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Need help reinstalling Big Sur on MacBook Pro

I'm trying to reinstall Big Sur on a MacBook Pro (A1502) since a friend of mine wants to give it away to his sister; I already erased the hard drive (no need for back ups), then selected "reinstall MacOS Big Sur".

After what I assume is the system downloading the OS, it restarts and a message tells me to wait for about 25 minutes. After that's done I get a message: "an error occured preparing the software update".


I've tried checking the date since some guides suggest a wrong date might be causing this. Also I don't understand why it says it is an update, I just want to reinstall the OS that was working before we erased the hard drive.

Currently I feel like the Mac Pro is as good as bricked, since I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.



Posted on May 3, 2022 7:27 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 3, 2022 11:37 AM

PabloAVG2 wrote:

I'm trying to reinstall Big Sur on a MacBook Pro (A1502) since a friend of mine wants to give it away to his sister; I already erased the hard drive (no need for back ups), then selected "reinstall MacOS Big Sur".
After what I assume is the system downloading the OS, it restarts and a message tells me to wait for about 25 minutes. After that's done I get a message: "an error occured preparing the software update".

I've tried checking the date since some guides suggest a wrong date might be causing this. Also I don't understand why it says it is an update, I just want to reinstall the OS that was working before we erased the hard drive.
Currently I feel like the Mac Pro is as good as bricked, since I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.



???




verify you are using the Safari browser to download/initiate the macOS links.


The older macOS installer backups on this server:

How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support


How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support



In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

https://locate.apple.com/country




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





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1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

May 3, 2022 11:37 AM in response to PabloAVG2

PabloAVG2 wrote:

I'm trying to reinstall Big Sur on a MacBook Pro (A1502) since a friend of mine wants to give it away to his sister; I already erased the hard drive (no need for back ups), then selected "reinstall MacOS Big Sur".
After what I assume is the system downloading the OS, it restarts and a message tells me to wait for about 25 minutes. After that's done I get a message: "an error occured preparing the software update".

I've tried checking the date since some guides suggest a wrong date might be causing this. Also I don't understand why it says it is an update, I just want to reinstall the OS that was working before we erased the hard drive.
Currently I feel like the Mac Pro is as good as bricked, since I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.



???




verify you are using the Safari browser to download/initiate the macOS links.


The older macOS installer backups on this server:

How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support


How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support



In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Outside the USA

https://locate.apple.com/country




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





Need help reinstalling Big Sur on MacBook Pro

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