OS Installer Error out of disk space, won't start up

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OS Installer Error out of disk space, won't start up

I stupidly clicked on the update system software.

The installer started to install and ran out of disc space.

Now it stops on startup and will not get past the Black Apple logo, progress bar screen.

I can't get the Target disc mode to show up on my M1 laptop desktop? maybe that is the wrong cable?

I have files I can delete if I can get to the desktop or boot up off a disk.

Maybe thats it? I can create a bootable start up disc to access the desktop. I used to use a startup CD to do that in the past. ?

I am starting to do that but Mavericks is the software that came on the machine. Is there another OS I can try?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jul 13, 2023 07:58 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

BDAqua

Level 10

250,025 points

Jul 13, 2023 10:39 AM in response to bartenational

What cable are you using to which other Mac?

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

66,740 points

Jul 13, 2023 12:55 PM in response to bartenational

If the old Mac had macOS 10.12.6+ installed at some point, then you can try accessing Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to access the online macOS installer. If you can do that, then install macOS to an external USB3 SSD and boot from the external SSD to try to clear space on the internal...this is the simplest option for most people.

If you are really familiar with the command line, you can also delete files by booting into Recovery Mode. However, it is very easy to make a mistake deleting files using the command line so avoid the command line option if you don't know what you are doing.

Target Disk Mode requires the use of Thunderbolt if one of the Macs is running macOS 12.x+.

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Answer 3

Jul 13, 2023 11:23 AM in response to BDAqua

it is probably the wrong one. usb on one side and whatever that new connector is called. I probably need to buy an expensive apple one, this is an older macbook and a newer macbook

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,025 points

Jul 13, 2023 12:35 PM in response to bartenational

If I knew which exact MB the older one was, there may be a cheaper option than Apple.

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OS Installer Error out of disk space, won't start up

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