, commercial Snow Leopard installer DVD, you will find that it will not boot or install on your 2010 MBPro.
Your 2010 MBPro shipped with 10.6.3, but it is a special build of that version that is only available on the DVD that shipped with that MBPro. The reason is that Apple never released a Snow Leopard install to the public later than 10.6.3, and the build on that commercial installer DVD is older than the one you need. Again, it won't boot or install on your MBPro. You can work around that, but you need to have a second, older Mac that will allow you to install 10.6.3, then update it to 10.6.8 - then move that drive with the installed system into your MBPro.

Darn. I wish I didn’t purchase it. It’s a retail version.

 

[IngoX]

Do you think that means internet recovery won’t work?

No on the contrary, I think it will work.

Why dont you give it a try right now? (Not sure if an emty harddrive bay affects the internet boot process at all)

 

[ww2_1943]

No on the contrary, I think it will work.

Why dont you give it a try right now? (Not sure if an emty harddrive bay affects the internet boot process at all)

I don’t have the disc yet. I purchased it on eBay today. Also, it’s 10.6 not 10.6.3. I should have checked into that before hand

 

[MBAir2010]

My MacBook air 2010 needs a usb of snow leopard to boot when there is a new drive.
unless there is a time machine copy from the MacBook air.
once you get the hard drive, you can perform a factory restore or internet recovery to High siera

BTW
i fund behind a counter at a pawn shop 2 mac minis the clerk was wary of showing, let alone selling
long story short, i selected the 2012 min, 16GB for $125 got home and found out that was a i7 processor.
after installing a ssd last week, i finally have a replacement fan today
i need a coupler, track pad and monitor and something else....
paid $125
then $68 for ssd-new fan.
and will pay more for parts than the mini
BUT
the mac mini is worth $500 on eBay and worth more to me now.
your MacBook pro rules and will be worth more down the road!

 

[ww2_1943]

[mention]MBAir2010 [/mention]
I can’t believe a 2012 is worth that much!

I feel like this MacBook is pretty outdated. I’m not sure the value will go up. But I will be happy to have a machine that can dual boot windows. I’m planning on eventually installing Catalina using DosDudes patch. Also Windows 10. It’s too bad Windows 10 only has about another year of support.

 

[IngoX]

My MacBook air 2010 needs a usb of snow leopard to boot when there is a new drive.

Do you know for sure if your MBA 2010 has got the firmware update below? I mean isn’t the purpose of Internet Recovery to be able to install on an empty new drive.

MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.3

 

[IngoX]

[mention]MBAir2010 [/mention]
I can’t believe a 2012 is worth that much!

I feel like this MacBook is pretty outdated. I’m not sure the value will go up. But I will be happy to have a machine that can dual boot windows. I’m planning on eventually installing Catalina using DosDudes patch. Also Windows 10. It’s too bad Windows 10 only has about another year of support.

It will run Catalina fine with an SSD. But USB2- speed sucks.

Have you tried how it reacts to Option-Command-R with an empty harddrive bay?

 

[MBAir2010]

Do you know for sure if your MBA 2010 has got the firmware update below? I mean isn’t the purpose of Internet Recovery to be able to install on a empty new drive.

MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.3

my brain is a pile mush now, (everything on the MBA is updated, just needs some screws!)
cuz, Im trying to get the apple tv3 to play iTunes videos was a nosebleed just now.
which just worked!
in 200?  was charging $129.99 for snow leopard, or $19.99 in 2010
therefore they wont just give this away , like mountain lion today
as far as the original poster problem DeltaMac solved.
i was just adding some insight.
but thanks for the link and reply!

 

[MBAir2010]

[mention]MBAir2010 [/mention]
I can’t believe a 2012 is worth that much!

I feel like this MacBook is pretty outdated. I’m not sure the value will go up. But I will be happy to have a machine that can dual boot windows. I’m planning on eventually installing Catalina using DosDudes patch. Also Windows 10. It’s too bad Windows 10 only has about another year of support.

i hope until 2025 as promised, my Dell XPS 13" went back to windows 10 recently

 

[halfapie]

There is an extra terminal command you need to use to create the drive from M1 processors. you can find it in the forums here somewhere.

