User profile for user: Owndao
Owndao Author
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A simple recovery utility for USB solid state drives

How do I obtain an installer for High Sierra that is simply installed on a USB solid state thumb drive? Even back in 1984 one could make or obtain a plethora of useful diagnostic and disk repair utilities. Yes, this is UNIX now and a new disk format, but that should only make it clearer that Apple needs to provide a solution when ALL repair boot startups fail. I can’t even find and installer for High Sierra. No, I cannot by any means, afford to replace my Mac Pro.

Posted on Jul 31, 2019 10:32 AM

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User profile for user: Owndao
Owndao Author
User level: Level 1
32 points

Posted on Jul 31, 2019 12:14 PM

This is the 'simple' trail to just getting the High Sierra installer. I fear that after all of this that the 'Firmware Lock' which won't allow me to select the password field will give me problems.


(https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372) 'How to create a bootable installer for macOS'

(https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208969) 'How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra'

4. Download macOS High Sierra

For the strongest security and latest features, find out whether you can upgrade to macOS Mojave, the latest version of the Mac operating system.

--> If you still need macOS High Sierra, use this App Store link: Get macOS High Sierra.

  That got me to a place in the App Store application that I couldn't find with multiple searches. Once it downloads from the store, it will try to install. Stop this by quitting the High Sierra Installer from its menu.

Now you can go back to (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372) 'How to create a bootable installer for macOS' and continue.

I haven't attempted to install this on a thumb drive and finally be able to run 'Disk Utility' but I have a feeling I'm not finished asking questions.


Thank you for the assistance. I'll post the results if I can.

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User profile for user: Owndao
Owndao Author
User level: Level 1
32 points

Jul 31, 2019 12:14 PM in response to TheLittles

This is the 'simple' trail to just getting the High Sierra installer. I fear that after all of this that the 'Firmware Lock' which won't allow me to select the password field will give me problems.


(https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372) 'How to create a bootable installer for macOS'

(https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208969) 'How to upgrade to macOS High Sierra'

4. Download macOS High Sierra

For the strongest security and latest features, find out whether you can upgrade to macOS Mojave, the latest version of the Mac operating system.

--> If you still need macOS High Sierra, use this App Store link: Get macOS High Sierra.

  That got me to a place in the App Store application that I couldn't find with multiple searches. Once it downloads from the store, it will try to install. Stop this by quitting the High Sierra Installer from its menu.

Now you can go back to (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372) 'How to create a bootable installer for macOS' and continue.

I haven't attempted to install this on a thumb drive and finally be able to run 'Disk Utility' but I have a feeling I'm not finished asking questions.


Thank you for the assistance. I'll post the results if I can.

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User profile for user: Owndao
Owndao Author
User level: Level 1
32 points

Aug 3, 2019 8:53 PM in response to Kurt Lang

The firmware password cannot be removed by myself because both keyboard and mouse do not work on the passcode entry screen. The only solution that I have seen and remaining is to take it on a 2 hour drive to the nearest Apple Store or Apple service provider which for me is impossible as I am disabled. Apple support seemed to get a laugh as the told me they would not help as this $3000 machine is officially obsolete. Thank you for the try but the was the first thing I tried and it leaves the machine frozen. The same with running Disk Utility once it reaches a point in its diagnostics. Thank you to TheLittles but I'm afraid that All paths to keeping this machine running are being shot down by Apple security "improvements". The latest Mac Pro Is so far out of reach it may as well be called the Mac No. :)

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User profile for user: Kurt Lang
Kurt Lang
User level: Level 9
68,472 points

Aug 4, 2019 8:39 AM in response to Owndao

The firmware password cannot be removed by myself because both keyboard and mouse do not work on the passcode entry screen.

This seems to be a somewhat rare, but real problem. I've found other topics both in these forums and other sites where users cannot use their keyboard or mouse to type in the firmware password. They know it, but can't enter it.


Couple of things to try.


  1. Restart and hold down the Command+Option+P+R keys to reset the NVRAM. As long as the firmware isn't also blocking this procedure, the Mac should start to boot up, chime, and then go into restart mode again. Let go of the keys and see if you can now enter the password,
  2. Reset the SMC. Then restart and try again.
  3. Some are having luck by turning their Mac off and removing a stick or RAM, then booting into recovery mode. That allows them to finally enter their password and disable the firmware lock. Then turn the Mac off once again and reinstall the RAM.
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A simple recovery utility for USB solid state drives

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