How Much To Reinstall MacBook OS on 2013 MacBook Air?

I have a 2013 MacBook Air that used to run Windows, but it’s really slow now. I’d like to reinstall macOS.

I’ve tried almost every local reinstall method(cmd+R, alt+cmd+R,shift+alt+cmd+R), but it always gets stuck on the 5101F Internet Recovery error or 'The installer information on the recovery server is damaged'. I’m thinking of taking it to a computer repair shop in Sydney — does anyone know roughly how much it might cost to fix or reinstall macOS? I’d like to know if it’s worth repairing.

Comments

  • +6

    Make a bootable version of Big Sur on a USB drive https://support.apple.com/en-au/101578

    Perhaps this link if you don't have another Mac handy https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-big-sur-full-installer-databas…

  • google? https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/e31dvx/the_insta…
    PopsSMITE
    Cake icon

    6y ago
    Because I had a similar problem. I fixed it though. To anyone here in the future: you might have to change the computer's date in terminal. June 2019 worked for me but it depends on when your MacOS version came out.

    I only did recovery on pro model so not sure if that works

  • +1

    I own a late 2013 Macbook pro, which uses similar chipset to your Air (Haswell / 4th gen Intel)

    and let's face it —- the official support has ended on BigSur, it's already 12 years old, and it is sluggish even on macOS.

    and in order to update to later versions, you'll need to use opencore legacy patcher, which can be problematic, hence totally not worth going into the shops, as I think they'll just update to BigSur and you'll need to do the rest yourself anyway.

    If you really want to try it,
    https://support.apple.com/en-au/102662

    download anything below BigSur, I think Sierra 10.12 would be the easiest (and supported too), as you won't need to download via App Store

    create boot-able usb using this guide:
    https://support.apple.com/en-au/101578

    then boot the installer USB, format your SSD, install it per usual.

  • I tried this command and it work now!

    nvram IASUCatalogURL=https://swscan.apple.com/content/catalogs/others/index-10.16seed-10.16-10.15-10.14-10.13-10.12-10.11-10.10-10.9-mountainlion-lion-snowleopard-leopard.merged-1.sucatalog

    1. Woah
    • +4

      OP should probably take it to an antique store to get it appraised.

      • Yeah could sell for ewaste

  • +3

    It really depends what you want to do with it. If you just need it as a device to leave next to the couch for basic browsing or look up recipes I'd probably look at installing ubuntu so you at least get security patches.

    • +1

      Good idea! Ubuntu would be a better choice here, I'll take a try

  • I’ve done this recently using open core legacy patcher to install more recent, non-supported OS.
    There are a couple of issues.
    The system won’t connect to Apple for internet recovery as the security certificates are all expired (I think that was the reason test8888 suggested changing dates).
    If you make a USB bootable Sierra/BigSur drive you can install locally, then upgrade using Open core legacy.
    My 11in air is running Mojave, from memory, which was recent enough to support the apps I wanted to run.

    • +2

      Same. Mydeal were selling a bunch of MacBook airs with 8gb ram . $80 a piece delivered with coupon , as they were being sold “for parts”. I bought 3 .

      First was cosmetically perfect but dead.
      Second was working but beaten up (so did a MB transplant into the first)
      Third had a dead battery (which I swapped out with the second )

      So I ended up with 2 MacBook airs in excellent condition .

      Used open legacy to update them to Sequoia.

      Also updated a 2013 iMac 21” with a 500gb ssd and ram to 12gb (forget they use ddr4 and only had a spare 8gb stick on hand) and updated os to Sequoia

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