Previously working Big Sur bootable installer failed

A while ago, I had created a bootable installer for Big Sur 11.6.1 on a 16GB USB 3.0 memory key. I recall using it successfully to boot my Mac mini (2018). Curiously when I tried the same USB key recently, the boot stalled. I created a new bootable installer (using Monterey) and it booted normally.

Should attribute this to a corrupted USB installer or does this perhaps suggest that a SMC (or some other) reset should be performed on the machine itself?

- Pie Lover

Mac mini 2018 or later

Posted on Dec 5, 2021 4:21 AM

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3 replies

BlueberryLover Author

Level 4

1,248 points

Dec 5, 2021 6:53 AM in response to BlueberryLover

On second thought, I may have removed the USB key before properly shutting down. This is the most likely explanation for why the system wouldn't boot the next time that I used the key.

- Pie Lover

Owl-53

Level 10

102,943 points

Dec 5, 2021 6:55 AM in response to BlueberryLover

Was the USB Bootable Installer of Big Sur 11.6.1 created on the Mac Mini 2018 ?

That might be the source of the corruption of the Bootable Installer.

BlueberryLover Author

Level 4

1,248 points

Dec 5, 2021 11:34 AM in response to Owl-53

Yes, the bootable installer was originally created on the Mac mini (2018), perhaps using Big Sur.

- Pie Lover

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Previously working Big Sur bootable installer failed