OS X El Capitan dmg download that works for now?

Based on multiple user reports, the "no packages eligible for install" error and boot failures you're experiencing are almost certainly caused by expired installation certificates.

When you try to install El Capitan in 2026, the installer checks the date against Apple's certificate validity period. Since El Capitan DMG download was released in 2015, its certificates expired years ago. The solution is surprisingly simple:

Fix: Set Your Mac's Date Back in Time

1. During installation, you need to manually set the system date to when El Capitan's certificates were valid:

2. When you get to the installer screen showing the error, don't quit

3. Open Terminal from the Utilities menu in the menu bar

4. Enter this command: date 100123452015 (this sets the date to October 1, 2015)

5. Close Terminal and proceed with installation

This tricks the certificate validation and allows the installation to complete successfully.

There is a GitCode blog post offering a direct download link for Mac OS X El Capitan. This appears to be a personal repository sharing the installer.

What it offers:

1. Direct El Capitan DMG download

2. Simple installation instructions (drag to Applications folder)

3. No registration required according to the post

Caveats: This is a third-party source with no verification. You're downloading files at your own risk.