Can't install macOS via internet nor bootable USB (HELP)

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Level 1

4 points

Can't install macOS via internet nor bootable USB (HELP)

Hi, sorry for my english in advance but i need your help.

I have a 2015 Macbook Pro (A1502) with 128GB storage running Sierra 10.12 and wanted to upgrade the SSD so i tried to install macOS from the app store onto my new SSD but due some software issues i wasn't able to find or download any macOS.

I booted into recovery mode and decided to do a fresh install on the internal SSD first so i erased the internal SSD and started (reinstall Sierra) of the internet after checking the logs i found an error saying (couldn't mount dmg error code 110) redownloaded OS and same issue! shutted down my mac and started again pressing cmd + R heard the chime but my screen stayed black no back apple light nothing! did NVRAM and SMC reset but nothing has changed.

After many attmpts i get working but i discovered that in order to display anything i need to (turn it on - wait for chime - close the lid and open it to turn the screen) otherwise the screen would stay off! anyway after it turns on i got a flashing symbol (white folder with qestion mark)

when getting into recovery i got globe logo asking me to sign to wifi network to use internet recovery but as soon as i get (starting internet recovery) message it goes back to asking for wifi dispite being connected.

my last attmpt was to create a bootable recovery USB installer which i made but it does't show bootable volume only getting (globe logo with wifi network)

I'd appreciated any help i can get.

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Apr 11, 2023 12:05 PM

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Answer 1

Ghost_Leader Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 12, 2023 6:50 AM in response to BDAqua

BDAqua wrote:

It's some other issue many years older Macs can use Internet for restore.

Could it be related to a slow internet connection or region issue?

A couple of problems with Apple's method are Clock being out of sync or no DNS numbers...

https://osxdaily.com/2012/07/04/set-system-time-mac-os-x-command-line/

https://osxdaily.com/2015/06/02/change-dns-command-line-mac-os-x/

Unfortunatley i can't do anything on my macbook since i can't load the recovery mode and tools such as command line.

i can tell you when i turn on my macbook i hear the chime and i get a flashing icon like this one:

I believe it means no OS is found, i just want to get it running :( do you think i could use an external USB adpater for SSD and plug it on a working macbook and download macOS Sierra (the latest version installed on my macbook before erasing the SSD) via app store then install the SSD back into my macbook pro? shouldn't that be enough to get rid of the flashing folder icon?

one more thing can i use a later macbook model i.e Macbook Pro 2019 or 2018 to install macOS Sierra on the external SSD? or prehaps installing macOS Monterey instead? will this work on my 2015 macbook pro?

sorry for the many question and thank you again!

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Apr 11, 2023 5:23 PM in response to Ghost_Leader

What format is the Hard Drive?

Sierra & High Sierra would require MacOS Extended Journaled, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, & Monterey can handle 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

Of course you may need to make a USB installer...

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support...

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Apr 11, 2023 7:28 PM in response to Ghost_Leader

Correct, & it has to be aMac that can run the OS you're shooting for.

See if you can get the 10.11 DMG...

How to download macOS - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?ls=1&mt=12

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Apr 12, 2023 6:27 AM in response to Ghost_Leader

It's some other issue many years older Macs can use Internet for restore.

A couple of problems with Apple's method are Clock being out of sync or no DNS numbers...

https://osxdaily.com/2012/07/04/set-system-time-mac-os-x-command-line/

https://osxdaily.com/2015/06/02/change-dns-command-line-mac-os-x/

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Apr 12, 2023 10:08 AM in response to Ghost_Leader

No go on the 2018/2019 MBP, the lower limits are either 10.13.6 or 10.5.7, it may work to create a bootable USB stick version by restoring the 10.11 DMG to a USB stick...

How to download macOS - Apple Support

https://itunes.apple.com/app/os-x-el-capitan/id1147835434?ls=1&mt=12

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

I wonder if your KB is working> Do you have a wired USB KB to try?

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Apr 11, 2023 7:02 PM in response to Ghost_Leader

Have you tried...

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

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Answer 7

Ghost_Leader Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 11, 2023 6:55 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for the reply, my problem is my internal SSD is completely erased and i can't boot into macOS Recovery when pressing Command + R all i get is spinning globe symbol asking for me to login into WiFi network.

How do you make a bootable macOS installer if you don't have access to a Mac? i tried using windows but it didn't work.

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Answer 8

Ghost_Leader Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 11, 2023 7:22 PM in response to BDAqua

Yes, i have tried all the combination above and all leads me into the screen of the spinning globe.

i believe my solution is to create a working bootable macOS installer but i can't find an official way to make it if you don't have another mac device.

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Answer 9

Ghost_Leader Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 12, 2023 6:14 AM in response to BDAqua

Thank you so much for the links, i have yet to find a Mac device to create a bootable USB, in the mean time since i have a major issue with macOS Recovery mode and i can't even use internet recovery! is it possible that my 2015 macbook pro is no longer support internet recovery? or is it a hardware issue?

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Apr 11, 2023 7:30 PM in response to Ghost_Leader

See if Niel's post helps...

HOW DO I CREATE A MACOS BOOT USB - Apple Community

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Can't install macOS via internet nor bootable USB (HELP)

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