Unable to create a Bootable ISO for MacBook Pro?

Question

Level 1

13 points

Unable to create a Bootable ISO for MacBook Pro?

Hello,

I need some help creating a bootable OS installation for my old 2012 MacBook Pro, and my main OS is Sequoia 15.1.1.

Before I erased the hard drive on the old Macbook, it was running Catalina 10.15.7.

Foolishly, I think I may have erased the original OS. When I restart the Mac and press Command + R, it keeps going to the spinning globe Choose Network screen, and I can’t progress any further.

I have downloaded the Sierra 10.12 .dmg, and it opens as a .pkg file.

I have attempted to follow the instructions using Terminal at https://support.apple.com/en-au/101578, but I receive an error after I enter my password.

sudo: /Applications/Install macOS Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia: command not found

I would love to get some advice from someone, as the MacBook was still working mostly fine.

Thanks so much,

booragal

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Jan 4, 2025 7:38 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 4, 2025 8:01 PM in response to booragal

booragal wrote:

Hi MrHoffman,

Thank so much for getting back to me.

What do you mean by Command-Option-R "chord"?

Boot recovery holding all of the Command ⌘ key, the Option ⌥ key, and the R key together; as a chord.

See the section “Start up your Intel-based Mac in macOS Recovery“ here:

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

And, what do you mean by "avoiding that path here"

Getting macOS 10.12 installed and working is work. It’s something I’d rather avoid describing in detail as it’s probably also entirely unnecessary here. Particularly if ⌘⌥R works.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

61,844 points

Jan 5, 2025 6:54 PM in response to booragal

Try power cycling the router. Wait at least five minutes for the router to finish booting.

If you have access to another working Mac from about 2007 to mid-2020, then you can use it to create a bootable macOS USB installer:

macOS 10.15 -- a Mac model 2012 to mid-2020
macOS 10.13 -- a Mac model Late-2009 to mid-2018
macOS 10.11 -- a Mac model 2007 to 2015

Those are just generalizations, so you need to confirm the particular OS is compatible with that other Mac by using the information in this article:

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

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Answer 3

booragal Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 5, 2025 12:22 AM in response to MrHoffman

Hi Mr. Hoffman,

Thank you so much for replying so quickly!

Unfortunately, pressing the Command ⌘ key, the Option ⌥ key, and the R key together still brings me back to the 'Choose Network' screen. The keyboard must be working because when I don't select anything, the folder with a question mark icon flashes, and when I reboot and press the key combination, it recognises it, but sadly takes me to the network screen. As you can see from the screenshots, I can't select my local networks.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Booragal

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Answer 4

Jan 5, 2025 7:47 AM in response to booragal

Can you select the … entry there?

If not, reset your SMC and NVRAM.

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Answer 5

booragal Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 5, 2025 6:24 PM in response to HWTech

Hi HWTech,

Thanks for trying to help.

When I click the "..." I am able to enter your Wifi details (SSID and password), but the little wheel keeps going round and round. I have attempted to reset the SMC and NVRAM.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

127,439 points

Jan 5, 2025 12:51 AM in response to booragal

booragal wrote:

sudo: /Applications/Install macOS Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia: command not found

FWIW, the message indicates you're attempting to create a Sequoia bootable USB, not a Sierra USB.

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Answer 7

booragal Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 5, 2025 6:27 PM in response to MrHoffman

Hi MrHoffman,

Thank you again for getting back to me.

Yes, I can select the "..." which takes to a screen to manually enter the SSID and Password, but when I press the tick button, a little circle to the right just keeps spinning.

I attempted to reset the SMC and NVRAM, but no luck.

However, I just wanted to check the order to make sure that I am going it correctly.

1) Reset SMC and shut down

2) Reset NVRAM and shut down

3) Command ⌘ key, the Option ⌥ key, and the R key together; as a chord (which takes me to the network screen)

Thanks again for trying to help.

Kind Regards,

Booragal

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