A software update loop

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Level 1

8 points

A software update loop

My 2018 MacBook Pro just came back after I had sent it in to fix a broken keyboard.

At first, I could not start it, just getting and endless "A software update is required to use this startup disk".

I brought it back to the shop where I had bought it and they managed to reinstall the OS though I am not sure which version. All seemed good until I tried to restore the last backup from time machine.

The backup seemed to have worked, but now I am back to above loop.

The shop I bought it from cannot help. I live in a small village in Vietnam and they actually have no clue.

I really would like to be able to use my rather expensive laptop again, including having access to the backup.

Thank you for your help in advance.

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Jul 20, 2019 9:34 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Jul 21, 2019 1:48 PM in response to hanno227

Hello hanno227,

I understand that you’ve been in a software update loop since getting your Mac repaired and the place of purchase reinstalled the OS, but upon restoring with you recent Time machine backup, the issue returned.

Since the software update loop wasn’t there when the OS was reinstalled, there’s something with that particular Time Machine backup that is causing this. I recommend reinstalling the OS and reinstalling an earlier Time Machine backup or reinstall the OS and add the apps and content that you need.

Here’s how to reinstall macOS: How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

You can restore back up files in other ways using the steps here: Other ways to back up and restore files - Apple Support

You can choose to restore specific files from your Time Machine backup using the steps in the section titled “restore specific files” here: Restore your Mac from a backup - Apple Support

If you need additional help, please use the “Contact Support” option in the upper right here: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support

Take care.

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Answer 2

Jul 26, 2019 9:42 AM in response to hanno227

Why do you need to point to a backup older than today?

If you do a full restore, that overwrites the good copy of MacOS you installed from scratch with a bad copy from before.

macerror -24

Mac OS error -24 (closErr): I/O System Errors

You need a fresh copy of macOS to get unstuck. If the backup from today is unusable because it is EMPTY, that can be solved, just ask.

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Answer 3

Jul 21, 2019 2:07 PM in response to hanno227

MacOS does not modify itself. Any customization is done by using Preference files.

So when your re-Install MacOS from scratch, you get a new perfect copy, BUT: Any firmware updates or related modifications will be certain to happen as you do the Re-Install.

Then you can use Setup Assistant (at first run) instead of creating a new User, and point it at your backups to restore your userid, your settings, and your added third-party Applications.

If you miss that opportunity, you can use Migration Assistant later to bring back your users, settings and applications.

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Answer 4

hanno227 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 25, 2019 9:51 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you everybody for your help, but I am still stuck.

I managed to get the laptop running after erasing everything, installing Mc Os and upgrading to Mojave.

However, migration assistant is of no help as it does not let me point to an older backup, only the latest one (from today).

Restarting the Mac with command and R gives me the option to restore from time machine but about a third way through, it stops with a fatal error, error 24, but a search on Internet brings up nothing. This is happening with every backup I have tried.

I guess I will have to live with a clean install, download all previous apps again, and probably lose a lot of stuff?

Kind of defeats the purpose of using time machine....

Best regards,

Hanno

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A software update loop

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