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rolling0010 Author

Level 1

4 points

Reinstall macOS High Sierra via bootable stick (or similar) after install error 'The recovery server could not be contacted.'

I have two MacBooks: one from 2011 that used to run on macOS High Sierra, but is completely deleted, and one from 2020 (that I'm currently using) on macOS Ventura.

I would like to reinstall macOS High Sierra on the 2011 one and every time I try it says, 'The recovery server could not be contacted.' I followed other articles and

reset the time zone
made sure it's connected to WiFi and
tried the Option + Command + R command to launch via the globe that appears on the screen.

Then I tried to create a bootable USB stick on my Ventura MacBook, put several dmg files (e.g. one download from Download macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 Update named 'macOSUpd10.13.6') in the Applications folder, ran the command

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

but only got disappointed by

sudo: /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia: command not found

rolling0010@rolling0010-MacBook-Pro ~ %

(I modified the Terminal result above with my Community name).

At this point, I have no idea how to make use of two MacBooks to reinstall macOS High Sierra on the 2011 one.

Also, I wanted to try various Mac programs that create bootable sticks, but they either don't work or don't deliver sufficient help other than the official Apple help (Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support (IE)).

I'm thankful for any tips!

Cheers,

Rolling

Posted on Jul 2, 2023 6:46 AM

Top-ranking reply

rolling0010 Author

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jul 2, 2023 8:16 AM

Thank you, ku4hx!

I understand what you mean but that's exactly what I have been trying. On How to download and install macOS - Apple Support, when I click on High Sierra 10.13, I can't get it on my 2020 MacBook as it just redirects me to the Software Update and says 'The requested version of macOS is not available. Please check if your Mac is compatible with this software.'

When I click on Sierra 10.12 and download it, put it in the Applications folder, and try running the command (e.g., 'sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume'), it would say command not found again.

I understand that on Create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support (UK), it says 'You don’t need a bootable installer to upgrade macOS or reinstall macOS, but it can be useful if you want to install macOS on multiple computers without downloading the installer each time, or you're unable to install a compatible macOS from the Finder or macOS Recovery.' but that's exactly what I want to do, and my Ventura MacBook should be compatible to execute that command in Terminal to create a bootable USB.

I'm really have no clue.

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Reinstall macOS High Sierra via bootable stick (or similar) after install error 'The recovery server could not be contacted.'

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