HELP!! OS install failed

[tvanacke]

I just got a used iMac with a completely wiped HD and I can't get any OS to install on it.

I don't have the install disks. I have a usb stick with a Mavericks installer on it that my buddy gave me. I can boot to it and after I initiate the install it fails about 5 seconds in "a recovery partition cannot be created".

After doing a little research I have found other threads suggesting there isn't enough space on the drive for the partition to be created so I tried resizing the partition but still get the fail.

After further search I have not been able to find anything new to try so I'm not sure where to go from here...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Mavericks never came on a USB stick and your buddy does not have a bootable version on whatever he gave you, and goodness knows what sight it came from originally. It would help if you provided the iMac specs. The hard drive has not been wiped just look at everything that is on it.

Depending mon the precise model, your best option may well to be purchase either Snow Leopard OS X.6 DVD from Apple Online, or if a later model OS X.7 Lion. Apple will send you a download code for Lion, however you will need an Apple ID to deal with the App Store.

When you have the DVD or whatever, boot from it and erase the hard drive. You cannot erase a drive you are booted from. If you are near an Apple Store, the Genius Bar may be able to erase and install an operating system, again depending on the model.