Ventura update failure

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Level 1

23 points

Ventura update failure

iMac 4k Retina 21.5in (2017), model 18,2, running Big Sur 11.7.1.

I tried to update to Ventura, following all the correct procedures, starting from a download of Ventura Installer from the App Store.

The installer appeared to start up as normal, estimating 59 minutes, but after three hours there was only a dark grey screen. I shut down and the iMac restarted in Big Sur.

System Preferences > Software Update now fails to find any updates, remaining stuck on the 'Checking for updates' wheel indefinitely. Previously it had showed Ventura.

Disk Utility from Recovery mode found no significant problems, nor did EtreCheck.

What could be the cause, please, and is there a solution?

iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 11.6

Posted on Dec 8, 2022 10:31 AM

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Answer 1

Tanavino Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 9, 2022 10:40 AM in response to Tanavino

In case this might be useful for anyone else - I solved the problem of Software Update not showing any updates, just by starting in Safe Mode (press shift while starting up). It now shows Ventura as an available update, as expected. Perhaps the same fault (whatever that was) lay behind my failed attempt to update to Ventura.

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Dec 8, 2022 11:09 AM in response to Tanavino

You could potentially download the installer directly using the advice in this article: How to download macOS - Apple Support. Do you have a full Time Machine or similar backup in case you need to walk back from this failed upgrade attempt or perform a clean install for reasons? If not might be best to at least backup the current state of the machine before proceeding.

tt2

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Answer 3

turingtest2

Level 10

278,263 points

Dec 8, 2022 12:24 PM in response to Tanavino

I wondered about compatibility too, but your model shows on this page: macOS Ventura is compatible with these computers - Apple Support. As to why the update isn't being picked up now I have no idea.

FWIW my approach to this, room permitting, is to partition the drive, perform a clean install, then migrate my data when I'm ready. This has meant that I can always fall back on the old and familiar when a new version has quirks. Of course that might not be so easy with a Fusion drive.

tt2

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Answer 4

Tanavino Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 8, 2022 11:24 AM in response to turingtest2

Thanks for your response. I have a Time Machine backup, two Carbon Copy Cloner backups plus data backups on two other drives and iCloud Drive. I'm just puzzled about why my first attempt failed, and why Software Update now fails to show Ventura (or anything else) as an available update. Does that mean it's not compatible with my iMac for some reason?

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Answer 5

Tanavino Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 8, 2022 12:59 PM in response to turingtest2

Sounds like a good idea. I'll have another go at installing Ventura but if it fails again I'll just stick to Big Sur and wait for an excuse to buy a newer iMac, without the Fusion drive...!

Updating makes me nervous though, I had a terrible time updating from Mojave to Big Sur. Shouldn't be this problematic - I've never (so far) had any difficulties with updating the iPhones.

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Answer 6

Tanavino Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 8, 2022 11:04 AM in response to Tanavino

Sorry, I meant to add, there's plenty of space on the 1TB Fusion drive – over 800GB free.

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Ventura update failure

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