Mac OS upgrade

If the User ( you ) what to try again please refer to image below

In good faith, posting a copy of an older Etrecheck Report to illustrate how easy it can be done and using the method as per the image

First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs.  There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.   

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear.  They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware.  Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

That being said uninstall the Symantec and Webroot software according to the developer'er instructions.

Also unless you're using the Seagate drive for something other than normal off computer storage you should uninstall the Seagate software. It just interferes with the system's drive management capability.

I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently have some 3rd party software that interferes with the installation so try the following:

#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3-5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.

#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.

Terminal Command will only search for full versions of mcOS this computer Qualifies to run

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Depending on the output of above command

The follow Terminal Command will download the Full Version of the chosen OS

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.7.2

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13.1

The Full Version are between 12 and 12.26 GB in size.

It will place a new application in the applications folder and will Not Auto Launch

Since the computer is experiencing issues UpDating or UpGrading - it is suggested to reset the computer in >>

1 - Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.

2 - Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading 

Once loaded - run the " Install ?? " version of chosen OS

Part 1 of 2

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster and comprise the Operating System

Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a portion on each sale. What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

This will include CleanMyMac , This will include BitDefender , 

This will included Norton Antivirus , Sophos Av Software

Intego AntiVirus, McAfee, MacKeeper, Avast AntiVirus

Ad Guard, Webroot , ESET , Avira , Dr Cleaner Pro Plus

AVG AntiVirus   avira antivirus 

Trustee  

AntiVirus for Mac

F-Secure

Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.

The The Built in Security  is all that is required.

Part 2 of 2

Download the Application Etrecheck directly from the Developer.

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.

It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer 

The application is free or paid from added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

We can have a look at the report for possible issues and may have possible suggestions to resolve the issues.

Problem: Other problem

Description: Running OS 12.6.1. Cannot upgrade to 12.6.2 or Ventura.

Q  - More than one antivirus app - This computer has multiple antivirus apps installed.

Q -  Antivirus software: Apple, Webroot, and Malwarebytes

A - WebRoot should be removed as per the Developers Instruction 

A - MalwareBytes is ok but generally for a specific Purposes - Remove Malware / Adware and then remove the Application as per Developers Instructions

Hardware Information:

  iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017)

   8 GB RAM - Upgradeable

 Q -    BANK 0/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400  

    BANK 0/DIMM1 - Empty   

 Q -    BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM 2400  

    BANK 1/DIMM1 - Empty   

A - For more RAM, at a Cost to the User, have the RAM Upgraded by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware / Software and Expertise 

Drives:

Q -  disk0 - APPLE SSD SM0032L 28.00 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) 

Q -  disk0s2 [APFS Fusion Drive] 27.69 GB

Q - disk1 - APPLE HDD ST1000DM003 1.00 TB (Mechanical - 7200 RPM) 

A - Fusion Drives were good for cheap Extra Storage but will receive a Performance Hit ( Negative ) when running Big Sur and above. 

A - From Observations, Big Sur and above newer version of macOS perform and seem to be geared towards and ALL SSD Setup.

Q - Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.kromtech.AdwareBuster.AdwareBusterPrivilegedHelper.plist

A - Same Principle that applies to MalwareBytes ( above  ) applies to this software too. Added, this software becomes a redundancy to MalwareBytes

Q -   Plugin: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.plugin

A  - Outdated and no longer supported. Remove

Q-  Plugin: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/Silverlight.plugin

A  - Outdated and no longer supported. Remove

Q - Preference panel: /Library/PreferencePanes/SymantecQuickMenu.prefPane

A - Remnants from a Previous Installation which has since be removed. Remove

Kernel Extensions:

Q -  /Library/Application Support/Symantec/AntiVirus

A - Remnants from a Previous Installation which has since be removed. Remove

Q -   /Library/Application Support/Symantec/IntrusionPrevention/SavedEngine

A - Remnants from a Previous Installation which has since be removed. Remove

Launch Daemons:

Q -  [Loaded] com.kromtech.AdwareBuster.AdwareBusterPrivilegedHelper.plist (Not signed - installed 2018-09-05)

Q -  [Loaded] com.mackeeper.AdwareAnalyzer.AdwareAnalyzerPrivilegedHelper.plist (KROMTECH ALLIANCE CORP. - installed 2018-01-12)

Q -  [Other] com.mackeeper.AntiVirus.plist (Not signed - installed 2017-09-13)

Q -  [Loaded] com.nordvpn.NordVPN.Helper.plist (TEFINKOM & CO S.A - installed 2018-09-22)

Q -  [Loaded] com.webroot.InstallerHelperTool.plist (Webroot Software, Inc. - installed 2022-04-26)

Q -  [Running] com.webroot.webfilter.mac.plist (Webroot Software, Inc. - installed 2021-03-24)

A - All Six above are Remnants from a Previous Installation which has since be removed. Remove

3rd Party Preference panels:

Q -  Norton\nQuickMenu (? - installed 2009-11-20)

A - Remnants from a Previous Installation which has since be removed. Remove

Use the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with webfoot in the file name. 

1 - Name contains webfoot

Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.

FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  

If you can't delete the items do to their being open or used boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and delete from there.

Note:  if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode.  This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

Sorry the issue remains.

At this point, as you have mentioned, a visit to the Professionals who have the Special Hardware / Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions

Should time permit, do keep us posted on the outcome

Very Best in 2023

Stephen DeBock wrote:

You've done a lot of work for me; thank you. Removed MalwareBytes, Symantec, Mackeeper, Nord VPN, Flip for Mac. I couldn't find Webroot, not in Apps, Utilities, or Library.

That specific " Webroot " is a difficult one to find and remove.

Will have to research that one and get back to you, unless by colleague @ Old Toad who has vastly more experience than me could chip in on this one

The Additional Text field will take more than the 5000 character limit in the topic field. It'll take an entire Etrecheck re;oert.