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Hi I keep getting the prohibiting/stop signal even after I've repaired the disk and reinstalled Catalina. Mac reboots after reinstall with no issues but if I shut down and turn on again I keep getting the prohibited signal. I've done this procedure various times but still get the same results. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
iMac Pro, macOS 10.15
If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it
A circle with a line through it means that your startup disk contains a Mac operating system, but it's not a macOS that your Mac can use.
A prohibitory symbol, which looks like a circle with a line or slash through it, means that your startup disk contains a Mac operating system, but it's not a version or build of macOS that your Mac can use.
Issues that may exist on the Time Machine Backup from Previous Installations will be migrated to the New Installation. This would badly pollute the new Original and Pristine installation of the new OS.
Further, it may also be the root cause to the repeated Prohibitive Sign after each wipe and reinstallation then Migration
It is suggested the user ( you ) repeat the previous suggested steps. Only this time - Migrate ONLY the User Account and nothing more.
A repeated issue time and time again using the same method appears to not be working.
The Below is a radical method and be certain you understand what will happen. If you are not comfortable doing the below - DO NOT proceed
Scorched Earth Method
This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No Recovery - Period.
To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer.
The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer
This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer.
Example ONLY : Bootable Installer of Catalina would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Catalina.
Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.
Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.
Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer >> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.
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 drive 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.
Thanks, I've tried the steps you mention. Like I said in the original post. I reinstall Catalina and all seems fine, but as soon as I restart it goes back to the prohibitory symbol screen and I need to go through all the steps again.
I erased the HD and reinstalled Catalina with no issues. No prohibitory sign after restarting. I then use migration assistant to migrate the latest backup from my time machine external HD and upon restarting I get the prohibitory sign again.
You are welcome and thank you too.
Do come back to the Apple Support Communities ( ASC ) in the future, if / or when additional questions may arise
Thanks a lot for your help, I migrated the user account and applications. Had to reinstall a few things but, alls seems good now.
Keeping Getting Prohibiting Symbol
