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Punker196

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 27, 2019
1
0
Hello, I accidentally deleted the Macintosh HD as I was trying to erase the data on it because I just bought it from someone with their files still on it. Doing this I accidentally deleted the whole thing rather than just the files on it. I tried going into disk utility and creating a new file or whatever it’s called from the internal disk but then when I go to install the latest macOS, it says the recovery server cannot be contacted. Can someone tell me how to fix this?
 

Longkeg

macrumors 6502a
Jul 18, 2014
565
283
The Nation’s (US) Oldest City
when I go to install the latest macOS, it says the recovery server cannot be contacted. Can someone tell me how to fix this?

is the computer connected to the internet?

Start with this:
How to use Internet Recovery to reinstall macOS
  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Hold down Command-Option/Alt-R and press the Power button. ...
  3. Hold down those keys until you a spinning globe and the message "Starting Internet Recovery. ...
  4. The message will be replaced with a progress bar. ...
  5. Wait for the MacOS Utilities screen to appear.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,279
13,378
Internet recovery:
"command-OPTION-R"

If that doesn't seem to work, and you have an "alt" key, try:
"command-ALT-R"

You must be connected to the internet.
If you connect via wifi, you will need your wifi password.
It will take a while for the utilities to load via the net. Be patient.
 

fjholt1990

macrumors newbie
May 23, 2021
2
0
Hi there, I accidentally deleted my Macintosh HD as well and now when I start up my Macbook Pro it has the flashing file thingo. I did the whole "command+R" which has brought me to the recovery mode. I'm not sure what to do from here. I am connected to the internet.
Please help! I have an early 2015 Macbook Pro.
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,767
4,591
Delaware
Do you have a backup of your drive? (The built-in Time Machine is fine for this, backed up to an external drive)
Boot to Internet Recovery (Command+Option+R)
When you see the menu screen:
Choose "Reinstall macOS"
You should see the choices for the destination drive where you will install macOS.
If there's nothing showing there, quit the installer, and, from the menu screen, choose Disk Utility.
Click the "View" icon, and change to "Show All Devices"
Choose the top item under "Internal" - probably the first item on the left side of that Disk Utility window.
Erase the drive.
Reinstall macOS.
Restore from your Time Machine backup (or other backup method, whatever you have been using so far)
This will take at least a couple of hours (depending somewhat on the speed of your internet connection), so be patient with your progress.
 

fjholt1990

macrumors newbie
May 23, 2021
2
0
Do you have a backup of your drive? (The built-in Time Machine is fine for this, backed up to an external drive)
Boot to Internet Recovery (Command+Option+R)
When you see the menu screen:
Choose "Reinstall macOS"
You should see the choices for the destination drive where you will install macOS.
If there's nothing showing there, quit the installer, and, from the menu screen, choose Disk Utility.
Click the "View" icon, and change to "Show All Devices"
Choose the top item under "Internal" - probably the first item on the left side of that Disk Utility window.
Erase the drive.
Reinstall macOS.
Restore from your Time Machine backup (or other backup method, whatever you have been using so far)
This will take at least a couple of hours (depending somewhat on the speed of your internet connection), so be patient with your progress.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This was SO, so, sooooooo much more helpful than the Apple support web pages. I really appreciate your help :) :) :)
 
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