Fresh High Sierra install from USB fails

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Fresh High Sierra install from USB fails

Hi everybody,

Earlier this year my MB Pro Early 2015 started to slow down and eventually freeze on login. I brought it in for service to the retailer who unsuccessfully tried to solve the problem with a software update. Neither did reinstalling Mojave at home. Therefore, I decided to wipe the hard drive and downgrade to High Sierra. Unfortunately, repeated attempts to reinstall Mojave or High Sierra from USB have failed.

The system will boot from USB, and I can start the installation process. Once the system reboots to finish the installation from the internal disk, however, it will slow down and eventually abort. You can check my install log on Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QHDG1mvhq8sq4sHEi18sKFjbuLXnmZ6V. (Sorry, I have no idea what part of the document would be most relevant.)

Disk Utility's First Aid does not identify any problems. Neither dies booting in diagnosis mode return any problems (reference code ADP000). Does anybody have an idea what's causing this behavior?

All input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dag

Macbook (2015 or later)

Posted on Jan 19, 2019 11:52 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

dagtann Author

Level 1

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Jan 21, 2019 12:21 PM in response to dialabrain

Disk Utility only offered AFPS partition schemes. Notwithstanding, since all installation/recovery variants resulted the exact same error, I believe we are dealing with a hardware problem.n So, I took the machine back to the retailer today. This could be the first time ever an extended warranty pays off. ;)

Thank you for your help!

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Answer 2

dagtann Author

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Jan 20, 2019 6:15 AM in response to dialabrain

Unfortunately, internet recovery didn't solve the problem. Mojave downloaded just fine, but installation again failed on reboot. So, neither the USB drives nor the installation image were corrupt. Are there any other options I am unaware of?

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

122,549 points

Jan 20, 2019 6:47 AM in response to dagtann

Other than having a replacement drive which you didn't say you had I can't think of anything. When you erased the drive did you format the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) case-insensitive / GUID partition scheme?

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Answer 4

dagtann Author

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Jan 20, 2019 1:08 AM in response to dagtann

Update: I just tried a different USB drive with the same result: The installation process slows down and ultimately fails. Could this be a hardware failure?

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

122,549 points

Jan 20, 2019 2:29 AM in response to dagtann

Have you tried Internet Recovery Mode? See: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/02/25/how-to-start-up-your-mac-in-internet-recovery-mode/

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Answer 6

dagtann Author

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Jan 20, 2019 2:34 AM in response to dialabrain

Thank you, I didn't know about that mode. I'll try it out and report back.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

122,549 points

Jan 20, 2019 2:34 AM in response to dagtann

You're welcome.

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Answer 8

dialabrain

Level 10

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Jan 21, 2019 12:25 PM in response to dagtann

You're welcome. The reason there were only APFS options available is probably because the Disk Utility "View" option wasn't set to "Show All Volumes".

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Answer 9

dagtann Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 21, 2019 12:32 PM in response to dialabrain

Good to know. Thanks again!

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Fresh High Sierra install from USB fails

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