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User profile for user: Analog6
Analog6 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Installer problem - locked out now

I purchased a used Apple MacBook Air Early 2015 A1466 i5 5250U 1.6GHz 4GB 128GB 13.3" (from a retailer) loaded with OSX El Captain and it was working perfectly. The system prompt came up that updates were available so last night I said install now and went to bed. Now I can only start it in safe mode.

When I start up normally a black screen appears with a box with the system picture (I think)

Under that it says: macOS could not be installed on your computer

An error occurred while loading the installer resource

Quit the installer to restart your computer and try again.

Under that is a restart button

How do I exit the installer? I tried Command Q, then Force Quit. Neither made a blind bit of difference.

Any help much appreciated.


MacBook

Posted on Feb 9, 2020 6:43 PM

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,849 points

Posted on Feb 9, 2020 8:56 PM

That machine will try updating to Catalina but it hasn't the horsepower or RAM to run Catalina properly. It needs at least another 4GBs of RAM but the computer is not user upgradeable. I also has about the smallest SSD that is usable with macOS. I would return it, if possible, and get your money returned. Next time buy a machine with usable specs: 8GB of RAM or more; 256GB SSD or larger. When you buy a model you will find better luck with models mad late in the model year rather than early. Later models may have improved hardware and hardware fixes. Do some research before you buy.


For now, hook up the computer to an Internet connection or be sure you can join a Wi-Fi network. The procedure below will begin having you select a wireless connection. Select yours from the list that is shown and sign into your Wi-Fi network with the required password.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (will be the out-dented entry) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This should install the version of macOS originally installed when factory new.

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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,849 points

Feb 9, 2020 8:56 PM in response to Analog6

That machine will try updating to Catalina but it hasn't the horsepower or RAM to run Catalina properly. It needs at least another 4GBs of RAM but the computer is not user upgradeable. I also has about the smallest SSD that is usable with macOS. I would return it, if possible, and get your money returned. Next time buy a machine with usable specs: 8GB of RAM or more; 256GB SSD or larger. When you buy a model you will find better luck with models mad late in the model year rather than early. Later models may have improved hardware and hardware fixes. Do some research before you buy.


For now, hook up the computer to an Internet connection or be sure you can join a Wi-Fi network. The procedure below will begin having you select a wireless connection. Select yours from the list that is shown and sign into your Wi-Fi network with the required password.


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (will be the out-dented entry) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  8. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This should install the version of macOS originally installed when factory new.

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User profile for user: Analog6
Analog6 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Feb 10, 2020 11:57 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks for the advice. My partner will only be using it for word/excel and browsing the internet, he only needs a low powered machine. I'll go and try what you have advised.

As I can only open in Safe mode I don't seem to be able to connect to the wireless connection, although it was fine before I - obviously foolishly - tried to update. Will it be active after I have done step 1 here?

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Installer problem - locked out now

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