Segmentation Fault, When Creating Bootable Media

So just to be clear, you actually have two issues.

You have one laptop which is having Kernel Panics (aka unexpected reboots) and you have a second laptop which is unable to create a bootable macOS Sonoma USB installer because the second laptop ends up with a "segmentation fault" while trying to create the bootable Sonoma USB installer by using Apple's instructions for the command line.

Is this correct?

First, are you planning to perform a clean install of macOS on the first laptop which has the Kernel Panics? A clean install is when you erase the disk prior to installing macOS.

Kernel Panics are primarily caused by one of two things:

• • • A hardware issue
    • An issue with some third party software

A clean install is only useful for confirming a hardware failure, but that requires testing the clean install thoroughly before restoring from a backup, and before installing any third party software, and before signing into your AppleID/iCloud. Most people tend to skip this testing because they cannot do everything they need with the laptop. If the laptop still Kernel Panics with a clean install under these conditions, then you have confirmed a hardware issue (make sure to disconnect all external devices since they can cause problems too). Reinstalling macOS over top of itself most likely won't do anything for you here since the macOS system files are now located on a signed & sealed read-only volume....so the system files have not been damaged.

If you can boot the first laptop into Safe Mode and not get any Kernel Panics, then you have most likely confirmed an issue with some third party installed software. The usual culprits are anti-virus apps, cleaning/optimizing apps, or third party security software since they are known to cause all sorts of issues because they interfere with the normal operation of macOS.

You can post several of the full Kernel Panic logs here for us to review to see if we see any clues or patterns. The Kernel Panics are located in "/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports" folder with file names beginning with "kernel" and ending in ".panic". If there are none in that folder, then check the "Retired" sub folder.

You can also run the third party app EtreCheck and post the full report here so we can examine it for clues.

You can also run the Apple Diagnostics to see if any hardware issues are detected.

Now for the issue creating the bootable macOS Sonoma USB installer:

Please provide a screenshot of the Terminal window showing the command used and all of the output from that command. Also, please confirm your USB stick is named "MacBoot" without any spaces in the name.

Try booting the second laptop into Safe Mode and try running the Terminal command again. Perhaps you have some third party software installed which is interfering with the process.

What is the exact model of both Macs? You can get this information by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac", and if the Mac is unable to boot, then enter the system serial number on the check coverage page here, but please don't post your serial number on this forum since it is considered personal information:

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support

Garhay wrote:

Morning everyone,

Like the title says, i have a Install MacOS Sonoma in applications, and I understand each terminal input is different depending on the OS your installing

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MacBoot

it returns with

zsh: segmentation fault sudo --Volumes/MacBoot

I need to do this because it is looping with: Your computer restarted because of a problem Press any key or wait a few seconds to continue starting up.

I tried just reinstalling the OS, but it says there isnt enough space. So my thought pattern was boot from the bootable. Then i can move data to proceed with fixing the OS. (icloud backup is not on, and data is needed)

Any help would be much appreciated.

When attempting to Reinstall Sonoma and says" Not Enough Empty Space "

Remove the 12.xx GB " Install Sonoma application " from the Applications folder.

This " Not Enough Empty Space " needs to be addressed without the added Bootable Installer in the mix

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 including what the computer is experiencing now.

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 

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.

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.  

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 Shots on the Internal Drive awaiting the TM Backup Drive to be attached. 

Only then,  will the Snaps Shots be transferred to the External Drive.

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

See used and available storage space on your Mac

Locate backups of your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

If 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

The same clearing of System Cache files can be achieved by booting into Safe Mode

They will be recreated as the System Requires 

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer. 

The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 

This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer.

Example : Bootable Installer of Sonoma would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Sonoma

This can become more complicated if one what to make a Bootable Installer from an Apple Intel computer and use it on an Apple Silicon Computer

The Intel Computer will not make a Bootable Installer that Will Work on Apple M1, M2, M3 Silicon Computers.

Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can’t be used.

Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.

If I understand correctly ?

To install Sonoma, as a functioning and working Operating System, On an External Drive is the ultimate goal ?

Then, boot off of the External Drive to perform some type of Clean Up of the Problematic MacBook ?

👍