Macbook Pro forces into start options

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yzyzx3 Author

Level 1

8 points

Macbook Pro forces into start options

Hi there, since we have poured some coffee over our macbook pro M1, we have had a pretty strange thing:

the mac will always try to boot into start options.

We dont press any key.

It even happens when the apple reatailer detaches the keyboard

Mac will present "macintosh HD" or "start options". whatever I choose, i will always end up in start options.

I have a new MBA ready and I tried to mount and share the volume via options/revovery partition etc, but to no avail.

The data still seems to be there: when I share the volume on another mac, i can access the data.

but migration assistant on other mac sees no source.

any idea on how i can log into the mac to transfer the system completely to the new machine?

thanks!

Posted on Oct 31, 2024 3:44 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

D.I. Johnson

Level 8

41,681 points

Oct 31, 2024 4:43 PM in response to yzyzx3

You really don't need or want to transfer the system completely from one Mac to another and you won't be able to.

If you can share the volume on another Mac and access the data that way, then maybe you can simply copy (drag n drop?) that data to another drive, no? If Migration Assistant is a no-go, use a method that will go.

You really only need to copy whatever folders and files are in the Home folder of each user account. Users are pretty much limited to accessing those folders anyway. Any miscellaneous apps that you've added to the old laptop will probably have to be downloaded again and reinstalled on the new one.

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Answer 2

yzyzx3 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2024 3:05 AM in response to yzyzx3

After some more digging with perplexity.ai I was actually able to easily boot the mac into the user.

AI suggested to go into DFU-mode. When I just tried to boot with right shift / left option and control, the mac booted smoothly into the user and all data was there. I am now making a backup / transfer to new mac and will then see if i can reinstall the firmware, which might be the problem. Funny thing is, the mac may perfectly be fine, after my registered apple dealer did tear it appart, tried to disconnet the keyboard and so on....

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Answer 3

yzyzx3 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 31, 2024 10:39 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Yes, this is a possiblity. However, I think it doesnt cover some password files, right?

I worry about the small hidden things, settings and so on and so forth

This is why I am trying to access the mac either as a user or with migration assistant. and on a side note, its a peculiar problem i never encountered so far and I wonder how to solve it

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Answer 4

yzyzx3 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2024 3:38 PM in response to yzyzx3

Still investigating -- i dont seem to be able to boot the machine into DFU mode, which I am trying to get in to restore the firmware... any ideas?

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Macbook Pro forces into start options

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