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Released on October 23, 2012. Core i5 or Core i7 Processor. Apple Fusion Drive.

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Cannot redownload Mountain Lion after SSD installation.

I installed an empty Samsung 830 SSD and 16GB of Kingston Ram into a Mac mini late 2012 i7 2,3. I never booted the original configuration which my have been a mistake.

I could not install Mountain Lion (ML) from a USB installer, even after the SSD had been initialized and formatted. I had to put the original HDD into an external enclosure, boot from it and then clone ML from the external drive to the installed SSD. This works woth both Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) and SuperDuper. CCC lets you create a recovery partition in addition to the ML partition.

However, when I try to re-download ML from the Mac App Store (honestly purchased) on the Mac mini late 2012, I get an incompatibility message. Also, the system still does not accept the ML USB installer.

Apparently, the Mac mini is not recognized by the Mac App store after the hardware changes (SSD + Ram).

What can I do to get the Mac app store to recognize my Mac mini?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Have you tried putting back the HD and try setting it up first with it, then use a external Firewire or USB3 enclosure to house the SSD to then copy the OS files across?

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No, I have not and I would rather not b/c I find the procedure pretty tedious and, most of all, I don't want to break anything. But I agree: if it were easy and risk-free that is the first thing I would try. Thanks.

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I fully understand it's a bear redoing things. Have you tried putting the HD into an external Firewire case to try doing it that way?

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I do not have a firewire enclosure. I used a USB 3 enclosure.

I have now reinstalled ML using the cmd-r recovery method. The Mac mini downloaded and installed ML 10.8.1 from Apple servers just fine.

However, the Mac mini is still not recognized. I cannot install ML 10.8.2. I don't get it!

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I suspect Apple is using the drives serial number as an ID on in this case the HD's so when you change it over to the SSD and you hadn't finished the install on the HD their systems were confused. I've noted downloaded App Store Apps need to be reverified when you switch HD's. So it appears Apple has likewise done this with the OS. At this point I see no way other than plugging in the HD in some way so it's seen.

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Heres a link to the latest version of Mountain Lion update: 10.8.2

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Hey! same thing happen to me with my new Mac mini, I even tried downloading it before the upgrade, and got a same message (not compatible)

Also couldn't boot via USB, what I did do was booted via recovery HD & reinstall ML over the Internet, it works. I'm using it with no problems, But I still can't download ML, I same error massage.

Hope this helps, cheers.

Mac mini 2012 2.3GHz i7, intel 128ssd 520 series, 16gb ram G.Skill,

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You cannot update to 10.8.2...

Apple has removed the version for all new macs...

It's all OK with your apple - wait for update...

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