high sierra firmware error

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Level 1

8 points

high sierra firmware error

Hi, I try to upgrade to High Sierra from Sierra and I got "... an error occurred while verifying firmware". I have read couple of posts, but no one helped.

I have iMac 21,5 mid 2011, Boot ROM ver. IM121.0047.B23, SMC ver. 1.71f22, Journaled HFS+ HDD WDC 1TB (not original apple HDD). HS Installer is 5,23GB from 29 June 2018 from Appstore, it starts the HSierra installer, restarts one, showing apple loading, showing 45 minutes to finish install, do a restart, machine long BEEP, 4 times like ON/OFF switching, restart with showing apple loading, then error msg.

I checked the HDD for errors with Diskutil, no errors, I tried to do it also in safe mode, result is the same error.

Hope someone can help.

Txs!

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.12

Posted on Nov 20, 2019 1:05 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Nov 20, 2019 9:06 AM in response to PaloJano

That's a very old High Sierra installer and think it might have an expired installation certificate. Download a current version that should be available at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208969

Good luck...

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Answer 2

dot.com

Level 4

2,455 points

Nov 21, 2019 8:13 AM in response to PaloJano

You might want to read Howard Oakley article at https://eclecticlight.co/2018/10/31/which-efi-firmware-should-your-mac-be-using-version-3/ about firmware versions and see if that helps you figure out what is going on. He is a very knowledgeable Mac source about all kinds of Mac related issues and highly recommend reading his blog.

Good luck...

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

250,955 points

Nov 20, 2019 8:10 AM in response to PaloJano

Ouch, took me several tries, you'll end up with...

Boot ROM Version: 85.0.0.0.0

SMC Version (system): 1.71f22

When it finally works.

Did you apply all the Security Updates for HS?

I think you'll have to delete your Sec Upd-003 & download it again...

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL2004?locale=en_US

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

250,955 points

Nov 25, 2019 9:35 AM in response to PaloJano

OPPs, I forgot, I had another boot drive to edit it from, if you do not then you have to disable SIP I believe...

https://www.macworld.com/article/2986118/how-to-modify-system-integrity-protection-in-el-capitan.html

Is it correct when I think the root cause of the not able to upgrade to HighSierra is:

the mismatch between Boot ROM Version and Product Version ?

I'm thinking some past update didn't take, & likely it was the Boot ROM Firmware yes.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

250,955 points

Nov 24, 2019 9:09 AM in response to PaloJano

To apply later updates you may need to manipulate the systemversion.plist...

https://x704.net/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8429&p=112234#p112234

Security updates are supposedly inclusive of all former Security Updates for that version of the OS, so may only need to Apply the Last One & the 10.12.6 Combo update...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacOS_Sierra

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Answer 6

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 24, 2019 9:48 AM in response to dot.com

Just an update on the situation:

patching up to 10.12.6 did not worked
Tryed to install Yosemite, did not work
Started Internet Recovery did work, having now Snow Leopard working

And the Boot ROM Version stayed as before IM 121.0047.B23 and next try of High Sierra Installation ended with the same error on verifying firmware :-(

Next try: Started Internet Recovery and choosing imediately "Transfer Information from a Disc", choosing Time Machine Backup and restoring....looks like 10 hours to finish the restore...I will come back once I have any result.

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

250,955 points

Nov 25, 2019 8:31 AM in response to PaloJano

You would use BBEdit or TextWrangler to edit the version & build numbers to what those were before the upgrade you want to apply...

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">

<dict>

<key>ProductBuildVersion</key>

<key>ProductCopyright</key>

<string>1983-2019 Apple Inc.</string>

<key>ProductName</key>

<key>ProductUserVisibleVersion</key>

<key>ProductVersion</key>

</dict>

</plist>

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Answer 8

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 25, 2019 9:25 AM in response to BDAqua

File is readonly, how to change its permissions?

As regarding the next steps:

Is it correct when I think the root cause of the not able to upgrade to HighSierra is:

the mismatch between Boot ROM Version and Product Version ?

Txs!

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Answer 9

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 25, 2019 11:44 AM in response to BDAqua

Hi, SIP disabled, file manipulated to Product Version 10.12.1 which has my current Boot ROM Version listed.

And started Combo Update 10.12.2. installation which should make an update of the Boot ROM Version to next one.

Installation started, Restarted, Machine BEEP, Switch off/on - Three Times, Restart to Apple Logo Loading

and now 30 minutes stuck on loading saying "about 10 minutes to finish"

Any idea how to proceed?

Txs!

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Answer 10

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 25, 2019 12:13 PM in response to BDAqua

I canceled the 10.12.2 ComboUpdate and iMac wont boot, starting with apple logo loading and after 10 secs shutdown by itself.

I will restore CCCloner backup tomorrow and repeat steps from today, but with other next ComboUpdate after 10.12.2.

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Answer 11

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 20, 2019 11:50 PM in response to BDAqua

Hi, thanks, maybe I wrote my post wrong.

I cant apply Security Updates for HS as I have only Sierra now.

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Answer 12

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 21, 2019 12:13 AM in response to dot.com

Hi, thanks. I did download it. The result is the same error: "An error occurred while verifying firmware"

and have to cancel installer and go back to Sierra.

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Answer 13

PaloJano Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 24, 2019 2:21 AM in response to dot.com

Hi, thanks, did not helped.

I already reinstalled sierra, restored HD from TimeMachine backup, but wont upgrade to HighSierra, still failing with the same error. Dissapointing situation.

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