How to fix MacOS installation issues on late MacBook Pro

The older online macOS installers such as Lion are a mixed bag....sometimes they work & other times they don't. As @leroydouglas suggested.....try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to access the macOS 10.13 High Sierra online installer (even this installer may still have some problems these days, but it is your best option).

I would also suggest performing a PRAM Reset (hold for at least three chimes) since OCLP seems to modify the NVRAM settings which perhaps is causing problems as well.

Otherwise you will need access to another compatible Mac in order to create a bootable macOS USB installer using the instructions in the following Apple article:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Generally for this 2011 laptop you need access to another Mac from 2007 to 2018.

• For macOS 10.13 -- a Mac from Late-2009 to 2018
• For macOS 10.11 -- a Mac from 2007 to 2015

You can use the information in the following article to confirm the other Mac is compatible with one of these operating systems since there are some exceptions to the info I listed above:

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

lio35 wrote:

Alright, so I did the PRAM reset but it didn't help. Do I really need to get a hold of someone with a 2007-2015 Mac or is there any other way?

If you cannot access the macOS 10.13 High Sierra online installer using Command + Option + R, then you will need to resort to creating a bootable macOS USB installer for either macOS 10.11 or 10.13. Since either installer will work, it does give you a very wide range of Macs so you are likely to either have one or know someone who does.

lio35 wrote:

Hi, I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro, I wanted to reset it completely by erasing the drive that was in it but I've just now read that you shouldn't do that. Have I gone too far, can my macBook be rescued at all? Please help, I really just want to use the MacBook! When I try to reinstall Lion it tells me to wait -2,00000 (some incomprehensible amount of time) hours and then tells me it can't be done for a reason I don't understand. Ive tried to load Lion on a SD card and to install it but I get error code 254 source busy. Im not a professional and I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew but maybe ill learn something with good help from this community. Please help me im at my wits end

You do not say what you were running or as to why did you erase it?

With firmware updates the ≥2010 Mac’s running macOS ≥10.12.6 should have access to Internet Recovery

ref:

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support