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DFU mode to revive macbook not working, just want to wipe it

When I try to do the key sequence (power, r shift, l ctrl, l option) the target macbook turns on during this step whereas all the videos and instructions I see this doesn't happen. I've tried pram, smc reset...disconnecting battery and try again... hoping anyone can help.


Initial problem was I wiped the drive to try to do a fresh install but now it has some hiddern recovery partition or something that I can not get past to do a fresh install. Disk utility can not wipe drive, even booting from an external USB I can't wipe the internal drive. Would be quite happt to replace the SSD but of course that's not something Apple allows these days. A1932 model.

MacBook Air

Posted on Feb 11, 2022 12:20 AM

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Posted on Feb 11, 2022 12:52 AM

Good thinking. I tried a few cables that came with chargers but then went and bought a new thunderbolt cable ($70AUD) so pretty unlikely that is the problem.

Target Mac is Monterey, macbook running configurator was updated to Big Sur just so it could run configurator. Upgrading it to Monterey now to see if it helps.

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Feb 11, 2022 12:52 AM in response to lllaass

Good thinking. I tried a few cables that came with chargers but then went and bought a new thunderbolt cable ($70AUD) so pretty unlikely that is the problem.

Target Mac is Monterey, macbook running configurator was updated to Big Sur just so it could run configurator. Upgrading it to Monterey now to see if it helps.

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Feb 12, 2022 3:20 AM in response to laynevans

Ubuntu installed to an SSD on another macbook boots up fine on the other macbook, doesn't even come up as a boot option on the problem macbook.

The 'internet recovery' icon is different now for some reason so I'm going to run that again. Glutton for punishment.

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Feb 12, 2022 3:52 AM in response to laynevans

As has already been mentioned Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before


Attempting to boot the Problematic T2 Equipped Computer without FIRST Enabling this, will not boot from Anything External be it Windows Bootable Installer, Linux Bootable Installer or macOS Bootable Installer.


This is the Apple Secure Enclave that guards against this - period.


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Feb 11, 2022 2:18 AM in response to laynevans

Was this method from Apple Used >> Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac


Then this also from Apple >> How to reinstall macOS


" hiddern recovery partition " is what allows the Reinstallation process to function and can not be removed from Recovery Mode because that is what it has booted from


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Feb 11, 2022 3:28 AM in response to laynevans

EDITED


The Below will WIPE ALL DATA and there is No Recovery - Period.


To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer


This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.


Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer


  >> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.


Judging from Actions already taken SMC and NVRAM the is an Intel Computer



Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.


About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 



1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drives Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above. 


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

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Feb 11, 2022 6:41 AM in response to laynevans

So this is a MacBook Air from 2019 ?


Was Size is the Internal Drive ?


Further - this computer has Touch ID which implies it has a Secure Enclave


To that - unless the user Enable Booting from an External Drive via Recovery Mode - this computer will never be able to Boot from anything External , not even a Bootable Installer of anything.



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Feb 11, 2022 1:22 AM in response to laynevans

A Thunderbolt cable does not work


  • 4. A supported USB-C to USB-C cable that supports both power and data. The original Apple white charge cable is ideal. Thunderbolt 3 cables are not supported according to Apple, but it works fine according to Mr. Macintosh.

https://iboysoft.com/wiki/dfu-mode-mac.html

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Feb 11, 2022 1:32 AM in response to lllaass

Oh wow...ok. When I connect using just a USB C cable I get a popup saying "Cannot user thunderbold accessory. Connect accessory using a thunderbolt capable cable' so went away from trying with USB C cables.


I'll try with USB C cables again, though I've tried with them a LOT also. But am trying with both Macs on Monterey now.

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Feb 11, 2022 1:39 AM in response to laynevans

Same happens...except when using a USB C cable I have the warning on screen about using Thunderbolt cable. I've tried 9 secs...9.5...10... I'm sure it's not my timing, for some reason the target computer just keeps turning on and off during the key press sequence which doesn't seem normal.


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Feb 11, 2022 3:04 AM in response to PRP_53

Tried everything I could in disk utiltiy to delete/wipe the drive. Was never successful because 'the volume on disk0 couldn't me unmounted becuase it is in use by process 0 (kernel) 69877 error. Even when booting from a USB boot drive.


Still not able to reinstall. Even when using a boot usb for big sur or monterey it goes to Internet Recovery, not just tools from the USB.

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Feb 11, 2022 7:15 AM in response to PRP_53

I'm not at the computer right now but 2019 or 2018 I'm thinking. 250gb internal drive maybe. Does definitely have touch ID. Hopefully something I can do to wipe it/use it again...? It stopped accepting the encryption password after a wipe. Even trying to reset the password via icloud just gives errors :(

Surely it can't be bricked.

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Feb 11, 2022 5:37 PM in response to PRP_53

That doesn't sound hopeful :(

It is letting me boot to internet recovery...it let me erase the drive and their didn't seem to be any other partitions or anything but the problem, or remaining security partition(?) can be very hidden.

It's doing a Mojave reinstall but has stopped at 2mins remaining. Has been there for at least 15mins but I'm going to let it go longer....

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Feb 12, 2022 2:39 AM in response to laynevans

macOS Mojave was released September 24, 2018.


This computer is a 2019 model.


Predicated on that as being true and accurate - Not sure Mojave can even be installed on this computer.


The Apple Licence of Use Prohibits downgrading the OS to a version Older than what it Originally came installed with as New.

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DFU mode to revive macbook not working, just want to wipe it

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