Macbook without HD, no OS X, no download option

[haaalp]

Back story:

I recently purchased a 2010 MBP for a couple of beers worth of $$ and replaced the charging port for a few more beers worth. To my surprise, the battery looks to be in relatively good health. I have no idea how long it has been stored empty, but hopefully I'll be able to see the battery diagnostics once I get an OS running. The person selling claimed the HD for security reasons. I bought the device for my partner to use for basic computing. Nothing special. I was also interested in the challenge of fixing it, because I know they can be relatively easy to fix.

Current status:

Computer turns on, battery appears to be holding a charge, and I've got a couple 128GB SSD's laying around. I'm trying to install an OS but really scratching my head as to how this is done. Right now, the MBP chimes and after a brief moment a file folder with a ? appears.

Additional tools:

I have a 2015 MBP which wants nothing to do with the older OS's, and a 2009 MP running 10.9.5. I tried using my backup boot drive from my MP plugged in via firewire in target disk mode, but the nothing happened. The only thing that showed up on the screen is the firewire logo. It may be possible the firewire port is damaged, but I doubt that.

Attempting a boot disk:

On my 2015 MBP, I was able to download Yosemite through the app store, and following some terminal commands that I found online, it appears to have actually made it into an installer on an SD card. After plugging the 128GB SSD into an external enclosure, I thought I would be able to use that installer to create a boot drive, and after clicking the installer, it "installed" in on the SSD. It took about 10 minutes, and reset my system.

Boot disk doesn't boot:

The current state of the new SSD boot disk is that it does not show up under startup disk in system prefs. and when I click on it (still says untitled), there are a few hidden files and a folder that says OS X install data. The overall file size is only 222 MB, which suggests that I had only downloaded an upgrade and do not have the original base OS.

Now what?

Can someone either tell me where I can get a base OS software downloaded and installed, or point in the right direction? I can't believe the hardware issue was so easy to fix, but the software has taken me way too long for what the system is even worth. Most online tutorials simply say, hold down command R and download the software. Because this is a 2010, I guess that's not built into the BIOS. It's extremely frustrating.

All help is appreciated!

 

[Fishrrman]

For what follows, I suggest you "work from" the 2009 MPB.

I recommend trying either El Capitan or Low Sierra (10.12).

Here are URLs through which you may be able to get El Cap thru the app store:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886
https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

Try these URLs to get Low Sierra thru the app store:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/macos-sierra/id1127487414?mt=12

Following through on these links -should- download installer apps for one or the other into the applications folder on your 2009 drive.

OK, once you have the installer app IN the applications folder, your next step is to get a USB flashdrive. 8gb may work, but I usually use 16gb.

Use disk utility to ERASE IT to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

Now, download THE APPROPRIATE VERSION of DiskMaker X from here:
https://diskmakerx.com

With a few clicks of the mouse, you can use DiskMaker to create a bootable version of the OS installer on the flashdrive. Again, YOU NEED THE RIGHT VERSION of DiskMaker to correspond to the version of the OS you want.

Now, take the flashdrive installer to the 2010 MBP (this assumes the SSD has already been installed, and is there "waiting").

Boot to the flashdrive by holding down the option key at boot until the startup manager appears. Then select the flashdrive and hit return.

Do you get a good boot into the flashdrive?

If so, BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE, do this:
a. If the OS installer is open, quit it.
b. open disk utility
c. ERASE the internal SSD to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format
d. quit disk utility and re-open the installer

Will the installer put a fresh copy of the OS on the drive now? It will involve a few reboots and take some time.

If the install was successful, you'll see the setup screen eventually.

 

[haaalp]

Hey Fisherman, thanks for all of this. I didn't get it until now, but looks like you really went out of your way to explain the situation. I'll have to pay it forward somehow!

But anyway, that project got put on the backburner and I'm starting it up again. I'll let you know how it turns out...

Randy

For what follows, I suggest you "work from" the 2009 MPB.

I recommend trying either El Capitan or Low Sierra (10.12).

Here are URLs through which you may be able to get El Cap thru the app store:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886
https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?mt=12

Try these URLs to get Low Sierra thru the app store:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/macos-sierra/id1127487414?mt=12

Following through on these links -should- download installer apps for one or the other into the applications folder on your 2009 drive.

OK, once you have the installer app IN the applications folder, your next step is to get a USB flashdrive. 8gb may work, but I usually use 16gb.

Use disk utility to ERASE IT to "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format".

Now, download THE APPROPRIATE VERSION of DiskMaker X from here:
https://diskmakerx.com

With a few clicks of the mouse, you can use DiskMaker to create a bootable version of the OS installer on the flashdrive. Again, YOU NEED THE RIGHT VERSION of DiskMaker to correspond to the version of the OS you want.

Now, take the flashdrive installer to the 2010 MBP (this assumes the SSD has already been installed, and is there "waiting").

Boot to the flashdrive by holding down the option key at boot until the startup manager appears. Then select the flashdrive and hit return.

Do you get a good boot into the flashdrive?

If so, BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE, do this:
a. If the OS installer is open, quit it.
b. open disk utility
c. ERASE the internal SSD to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format
d. quit disk utility and re-open the installer

Will the installer put a fresh copy of the OS on the drive now? It will involve a few reboots and take some time.

If the install was successful, you'll see the setup screen eventually.