Hbaigis
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Macbook stuck at OSX Utilities screen on startup

So I have a 2009 MBP that was experiencing trouble (It would not wake up from sleep sometimes without being restarted), so I tried to erase all of the contents and reinstall osx. I attempted this a few months ago and got to the point where I had erased all the contents. However, I got stuck because on startup I see the OSX Utilities page with four options -- to restore from time machine backup, to reinstall OS X, to get Help online, and Disk Utility. Regarding the first option, I don't have a time machine backup for this laptop and would just like to start from scratch. And when I try to reinstall OS X and set up OS X Mavericks, the system cannot verify my eligibility for the installation. I get an error that shows "An error occurred while preparing this installation. Try running this application again." Each time I try to install OS X, I get this error! When I try to restore my OS X Base System disk to my hard drive by using the OS X Base System as a source and my Macintosh HD hard drive as a destination, I get an error that shows "The startup disk can't be used as a restore source". I'm so confused about how to proceed with my computer without going to the apple store. Any help?!!!

 

Thanks so much!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 22, 2014 6:54 AM

Close
Hbaigis

Q: Macbook stuck at OSX Utilities screen on startup

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Dec 22, 2014 8:41 AM in response to Hbaigis
    Level 9 (72,268 points)
    iTunes
    Dec 22, 2014 8:41 AM in response to Hbaigis
    When I try to restore my OS X Base System disk to my hard drive by using the OS X Base System as a source and my Macintosh HD hard drive as a destination, I get an error that shows "The startup disk can't be used as a restore source".

     

    Are you getting this when booted off the DVD that came with the computer? If so, try Disk Utility/Repair Disk, and the erase and reformat again with MAC OS Extended (Journaled) and Option GUID.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Dec 22, 2014 9:09 AM in response to Hbaigis
    Level 8 (49,522 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 22, 2014 9:09 AM in response to Hbaigis

    If you have your original System Install DVD, use that. Install its original OS, and then upgrade to Mavericks or Yosemite.

     

    If you no longer have your original System Install DVD, purchase a replacement from Apple. The cost is reasonable ($20 - $25 or so). You will need your MBP's serial number: MacBook Pro: How to find the serial number