Reinstall macOS Mojave fails

Question

Level 1

8 points

Reinstall macOS Mojave fails

Hi,

I'm trying to recover MacBook Pro 2018 model using recovery mode. Recovery offers an option to reinstall macOS Mojave into the computer. When I try to install the OS, it hangs when 2 minutes is left of the installation and finally fails with following error message:

"The file couldn't be opened because it isn't in the correct format.

The file might be corrupted, truncated, or in an unexpected format."

Here's an image (sorry, I had to take it with phone, I wasn't able to screenshot it):

Here's the recovery log. I have made it shorter by removing repeating lines:

Install log

There are multiple instances of errors like these:

Jan 18 09:02:05 MacBook-Pro osinstallersetupd[603]: IFJS: Package Authoring Error: access to path "/private/var/db/gkopaque.bundle" requires <options allow-external-scripts='true'>

Jan 18 09:40:37 MacBook-Pro osinstallersetupd[603]: PackageKit: Failed to verify InstallESDDmg.pkg: xar_verify failed

I've tried downloading the same files as installer with cURL in recovery terminal and there has been no problems.

Any suggestions what I should try? Bootable USB is not an option because the Startup Security Utility prevents booting from external media and the computer does not have an administrator account.

Posted on Jan 18, 2021 5:00 AM

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Answer 1

latape Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 8, 2021 10:38 PM in response to a brody

Hi,

Believe me, I tried everything! Reinstallation just would not complete. I had to eventually take it to authorized Apple repair. They ran diagnostics and found out that computer's memory modules had failed. They ordered new motherboard and it's now being delivered.

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Answer 2

latape Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 8, 2021 11:25 PM in response to Eau Rouge

It had produced error messages when opening programs and while running them for some time. I started suspecting hardware issues when every attempt at reinstalling the OS failed. I tried Big Sur, Catalina and Mojave. Tried regulard recovery, internet recovery & bootable USB. Bootable USB didn't work due to Startup Security Utility. Other recovery modes failed to verify downloaded OS packages (or that's how I interpreted the recovery log). When I could not figure out any other way of restoring it, I took it to the shop. Luckily the warranty still applied.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

85,296 points

Feb 9, 2021 6:25 AM in response to latape

How long ago was the repair of the logicboard? If the last 90 days, you may have a warranty on the logicboard repair. Try to trace down your case #. Often the replacement logicboard is refurbished, and it too many need to be replaced.

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