El Capitan. no packages were eligible for install.

Finally! worked for me to.

Had to disconnect wifi before setting date manually, then proceeded with the installation (from USB).

Back to business!

Thanks GolyApple!

These fixes didn't work for me. They bypassed the original error message but then I kept getting a lengthy, unintelligible error log. I tried creating an external boot disk with TransMac - same issues. After 5 days and many download/install/restart/repeat attempts (we have slow internet), I found this:

• Another reader suggests adding the Option key ⌥ to Command ⌘ -R keys when entering Recovery Mode. This means pressing Command⌘+ Option⌥+R (using all three fingers pressed at the same time.) This brings up OS X Internet Recovery. And forces your Mac to download its originally installed OS from Apple’s Servers

Fix Mac OS X El Capitan will not start up after update - AppleToolBox

AND IT WORKED!

This got me out of the painful install loop and allowed me to bypass the painful El Capitan OS X altogether. My 2010 Macbook automatically downloaded High Sierra instead and is now working fine.

Thought it might help the few others who aren't having success with the original fixes.

If anyone is still have issues after setting date to 2017, make sure you try this order of operations next:

reboot after failed install

once you're back in recovery, disable wifi

now open terminal and set date

now continue with installer

Thanks for that tip. Also you have to make sure you will disable WIFI not to change date automatically.

To do that press option key on keyboard and click wifi with your left button.

Thank find your WIFI network name and just underneath it, there will be new line called 'Disconnect from (your name) network.

Click that and hit restart. Make sure when Mac will reboot WIFI is still dibbled in top right corner.

Thx to all the suggestions here. I followed the directions without needing USB. i changed my date to a 2017 date as suggested and kept internet offline to successfully install el capitan. I was upgrading a computer from snow leopard. my computer did not allow me to "erase" my HD to install but I was able to install anyway.

I also found another youtube video that was helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5ANojBtn9w

Hey just wanted to say thanks - made that work today on an old mac from the old days - for anyone who didn't know - i put in "Date 0115124517" into terminal. just putting the numbers didn't work for me.

Can't thank you enough!!!

Mike

This is brilliant jmiers, this procedure helped a lot. I kept seeing that the problem had to do with the date change but had no context as to when to change it. To those who get to S6 and find still no joy at that point (as I did), try turning off the wifi again and checking the date in Terminal because the date reverted to current once wifi was turned back on (in my case). A slight variant and not sure what the connection, if any.

As many have stated here before, you need to disconnect your machine from the internet before you begin the routine.

Wi-fi off, ethernet cable disconnected, you're ready to go. I've upgraded 3 Mac Pros this way and they're all running like new.

Good luck to you!

Thanks for your help jmaiers, a lifesaver ! I had to do it a few times , being a Terminal rookie I literally only put the date not realising that it had to be followed by exit and return for the date to change. Finally I quit the set up assistant using command-q before shutting down which is useful for the new owner.

This was resolved. Bad hard drive!

Replaced the computer and resetting date to 2017 worked.

Thank you everyone for your help.

You can set any back dated date year 2007

Thanks for the message. I had been trying to upgrade a 2008 Macbook with an SSD drive but got stuck at that point

I used Terminal to change the date back to 2017 and it worked a treat! 👏

This works, EXCEPT, the Mac retains the Wi-Fi password and syncs the clock when you t

reboot. Turn off your home Wi-Fi or go out of range from the Wi-Fi network you used to download the install.

Setting the date to 2017 sorted the problem for me as well. Many thanks for your help

There are newer instructions and steps available in Apple installer page for use.

• How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan (10.11.6) - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886

There is a newer installer in the above; this also upgrades firmware.

newer installosxinstaller.pkg package within download site link

(this site content + link was recently updated 24 Oct 2019)