Upgrading from Macos11 Big Sur to MacOS 12 Monterey fails

Trying, unsuccessfully to upgrade from MacOS11 Big Sur to MacOS 12 Monterey - please can you help?


iMac17,1 (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015)

  • macOS 11.7.10
  • 8 GB DDR3
  • 36GB free space available on 1TB SSD


Have tried:


1) System Preferences > Software Update - this simply hangs with a "Checking for updates..." message


2) App Store - goes to System Preferences > Software Update and hangs with a "Checking for updates..." message


3) Direct InstallAssistant.pkg - downloaded from this link - InstallAssistant - MacOS Monterey 12.7.2 - this runs for about 45 minutes, then hangs with "About 1 minute remaining" message. During the time its running the amount of available data on the SSD reduces by about 4GB.


Any suggestions gratefully received. I would much prefer not to be stuck on Big Sur, as I'd like to continue to get security upgrades, at least for a little while longer.


Thanks

Posted on Jan 7, 2024 1:23 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 7, 2024 7:31 AM

Thanks for the PRAM reset suggestion - sounded sensible to try, but didn't fix the problem.


Have now fixed the problem, turned out to be my anti-virus - Intego VirusBarrier - getting in the way.


Feel a bit silly for not having thought about the anti-virus possibility previously.


Thanks

Similar questions

5 replies

Jan 7, 2024 7:31 AM in response to Strelizia regina

Part 1 of 3


The computer will Require a Minimum of 50 GB of Empty Space


It will allow the Full Version ( about 12.xx GB ) to download, expand and then commence to install.


If there is Third Party Security Software installed - remove it.


It will interfere with both the download and installation process.


Part 2 of 3


The final word from Apple on Managing the " Other/ System Data “ Category


Other / System Data: Contains files that don’t fall into the categories listed here. This category primarily includes files and data used by the system, such as log files, caches, VM files, and other runtime system resources. Also included are temporary files, fonts, app support files, and plug-ins.


You can't manage the contents of this category. The contents are managed by macOS, and the category varies in size depending on the current state of your Mac.


There are areas of the Operating System which we users have control over and that is the User Account Folder ( Home Folder )


All other areas are not accessible 


It is generally a good computer practice to alway keep at least 20% to 25% of the Total Drive Capacity’s as Empty Space.


Allowing the computer to drop below these guidelines may eventually cause unintended consequences.


There is Purgeable Space and there is Empty Space.


Purgeable Space which is Controlled by the Operating System. When the Operating Systems decides the computer needs additional Empty Space, it will move a portion of the Purgeable to Empty space


AFAIK - there is no User Actions to hasten this transition from Purgeable to Empty Space


It can day or longer before this will occur.


Part 3 of 3


The links below will assist in identifying what is taking up space on the Internal Drive and provide possible ways to remove data that is under the direct control of the User ( Home Folder ) . 


Rebuild the Spotlight index on your Mac


What is “Other” storage on a Mac, and how can I clean it out?


Free up storage space on your Mac


GrandPerspective 


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac.  


View APFS snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support (CA)


Often caused if the Time Machine Drive has not been attached  to the computer and TM Backup is set to run on a Schedule. 


TM Backup will make Snap Shot on the Internal Drive awaiting the TM Backup Drive to be attached. 


Only then will the Snaps Shots be transferred to the External Drive and deleted the Internal Drive.


See used and available storage space on your Mac


Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch


Is there a Suite of Adobe Applications  used on this computer ?


They may create some very large cache files that can be removed. Though, the Adobe cache files will be recreated as the Applications needs them.


https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/premiere-pro/kb/clear-cache.html


Jan 7, 2024 1:36 AM in response to Strelizia regina

Hello,


Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...


Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support


Monterey…

macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support


  • iMac – all models from late 2015, iMac 16,1 – 20,2
  • iMac Pro – all models, iMac Pro 1,1
  • MacBook & MacBook Retina – all models from early 2016, MacBook 9,1 – 10,1
  • MacBook Pro – all models from early 2015, MacBook Pro 12,1 – 17,1
  • MacBookAir – all models from early 2015, MacBook Air 7,1 – 10,1
  • Mac Mini – all models from 2014, Mac Mini 7,1 – 9,1
  • Mac Pro – all models from 2013, Mac Pro 6,1 – 7,1



https://wpbeaches.com/apple-minimum-system-requirements-for-macos-monterey-12/


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-monterey/id1576738294


macOS Monterey on the App Store (apple.com)


https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-monterey/id1576738294?mt=12


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Upgrading from Macos11 Big Sur to MacOS 12 Monterey fails

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