Help! Mac was factory reset, can not install OSX

[Lisawall]

I have searched and cannot find the solution to my specific problem, or for what ever reason am not understanding the solution.

I just purchased a used 2009 iMac (classic rookie move). The previous owner had kept it up to date (Yosemite or El Capitan) however they performed the factory reset prior to selling it. Upon start up it automatically takes me to either go to utility drive or reinstall os x. The os x it automatically wants me to install is El Capitan. When I attempt to do so it prompts me for my apple ID. If I use mine, which is new, it says "you have not yet purchased anything from the app store" and that's where that ends. If I use my mom's, it says "Temporarily unavailable. Try again"

I do have a disc for a hard install from my last mac laptop I think but even then I'm not entirely sure it's compatible or at what point I would insert the disc to begin the install as it never prompts me to do so.

To make matters worse, I accidentally restored my internal drive to the base operating system, though I was finally able to enable journal (extended) and renamed it to macintosh HD where I'm at least able to get back to having the option of installing an os x. Just hope it doesn't give me grief later on.

Please help. I am so tired and confused

 

[Bruno09]

Which iMac model exactly : mid, or late 2009 ?

(the maximum OS for the mid-2009 models is El Capitan, Sierra for the late-2009 models).

Click /About this Mac

Don't worry, since you have a Mac laptop, you will be able to fix your problem, anyway.

 

[Lisawall]

Which iMac model exactly : mid, or late 2009 ?

(the maximum OS for the mid-2009 models is El Capitan, Sierra for the late-2009 models).

Click /About this Mac

Don't worry, since you have a Mac laptop, you will be able to fix your problem, anyway.

[doublepost=1494428464][/doublepost]Im not sure if its mid or late 2009, and I dont have the option to click about this mac. my laptop is not working which is why i bought another one

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Find another Mac to borrow and create a USB installer using DiskMaker:
http://diskmakerx.com

 

[Fishrrman]

I'll second Mr. Brightside's reply above a THE BEST course of action for you.

What Mac does your mom have?
What version of the OS is on it?

Which Mac laptop do you have (even if not working)?
What version of the OS came with it?
Did it by any chance come with an installer DVD?

You should be able to use any version of the OS -after- 10.6.2 for a late-2009 iMac (I welcome correction by others if that info is wrong).

I'm going to -guess- that this iMac originally came with a DVD that had a copy of the installer on it. Did the seller give you any DVD's with it? (perhaps not)

You need to find or make an OS installer.
It doesn't really matter which version of the installer at this point.
It can even be an "older version" of the OS.

The object is to:
1. Get ahold of a working OS (on either a DVD or a USB flash drive installer)
2. Boot from the installer
3. Re-initialize the iMac's internal hard drive
4. Install a clean copy of the OS onto it.
5. Get an account established for yourself so that you can boot the Mac and "get to the finder".

We really need answers to the above questions before we can help much further.

The easiest way to do this would be to go to ebay and buy a USB flashdrive with a copy of the installer of your choice pre-installed onto it (such as El Capitan).
NOTE: Some will recommend against doing so, as it is a method UNapproved by Apple. But again, often this "is just the easiest way" to get what you need.

IF you can obtain a copy of the installer, you can use either "DiskMaker X" or "Install Disk Creator" to create a bootable USB flash drive. Both are free and easy to use.

IF you try to create a bootable flash drive, I recommend AT LEAST a 16gb flash drive to start with.