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MacBook trying to use Internet recovery even after I've connected install media

  • 2021 MacBook Pro (has not been linked to my account yet)
  • Intel silicon (90% certain on that)
  • Terminated employee, had to erase the drive because we did not have their credentials
  • Was running Monterey, trying to reinstall Monterey
  • Attempted internet recovery about 10 times, but it failed after about 2-3 hours each time
  • Checked my internet speeds, reporting about ~320 Mbps via wifi
  • Followed the article to create install media (32GB Thumbdrive, connected via CalDigit USB 3.0 hub purchased from Apple ~1 year ago)
  • Prompted to select bootable disk
  • Select bootable disk (by clicking up arrow)
  • System hesitates for a few seconds
  • Prompts me to select wifi network (I've connected to the router via CAT 5e cable, so I don't know why this is)
  • Select wifi network, enter password
  • Shows that its starting internet recovery again


What's going on? Am I doing something wrong? I've been trying to get this dumb thing to work for over a week now and I'm at my wit's end!


Posted on Jan 30, 2022 9:52 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 30, 2022 10:01 AM

mrBoJackButter wrote:

2021 MacBook Pro (has not been linked to my account yet)
• Intel silicon (90% certain on that)
• Terminated employee, had to erase the drive because we did not have their credentials
• Was running Monterey, trying to reinstall Monterey
• Attempted internet recovery about 10 times, but it failed after about 2-3 hours each time
• Checked my internet speeds, reporting about ~320 Mbps via wifi
• Followed the article to create install media (32GB Thumbdrive, connected via CalDigit USB 3.0 hub purchased from Apple ~1 year ago)
• Prompted to select bootable disk
• Select bootable disk (by clicking up arrow)
• System hesitates for a few seconds
• Prompts me to select wifi network (I've connected to the router via CAT 5e cable, so I don't know why this is)
• Select wifi network, enter password
• Shows that its starting internet recovery again

What's going on? Am I doing something wrong? I've been trying to get this dumb thing to work for over a week now and I'm at my wit's end!



M1—If your Mac starts up to an exclamation point in a circle

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211868


On any new Mac you have 90-day complimentary call in support, I would take advantage of this one-on-one:


Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)


or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

or call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)


Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

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6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 30, 2022 10:01 AM in response to mrBoJackButter

mrBoJackButter wrote:

2021 MacBook Pro (has not been linked to my account yet)
• Intel silicon (90% certain on that)
• Terminated employee, had to erase the drive because we did not have their credentials
• Was running Monterey, trying to reinstall Monterey
• Attempted internet recovery about 10 times, but it failed after about 2-3 hours each time
• Checked my internet speeds, reporting about ~320 Mbps via wifi
• Followed the article to create install media (32GB Thumbdrive, connected via CalDigit USB 3.0 hub purchased from Apple ~1 year ago)
• Prompted to select bootable disk
• Select bootable disk (by clicking up arrow)
• System hesitates for a few seconds
• Prompts me to select wifi network (I've connected to the router via CAT 5e cable, so I don't know why this is)
• Select wifi network, enter password
• Shows that its starting internet recovery again

What's going on? Am I doing something wrong? I've been trying to get this dumb thing to work for over a week now and I'm at my wit's end!



M1—If your Mac starts up to an exclamation point in a circle

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211868


On any new Mac you have 90-day complimentary call in support, I would take advantage of this one-on-one:


Call Customer Support (800) MY–APPLE (800–692–7753)


or on line https://getsupport.apple.com/

or call AppleCare Support at 1-800-APLCARE (800-275-2273)


Outside the USA—Contact Apple for support and service by phone

See a list of Apple phone numbers around the world.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

Jan 30, 2022 5:15 PM in response to mrBoJackButter

If you never configured the T2 Mac to boot to USB drives using the Startup Security Utility, then you will be unable to boot from a USB drive until you make that change which does require booting into Recovery Mode/Internet Recovery Mode:

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support


If you cannot install macOS from either USB or Internet Recovery Mode, then you may need to "Restore" the T2 firmware using the instructions in this Apple article:

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator 2 - Apple Support

Jan 30, 2022 11:05 AM in response to mrBoJackButter

It is possible that, when connected to a complex ThunderBolt dock, your bootable USB drive is not seen at startup when there are no drivers ready to talk to it on that ThunderBolt dock.


I suggest you buy some very small USB-C to USB [-A] adapters (about two for US$10) from Amazon or elsewhere and connect it that way, and see if your luck improves. {Careful you get the sexes of the USB-C and USB ports correct for your setup -- both types are available.]

MacBook trying to use Internet recovery even after I've connected install media

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