Need to create USB install media for Monterrey using Mavericks OS

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Need to create USB install media for Monterrey using Mavericks OS

I wish to perform a clean install of OSX Monterrey (the latest version the target machine supports, as I understand) on a Macbook Pro version A1502 currently running OSX 10.9.5 (Mavericks) that was purchased and briefly put in service when the model was current, then was stored with no subsequent use or updates.

The machine is physically in good shape. I wish to do a full, clean install using an external bootable USB media.

As I was not able to download the install package using the machine's Safari browser, I downloaded InstallAssistant.pkg for OS X 12.7.3 on a separate machine. The file was copied to the the Mavericks machine.

I used pkgutil to expand InstallAssistant.pkg, this completed without error. This yielded several files and three folders, including the file SharedSupport.dmg. I used attach to open the .dmg file; this completed without error and yielded a new mount point "Shared Support".

At this point, I can proceed no further as the shell command normally used to generate install media (createinstallmedia) cited in (( Create a bootable installer - Apple Support )) does not appear to apply to Mavericks version OS.

Is there an alternate way to create a USB bootable media (Linux machine is available and I'm comfortable with command line operations.)

Thank you for any assistance, redirection of the inquiry, or requests to clarify statement of problem.

Posted on Mar 3, 2024 3:09 PM

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Answer 1

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HWTech

Level 9

69,104 points

Mar 3, 2024 5:09 PM in response to wb0gaz

I would start by upgrading to macOS 10.11 El Capitan because you can download it using any computer or browser that can access the Internet. Transfer the downloaded .dmg file to the Mavericks' laptop and extract the installer to the Applications folder. I highly recommend you create a bootable macOS USB installer once you do so that you have more options available if something goes wrong.

After installing El Capitan, you may be able to download the correct Big Sur or Monterey installer. You may first need to upgrade to macOS 10.13 High Sierra so that the system firmware is updated to support the new APFS file system required by later versions of macOS. Later versions of macOS installers may not convert the HFS+ partition to APFS automatically. Once you have installed macOS 10.13, you should be able to jump to the latest version of macOS for your system. Use the Apple article you linked originally to find official Apple links to download the various macOS installers (read the download instructions carefully since there are multiple steps involved to download & extract the El Capitan installer...the extraction process must be performed on the older Mac).

FYI, I know that some of the later macOS installers will not convert the HFS+ (aka MacOS Extended) volume to APFS and may even allow the start of the installation process to proceed, but eventually it will fail. This is why I am recommending 10.11, then 10.13 before proceeding to the latest compatible version of macOS. It is possible that if you try to install Big Sur (or Monterey if compatible), then you may need to do so twice.....once to update the system firmware, then a second time so that you can erase the drive as APFS. No matter what, I definitely recommend a 10.11 USB installer so you can easily install it if Big Sur/Monterey installer is not able to update the system yet.

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

85,308 points

Mar 3, 2024 4:20 PM in response to wb0gaz

Not all A1502 MacBook Pros can upgrade to Monterey.

Verify the age of your computer with http://checkcoverage.apple.com/ and the serial number reported by the system profiler, and then look at this page:

macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support

Then if you are compatible, recognize Catalina, Big Sur, and Monterey are only compatible with 64 bit applications. Explains what more you need to do to upgrade:

Monterey, 2021's new upgrade - Apple Community

You may have to install an intermediate OS to get there.

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Answer 3

wb0gaz Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 3, 2024 5:41 PM in response to HWTech

Thank you for the very helpful replies!

It did not occur to me that there would be firmware dependencies handled during OS upgrade cycles.

I am now downloading 10.11 currently, and will report back once I try installing that in place.

There are no application (i.e., 32-bit) dependencies --- my goal is to end up with the machine at latest OS that the unit will support, and start fresh from there.

Before attempting Monterrey, I will check vs. serial number.

Thank you again for the quick, informative and helpful replies!

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Answer 4

wb0gaz Author

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5 points

Mar 4, 2024 7:26 AM in response to a brody

I have completed download of version 10.11. The "Installing OS X" install procedure says "This will take 7 MB of space on your computer" and completes after about two minutes, ending with "The installation was successful".

After reboot, the machine is still running version 10.9.5. As I'm not native to Mac OS administration, perhaps I've omitted a crucial step to making the new OS active?

Checkcoverage yielded this: MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013).

If "Late 2013," it can run no higher than macOS 11 "Big Sur."

Therefore, I need to amend the original statement of problem to "Need to create USB install media for Big Sur using Mavericks OS" (although I believe the machine can be running OSX 10.11 which I believe may be installed but not currently selected/active?)

Thank you again for your assistance

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Answer 5

wb0gaz Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 4, 2024 8:03 AM in response to wb0gaz

OK - update --- realized that the DMG file only places the OS update application into the Applications folder. Ran the update there and it completed successfully. It is now running OS X El Capitan 10.11.6. I am letting it complete updates now (one is to the Mac App Store).

From this point to get to Big Sur (which appears to be the final version applicable to this machine), is that done via the Mac App Store?

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,350 points

Mar 4, 2024 8:25 AM in response to wb0gaz

You can get a link to the Mac App Store that will enable you to download the Big Sur installer, again, into your /Applications folder, from where you can apply the upgrade to Big Sur. Use Safari for the links if you can.

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 7

wb0gaz Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 5, 2024 11:38 AM in response to wb0gaz

Quite a bit of progress -

To A Brody - thank you for the pointer to serial number compatibility test. That pointed me to Big Sur rather than Monterrey.
To HWTech - thank you for the step-by-step - I completed the upgrade sequence you prescribed, and the machine is now running 11.5.1, which I believe is the final version intended for this hardware.

I did not try yet to create a USB install media (I did the two intermediate upgrade steps in-place, and that worked without difficulty but was not my original intention), however, the method described in apple support which I identified originally should work now that the machine's OS is sufficiently current.

Thank you both/all again for guiding me through these steps.

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Need to create USB install media for Monterrey using Mavericks OS

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