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User profile for user: hw21
hw21 Author
User level: Level 1
17 points

Can’t Reinstall macOS after factory reset

I’m using 2017 MacBook Pro no Touch Bar. I followed all the instructions given by Apple and now I can’t reinstall macOS. I’ve tried Command+R, Option+Command+R, and Shift+Option+Command+R. When I try to install Catalina, I get pkdownloadError8. When I try to install Sierra, which is the OS my MacBook Pro shipped with, I get the message “An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.” What should I do?

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on May 10, 2020 7:39 AM

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

Posted on May 10, 2020 9:56 AM

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, at or before 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 (out-dented entry w/type and size) 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 if installing Mojave or Catalina ) 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.


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

May 10, 2020 9:56 AM in response to hw21

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, at or before 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 (out-dented entry w/type and size) 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 if installing Mojave or Catalina ) 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.


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

May 10, 2020 12:15 PM in response to hw21

I believe you have a major problem, if you have only one disk in the computer. The APFSMedia device is uninitialized according to your first image. On the other hand the second out-dented entry is designated as an Apple SSD. So, I would start with the second entry.


The error message indicates that you have not followed the instructions for starting from the Network Recovery device.

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Can’t Reinstall macOS after factory reset

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