Cannot install macOS after I created a disk called Macintosh HD in utilities - ”an error occcured while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.”


I erased my mac to sell it and when I wanted to install macOS there was no disk for me to select when it says "Selete the disk where you want to install Mac OS X", so I Googled it and followed these instructions:


”When I came across this I noticed that I didn't have a volume under the main APPLE SSD SM1024G Media. You need create a partition under it. Click on APPLE SSD SM1024G Media, select partition map scheme is GUID Partition Table. Name the volume Macintosh. Select and make sure it is in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. Select Apply. Once you see the volume created. Go back to the macOS utility screen and select install MacOS.”


And now I have a disk called Macintosh HD and when I go back to install MacOS (Sierra) I get this messege ”an error occcured while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.”


I tried to restart the computer but it did not help.





Posted on Dec 17, 2023 8:45 AM

Reply
9 replies

Dec 17, 2023 5:48 PM in response to Amrenc

People have been reporting issues reinstalling older versions of macOS for a while now. Try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to attempt to access the macOS 13.x Ventura installer. Unfortunately no matter they keys used to boot, some Macs may only boot to the online installer for the version of macOS which originally shipped with the Mac from the factory.


Your other option is to create a bootable macOS USB installer using the instructions in this Apple article:

Create a bootable installer - Apple Support


You will need access to another Mac which is compatible with the OS you want to install. Generally you will need a Mac from:

  • Late-2009 to 2011 to create a bootable macOS 10.13 USB installer
  • 2012 to 2019 to create a bootable 10.15 USB installer
  • 2015 to 2020 to create a 11.x USB installer
  • 2017 to 2022 to create a 13.x USB installer


You can use the information in the following article to identify compatible Macs for various versions of macOS:

https://eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility


FYI, when installing macOS 10.15+, you need to erase the physical drive as GUID partition and APFS (top option) instead of MacOS Extended (Journaled) which is only needed for macOS 10.13 & earlier.

Dec 17, 2023 9:16 AM in response to Amrenc

Amrenc wrote:


I erased my mac to sell it and when I wanted to install macOS there was no disk for me to select when it says "Selete the disk where you want to install Mac OS X", so I Googled it and followed these instructions:

”When I came across this I noticed that I didn't have a volume under the main APPLE SSD SM1024G Media. You need create a partition under it. Click on APPLE SSD SM1024G Media, select partition map scheme is GUID Partition Table. Name the volume Macintosh. Select and make sure it is in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. Select Apply. Once you see the volume created. Go back to the macOS utility screen and select install MacOS.”

And now I have a disk called Macintosh HD and when I go back to install MacOS (Sierra) I get this messege ”an error occcured while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.”

I tried to restart the computer but it did not help.





what macOS...? you do not say.


what exact Mac..? you do not say.


ref: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle ...


ref: Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings ( newer Macs)





DiskUtility>View>Show All Devices erase/reformat/initialize as new the parent drive (top most)


Dec 17, 2023 12:10 PM in response to Amrenc

I have the same problem, let me know if you find a solution. My daughter got a new macbook and I thought of using her 2017 A1708 and tried to erase and reinstall and it failed. It was working quite well before and now its seems bricked. Some sites ask to check the date, check online to how to update date.

Dec 17, 2023 2:38 PM in response to Amrenc

MacOS is not copy-protected in the usual sense:


Apple software downloaded from the Mac App Store, including MacOS, is not copy protected. However, it IS tagged with the Apple-ID of the purchaser when "purchased" (or equivalent. Think of MacOS as purchased on sale for $0.) A valid Apple-ID is required for almost all downloads from the Mac App Store.


You cannot update, upgrade, or install new software based on already-installed software UNLESS you supply the Apple-ID of the original software.


If your old MacOS is damaged, or you completely erased your Mac, the Apple-ID is not available, and you get the “cannot contact the server…” message that should go on to say, “…with the Apple-ID provided or NO Apple-ID”.


In that case, you invoke Recovery with Shift-Option-Command-R.

You is how you request the "shipped-in-the-box" version, which is tagged ONLY with the serial number of your Mac, and does not require any Apple-ID to be already working on your Mac.


Cannot install macOS after I created a disk called Macintosh HD in utilities - ”an error occcured while preparing the installation. Try running this application again.”

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