cbsepbp
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Mac OS X El Capitan wouldn't download, I tried re-starting, and then I get looping errors and can't get into my computer

I downloaded Mac OS X El Capitan and then tried to install it on my Macbook Air.  I had the installation running for several hours (while I was out of the house).  When I came back into the house, the installation was only at about 25%.  I tried to hit the restart button thinking it would cancel the installation and bring me back to the way the computer was.


Now I just get a series of looping messages, generally with three screens.  


1) The first message says "Your computer restarted because of a problem.   Press a key or wait..." 


2) The second screen I see is just the apple logo.


3) The third screen is a bunch of lines of text, the first one starting with "panic (cpu 3 caller"


Occasionally, instead of the apple logo, I'll get a circle with a line through it.   And there was a few minutes where I got a charging logo just sliding around the screen but pressing a key didn't do anything.   Other times pressing a key just started the same sequence over and over again.

 

I have looked up for help and the answers have included restarting using "cmd" + "R" (doesn't work for me) and also starting in safe mode. (By holding down shift- that doesn't work for me either.)  NOTHING works..  it seems like every solution involves bringing you back into the computer to fix the problem but I can't get even get the opportunity to log in.


Any ideas?  



Posted on Dec 23, 2015 11:29 PM

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cbsepbp

Q: Mac OS X El Capitan wouldn't download, I tried re-starting, and then I get looping errors and can't get into my computer

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Dec 24, 2015 12:04 AM in response to cbsepbp
    Level 10 (271,101 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2015 12:04 AM in response to cbsepbp

    Install or Reinstall OS X from Scratch

     

    Be sure you have backed up your files because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.

     

    Boot to the Recovery HD:

     

    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears.

     

    Erase the hard drive:

     

      1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.

     

      2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the

          left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.

     

      3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on

          the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on

          the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.

     

      4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.

     

    Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button.

     

    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible

               because it is three times faster than wireless.

     

    This should install the version of OS X that you had installed.

  • by cbsepbp,

    cbsepbp cbsepbp Dec 24, 2015 12:59 AM in response to cbsepbp
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2015 12:59 AM in response to cbsepbp

    Thanks!

     

    One question though,  am I unable to back up files now?  I have nothing backed up   is there a way for me to backup the files and then go through with this reset?   Recent position everything on my phone not enjoying the prospect of losing everything in my cpu in of top of that.     The directions above seem clear but don't know HOW to back studd up   any ideas?   Thanks again

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Dec 24, 2015 11:50 AM in response to cbsepbp
    Level 10 (271,101 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2015 11:50 AM in response to cbsepbp

    If you can access the hard drive in some way, then you can try to backup files. For example:

     

    1. Use Target Disk Mode to connect two Macs and transfer data.
    2. If the computer can be booted, then you can copy your files elsewhere.
    3. Use Disk Utility to create a clone of the drive onto another drive.
    4. Remove the drive, place in an external enclosure, and clone using another computer.

     

    However, if the computer is no longer bootable nor the drive accessible, then it's too late to backup.

  • by 20484paul,

    20484paul Dec 24, 2015 11:53 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Dec 24, 2015 11:53 AM in response to Kappy

    Screen #3 is a kernal panic