You can't use an M1 Mac to create bootable pre-BigSur macOS installers

Thank you this worked for me to create a Mojave installer using a M1 MacMini running Big Sur. to clarify, that command has to be run inside the Contents/Resources folder in the Install macOS ### app. Meaning, do this first. cd /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/

forums.macrumors.com

 

[halfapie]

Also, Apple signs the packages with internal certificates with expiring clocks. Whatever you downloaded that is NOT from Apple might seemingly create a usb drive but the actual install might fail. Get the real DMG from Apple. They will have high sierra on their website.

 

[ww2_1943]

i hope until 2025 as promised, my Dell XPS 13" went back to windows 10 recently

Is it 2025? IDK why I had 2023 in my head!

 

[ww2_1943]

Also, Apple signs the packages with internal certificates with expiring clocks. Whatever you downloaded that is NOT from Apple might seemingly create a usb drive but the actual install might fail. Get the real DMG from Apple. They will have high sierra on their website.

They won't let me download it from My MacBook Air. It seems like you have to have Developer credentials to get DMGs for OS's that aren't supported on the machine you are downloading to.

 

[halfapie]

They won't let me download it from My MacBook Air. It seems like you have to have Developer credentials to get DMGs for OS's that aren't supported on the machine you are downloading to.

You mean from these links? Sorry I didn’t realize that. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

 

[loby]

You can download OS X Lion and Mountain Lion from Apple downloads and it will load for the MacBook Pro 2010. I still use the 2010 for some programs. Does decent with Windows 10, but does not install natively through bootcamp (W7). Actually, the USB2 works faster than some of my USB3 newer laptops depending on the size of the file.

Depending on the RAM, probably Mountain Lion is good for starters on it. Lion (to me) was decent, but works better with more RAM.

Look on eBay for the original install disks. You will save a lot of trouble with the 2010. If you have the 15” there are known issues with the GPU (look on the forum for more info).

For Windows 10 the bootcamp drivers for 2010 can be a headache, but you can make it work. You will need to do some further trials with both bootcamp 4 and 5. Attainable, but a headache. Good luck but be ready to spend a little time with it. Worth it once you succeed.

 

[ww2_1943]

You mean from these links? Sorry I didn’t realize that. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683

Yes, it opens the appstore and gives me the following message- Not compatible with this device

 

[EugW]

They won't let me download it from My MacBook Air. It seems like you have to have Developer credentials to get DMGs for OS's that aren't supported on the machine you are downloading to.

I wonder if the DosDude High Sierra Patcher launches on M1 Macs. Cuz if it does, you can just use that to download High Sierra. It has a direct link to the latest installer from Apple's own servers.

However, if you already have the legit up-to-date copy from the link you already found, you should be able to make a USB installer using the Terminal, as long as you have the right command entered. It's different for different OS versions, and it may be different on M1 Macs too.

Also, it should be noted that some USB drives won't boot a Mac. I have two Lexar USB drives. One can boot the Mac, but the other cannot.

 

[ww2_1943]

I wonder if the DosDude High Sierra Patcher launches on M1 Macs. Cuz if it does, you can just use that to download High Sierra. It has a direct link to the installer from Apple's own servers.

However, if you already have the legit up-to-date copy from the link you already found, you should be able to make a USB installer using the Terminal, as long as you have the right command entered. It's different for different OS versions, and it may be different on M1 Macs too.

Also, it should be noted that some USB drives won't boot a Mac.

I'll give it a try. Even if that works, It does not look like I will be able to use Disk Utility to make a bootable USB. I am reading through the thread that Halfapie posted to figure this out

 

[EugW]

I'll give it a try. Even if that works, It does not look like I will be able to use Disk Utility to make a bootable USB. I am reading through the thread that Halfapie posted to figure this out

No, Disk Utility won't work. Or at least, it never worked for me. You need to enter the correct Terminal commands.