Continuously getting Checking "(null)" ... popup

Question

Continuously getting Checking "(null)" ... popup

I was attempting to update an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) to Monterey.

I repeatedly got the Checking "(null)" ... popup.

Tried in Safe Mode, but continued to get the same popup.

I saw a post recommending going back to Mojave via internet recovery, which was successful.

Then I tried to update to Monterey, but still got the popup.

Then another post recommended that I Cmd-R startup, and use Disk Utility to change the HD name to Macintosh HD, which I did.

Then I restarted in Safe Mode, tossed the original Monterey update file, and download it again.

But I still got the popup.

Then I saw another post which recommended:

Please perform this procedure:

1. First, verify that macOS Monterey is compatible with your Mac: macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support. If it is, continue.
2. Go to Applications (Finder > Go > Applications) and drag the "Install macOS Monterey" App to the Trash & Empty the Trash.
3. Then, Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support, login, and restart back into normal mode.
4. Follow these steps again: How to upgrade to macOS Monterey - Apple Support.

So I then followed all those steps, but I still get it the Checking "(null)" ... popup.

What else can I try?

Thank you,

Gino

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 10.14

Posted on Feb 4, 2022 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Feb 5, 2022 7:45 AM in response to Gino La Pointe

When one when back to Mojave macOS 10.14.6 were all Software updates and Security Updates for Mojave also installed ?

The last Mojave Security Update was Security Update 2021-005 (Mojave) Post Date: Aug 5, 2021

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.

Safari will open a redirect and open the Apple Store where the download can commence.

Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade

macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements

macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements

Caution - jumping over all the newer versions and directly to Big Sur / Monterey on Qualifying computers is Technically possible - there are those who have attempted and were successful. Then there are those who attempted and had less than good results.

If this is a Production or Mission Critical Set-up - a more prudent and measure approach is suggested.

The above is from observations on the Apple Support Community Forums and IMHO

Tips Big Sir Upgrade Released Nov 2020

Tips Monterey Upgrade Released Oct 25, 2021

There are reports appearing on the ASC Forums regarding failed installation of Monterey on older Qualifying Apple Computers. In most cases this is related to having a NON Apple Original internal drive ?

The EFI Boot ROM included in Monterey is verifying for Original Apple Drive and if not found , may Balk or fail to upgrade to Monterey.

Reports indicate the EFI BOOT ROM is Required to Flash the Computer and is a requirement for a Successful Monterey Installation.

Make Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS

Notation - Mojave is the Last version to support 32 bit applications / extensions and Drivers. Catalina, Big Sur & Monterey supports only 64 bit and there is no workaround.

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.

Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Feb 5, 2022 10:42 AM in response to Gino La Pointe

The plan of taking the machine in gradual steps is a good idea.

Would do the same if it ware my machine >> Mojave to Catalina, Catalina to Big Sur and Big Sur to Monterey.

But, yes a but.

Fusion Drives were good in there day for Storage and versions of macOS not as demanding as Big Sur and Monterey.

Both versions seem to be much better suited for SSD Drives rather than Fusion Drives.

Yes, the computer will function but at a big cost to performance and beachballs as the Rotational Drive struggles under the demands of Big Sur / Monterey.

Since the computer has already been upgraded to Monterey once - the EFI BOOT ROM contained in Monterey has already been flashed to the Computer itself.

That opens the chance to get a good enclosure and good External SSD for the Enclosure. OWC.com has good items that may fit your needs.

The External Drive can then be used to Install Monterey or Big Sur directly to the External Drive and set the external drive as your startup Drive.

The performance will be greatly increased and fewer issue and beachballs in the process.

The exiting Internal Drive can become for Storage or as the Time Machine Backup Drive.

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Answer 3

Feb 5, 2022 9:19 AM in response to Owl-53

P. Phillips,

Thank you very much for your response.

I'll attempt to respond to your various points:

1) There were no AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Un-installers, etc installed

2) I will attempt to use Go64 to find 32 bit application - good idea

3) The iMac came from Apple with a 3.12 TB Fusion Drive - Apple HDD ST3000DM001 - AppleAPSMedia - SSD

4) I had been updating each time new systems came out Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey

After I had updated to Monterey things too a lot longer, i.e. lots of beachballs, especially with the Finder

I was unable to reinstall Monterey, so I read a recommendation to first do the Internet Recovery

That reinstalled the OS that the iMac originally came with, Mojave.

Software Update automatically downloaded the Monterey Installer.

That is when I first got the popup: Checking "(null)"

The rest of the story I have mentioned in the original question post

Is it possible that when I first updated to Monterey that it may have messed things up?

I was thinking of restarting with the Shift-Option-Command-R Recovery option,

then to first erase the hard drive, then redo the Internet Recovery to the original macOS Mojave,

then again to try and work my way back

Should I then first attempt to update to Catalina?

Then if I successfully update to Catalina, maybe it will then allow me to download the Big Sur Installer

Then if Big Sur installs correctly, then to again try to update to Monterey?

Does this sound alright?

Again, Thank you very much,

Gino

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Answer 4

Feb 4, 2022 3:40 PM in response to Gino La Pointe

Went to "How to get old versions of macOS" (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683) in Safari

Clicked on macOS Big Sur, which eventually went to the App Store, and clicked Get.

Then Software Update says that the requested version of the macOS is not available.

I guess I'll try Catalina, but if the Big Sur Update is no longer available, then even older ones probably won't be either.

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Answer 5

Feb 5, 2022 7:30 AM in response to Gino La Pointe

Was able to download the Catalina installer, but it also pops up: Checking "(null)" ...

So, it is not an M1 vs Intel issue

I did a First Aid with Disk Utility and all was fine

Could there be something on the iMac that may have been damaged

(years ago there was a DMA controller on 8086 pcs, is there anything similar with the Mac Intel, that may be damaged?)

Thank you

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Answer 6

Feb 4, 2022 3:10 PM in response to Gino La Pointe

Could there possibly be some M1 specific code, that forgot to check for the Intel chip, in the Monterey updater?

Also, should I try to get the update to Big Sur, and update to there, first?

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Answer 7

Feb 5, 2022 12:19 PM in response to Owl-53

P. Phillips,

Thank you very much for all your help.

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Answer 8

Owl-53

Level 10

102,193 points

Feb 5, 2022 2:26 PM in response to Gino La Pointe

Welcome on whatever course of action to be taken

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Continuously getting Checking "(null)" ... popup

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