Reinstall system 10.11

I have been trying to install system OS X El Capitan (10.11) on a MacBook Pro Hi resolution-17 inch 2.6 GHz, model number A1229, that I erased with Disk Utility. The computer is connected to the internet by a cord plugged into the Wi-Fi router. After I type in the Apple ID and Password, I get the error message “An unexpected error occurred while signing in. The server gave an error during download: 403 Forbidden.”

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Dec 8, 2023 2:29 PM

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Posted on Dec 8, 2023 6:10 PM

Try using Command + Option + R which should allow you to access the installer without needing to authenticate with an AppleID. However, even this will likely fail because we have been seeing lots of reports over the past few months where people are unable to reinstall macOS through the online installers since Apple may have turned those servers off. Plus you may need to set the system date to 2017 if you get past that point where you may receive other errors which may be misleading since they may be referencing an expired certificate for the installer.


If you have access to another Mac from 2007 to 2015, then you can use it to create a bootable macOS 10.11 USB installer:

Create a bootable installer - Apple Support


Otherwise, you will need to use your OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard retail upgrade DVD so that you can get macOS 10.6 installed & fully updated. Then you will be able to install macOS 10.11.


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 8, 2023 6:10 PM in response to Arjuna108

Try using Command + Option + R which should allow you to access the installer without needing to authenticate with an AppleID. However, even this will likely fail because we have been seeing lots of reports over the past few months where people are unable to reinstall macOS through the online installers since Apple may have turned those servers off. Plus you may need to set the system date to 2017 if you get past that point where you may receive other errors which may be misleading since they may be referencing an expired certificate for the installer.


If you have access to another Mac from 2007 to 2015, then you can use it to create a bootable macOS 10.11 USB installer:

Create a bootable installer - Apple Support


Otherwise, you will need to use your OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard retail upgrade DVD so that you can get macOS 10.6 installed & fully updated. Then you will be able to install macOS 10.11.


Jan 2, 2024 12:54 PM in response to caneta3d

A1229 appears to be MBPro 17" (Late-2007) model. If you want to use a CD/DVD, then you will need to use the OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard retail upgrade DVD which has the picture of a Snow Leopard on it if you want to use it to install macOS 10.11.


caneta3d wrote:

Did not work , always say must connect no internet

What happens though when you use Command + Option + R? Does it still ask for your AppleID? Apple's documentation is not entirely clear on this or what versions of macOS it would apply. Or does it actually start to load the installer?

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Reinstall system 10.11

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