Bob Novy
Level 1 (43 points)
Desktops

Q: Why does recovery fail?

Recovery still fails, on my iMac with Mac OS X v10.11.3.  When I depress [Command]+R at start-up, my iMac starts slowly.  Worse still, it Never finishes.  :-(  [I must throw a switch on a Power Supply that feeds my iMac.]

 

Does anyone else see this?  What can I do, please?  Thank you.


                      Sincerely yours,

                   Dr. Robert A. Novy

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), 4 GB of RAM

Posted on Feb 10, 2016 7:58 AM

by keg55,Solvedanswer
keg55 keg55
Level 6 (8,368 points)
Mac OS X
A:

You have a mid-2011 Mac. That should have come pre-installed with OS X Lion at a minimum so Internet Recovery should be possible. But if it's not, you could re-download El Capitan from the App Store / Purchases tab. After you download it, copy the Install OS X El Capitan.app file from /Applications before your start the reinstall. This way you don't have to keep downloading it. Try shutting down your iMac; then power it back on. And when you hear the startup tone, press Command+Option+R. It seems like the timing isn't hitting just right when you restart. I don't know if you have a wired keyboard or a wireless one. If it's wireless, you might have to keep trying until you time it just right.

 

Reinstalling will always create the Recovery HD for that OS X version (10.7 and above). I can't guarantee this will fix your specific issue.

Posted on Feb 17, 2016 7:48 AM

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Bob Novy

Q: Why does recovery fail?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by keg55,Apple recommended

    keg55 keg55 Feb 15, 2016 7:56 AM in response to Bob Novy
    Level 6 (8,368 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 15, 2016 7:56 AM in response to Bob Novy

    Restarting into Recovery Mode (Command+R) and Internet Recovery (Command+Option+R) is always slow loading. If you're saying you have to wait over an hour and you NEVER see the OS X Utilities menu from Recovery, then there's a problem that might be the Recovery HD is corrupt. If it's not present or corrupt, then Internet Recovery takes over.

     

    You can try re-downloading OS X El Capitan from the App Store/Purchases tab and reinstall it over itself to recreate or write over the Recovery HD. Do a back up first. Reinstalling OS X over itself will not harm your data, user accounts, settings or apps. It just affects the OS.

  • by Bob Novy,

    Bob Novy Bob Novy Feb 14, 2016 2:40 PM in response to keg55
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 14, 2016 2:40 PM in response to keg55

    Yes, even after over-night (while I am asleep), my iMac hangs.  Should I care to Freeze my iMac, [Command]+R is a way to-go.  Thank you, keg55.  :-)

  • by Bob Novy,

    Bob Novy Bob Novy Feb 15, 2016 8:09 AM in response to keg55
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 15, 2016 8:09 AM in response to keg55

    Only after much-time, I _may_ try to re-install El Capitan, keg55.  I _appreciate_ your help!  :-)

     

    But who's to say that Recovery is _fixed_ in the fresh copy of El Capitan?  I just-might Wait until the next version of the Mac OS gets released?

  • by Bob Novy,

    Bob Novy Bob Novy Feb 15, 2016 8:23 AM in response to keg55
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 15, 2016 8:23 AM in response to keg55

    Hello again, keg55.  I _just_ depressed [Command]+[Option]+R at start-up.

     

    But  NOTHING  SPECIAL  HAPPENED.  (Just the usual startup.)  What might you suggest now, please? 

     

    I _could_ re-install El Capitan, but after a few hours, who can promise-me that _both_ Recovery _&_ Internet Recovery will be fixed?  <Frustration?>  Thank you.

  • by keg55,Solvedanswer

    keg55 keg55 Feb 17, 2016 7:48 AM in response to Bob Novy
    Level 6 (8,368 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 17, 2016 7:48 AM in response to Bob Novy

    You have a mid-2011 Mac. That should have come pre-installed with OS X Lion at a minimum so Internet Recovery should be possible. But if it's not, you could re-download El Capitan from the App Store / Purchases tab. After you download it, copy the Install OS X El Capitan.app file from /Applications before your start the reinstall. This way you don't have to keep downloading it. Try shutting down your iMac; then power it back on. And when you hear the startup tone, press Command+Option+R. It seems like the timing isn't hitting just right when you restart. I don't know if you have a wired keyboard or a wireless one. If it's wireless, you might have to keep trying until you time it just right.

     

    Reinstalling will always create the Recovery HD for that OS X version (10.7 and above). I can't guarantee this will fix your specific issue.

  • by Drew Reece,Apple recommended

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Feb 15, 2016 8:38 AM in response to Bob Novy
    Level 5 (7,490 points)
    Notebooks
    Feb 15, 2016 8:38 AM in response to Bob Novy

    See this…

    Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery - Apple Support

    It lists models that support 'internet' recovery mode, double check that you have the model correct, it can be easy to mix them up…

    Identify the model of your iMac - Apple Support

     

    Internet recovery can take a long time to load - after all it is getting the recovery system from the internet. Have a good intent connection (avoid wifi if possible - use ethernet). You need to keep the keys held & retry if it boots normally, it can take a few attempts.

    OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

     

    Frankly you may be better off creating your own bootable USB installer from an OS X installer downloaded from the store…

    Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support

    Or use http://diskmakerx.com

    That will allow you to repair the disk & do the same things that recovery mode does.

     

     

    I can't say why your recovery mode is failing - a reinstall can fix these issues but it is impossible to tell why. Backup if you plan on reinstalling - normally it is fine, but a backup is a good idea.

  • by Bob Novy,

    Bob Novy Bob Novy Feb 17, 2016 7:55 AM in response to keg55
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 17, 2016 7:55 AM in response to keg55

    Hey keg55, Internet Recovery _does_ work, well.  [Especially nice is to use an iMac that is hard-wired to the Internet.]

     

    By the-way should this matter, happily I use TechTool Pro 8 v8.0.3 _almost_ weekly to keep my Macintosh HD _well_ in-order.  :-)