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MacOS Big Sur will not finish installing on my Macbook Pro

I recently got a Macbook Pro from goodwill and had to go through **** to get the admin off- with permission I got the advice to delete certain disks to factory reset and get the admin off and then reinstall MacOS - after I did & made my own account on the laptop, the disk says Untitled. Before deleting disks, it said MacOS Catalina, now it says its running on Yosemite, fully updated. Tried to download Big Sur and it almost finished until the very end and now the bar isn't moving. Tried to restart my macbook and try to reinstall - even deleted Big Sur & went back to the app store to download again to try to get the install to refresh, but after looking I think something with the disks may have caused an issue with the laptop so now its unable to Install it, I am just clueless trying to find answers so I'd really appreciate the help! Because I'm stuck on Yosemite safari barely works, I get no google chrome updates and I can't download anything from the app store like Garageband & iMovie.

Posted on Sep 18, 2021 10:29 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 18, 2021 1:40 PM

Probably, the previous Owner and or Goodwill did not know what should have been done before putting it to Goodwill for sale.


What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac


How to erase an Intel-based Mac


How to reinstall macOS


macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers and if the computer Qualifies for Big Sur


Would suggest - if running Yosemite - suggest upgrading to High Sierra first and then eventually to Big Sur. The short stop at High Sierra may better position the computer, software and drivers better before moving up to Big Sur.


The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. Make sure to use Only Safari to commence the download as Others may not work. Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where you can commence the download. If an error message appears, that is probably because one is using another Browser.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.


Make a Time Machine Backup Before attempting. Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina & Big Sur support 64 bit and there is no workaround.






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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 18, 2021 1:40 PM in response to HanSkains

Probably, the previous Owner and or Goodwill did not know what should have been done before putting it to Goodwill for sale.


What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac


How to erase an Intel-based Mac


How to reinstall macOS


macOS Big Sur is compatible with these computers and if the computer Qualifies for Big Sur


Would suggest - if running Yosemite - suggest upgrading to High Sierra first and then eventually to Big Sur. The short stop at High Sierra may better position the computer, software and drivers better before moving up to Big Sur.


The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.


With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. Make sure to use Only Safari to commence the download as Others may not work. Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where you can commence the download. If an error message appears, that is probably because one is using another Browser.


Suggest using Go64 to find 32 bit application before attempting the upGrade. Some or many of the Application already installed may required update or upGrades to 64 Bit Versions.


Make a Time Machine Backup Before attempting. Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina & Big Sur support 64 bit and there is no workaround.






MacOS Big Sur will not finish installing on my Macbook Pro

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