Macbook air 2017 keeps giving an error on fresh installation of Sierra

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Level 1

4 points

Macbook air 2017 keeps giving an error on fresh installation of Sierra

TLDR: Completely erased disk, new installation for macOS via Internet recovery mode keeps giving an error asking to restart the application, last one was “use purchases page”. How do I get the proper os back.

I boot camp installed windows on my MacBook Air 2017 a few hours ago. Upon installation windows was setup but right after I logged in, I accidentally cancelled the Apple software downloads.

Since then, it wouldn't let me change to macOS so after reading on the Internet I went into internet recovery and erased the disks mac and windows as I don't care about the data on the mac) in an attempt to reinstall macOS.

But now the installation of macOS gives an error saying I should retry as an error occurred. The disk utility has given a couple errors about some mac partition being corrupted but after erasing and restarting multiple times, I have gotten rid of that. Currently there is only one partition on the disk that I have made and named it Mac I am in Internet recovery and I can't figure out what else I can do.

Please help.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Jan 23, 2023 12:21 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

250,181 points

Jan 23, 2023 12:37 AM in response to sunraj64

What Format is it?

Sierra would require MacOS Extended Journaled, not APFS.

Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Command (⌘)-R

Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

Shift-Option-⌘-R

Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk

If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.

3. Install macOS

After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:

Choose Reinstall macOS (or Reinstall OS X) from the Utilities window.
Click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to choose your disk and begin installation.
If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. If it doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk.

Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4

If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:

Command-R is still the recommended way to start up from macOS Recovery. This combination makes sure that the installation isn't associated with your Apple ID, which is important if you're selling or giving away your Mac.
Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 2

sunraj64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 23, 2023 1:55 AM in response to BDAqua

I don't have access to any macs at the moment so this solution is out of the picture and any os downloads from mac's internet recovery mode is failing me too.

Anything else that would be worth a shot?

Edit: How to download macOS - Apple Support on this link, scrolling down and downloading the sierra dmg on a windows pc, if i move that to a usb drive and plug it in my mac would it be of any use?

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Answer 3

sunraj64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 23, 2023 12:53 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply. When you ask for the format I assume you are asking about the format I choose when I am in internet recovery and erase/partition the disk in which case I choose Macos extended (journaled).

I have used big sur on this Macbook earlier fyi. I have retried installing new copy of Sierra via internet recovery a couple times more since the post and it still goes into "-399 seconds remaining" before saying "An error occured" and restart the installation.

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Answer 4

sunraj64 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 23, 2023 1:40 AM in response to BDAqua

That seems to also go into internet recovery or simply do nothing and continues with normal boot which leads to the folder logo with a question mark. I suppose it'd help to know that my left option key sometimes registered as pressed as an issue with the keyboard so if there's some way to completely bypass that I could retry this.

Question: Is there any way for me to download the OS to a USB drive and then plug that in to my mac to do the install?

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