Upgrade from 10.9.5 to 10.10.* without App Store

Question

I can't open the App Store, and I can't open software update. I've tried all the troubleshooting advice I can find online, but none of it solved my problem, so I figured an OS update was overdue. I'm hoping that will fix it.

I can't seem to update without the app store, though!
I ran sudo softwareupdate --install —all and restarted (sudo shutdown -r now), but "About this Mac" still tells me I'm on 10.9.5. (Again, clicking the "Software Update" button tries to launch software update, but fails.)
Now, when I run sudo softwareupdate —list it says, "No new software available."

Is there anything else I can try before I have to take it to the Mac store?

Answer 1

Get someone to download the installer from the App Store - just download it, don't install.

Apple documents how to create a bootable installer - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372 using any USB drive or even an SD card should your Mac have that slot.

• Plug that device in to your Mac.
• Remember to hold down the option key when your Mac starts up.
• Select the device.

One last thing, make sure you check your backup before installing. Time Machine is best. The upgrade isn't designed to have problems, but you never know.

Answer 2

I'd really consider trying to fix the existing OS long before exacerbating the situation by trying to force another over it.

1. Start with Disk Utility - Repair Disk Permissions & Verify Disk [startup from the Recovery partition, Cmd ⌘ R at the startup chime, if the Disk needs Repairing].

2. Again from the recovery partition, reset home folder permissions & ACLs, as per this answer - https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/163449/85275

   • Steps 1 & 2 can instead be performed using the freeware Onyx utility…

3. Run the latest combo updater for 10.9.5 - https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1760