i have an older imac 18.3 and im getting the folder error. the normal fixes don't work.
trying to create a ventura bootable drive. so i can get my files.
when i try to download the files from my macbook it tells me "This installer cannot be used from the version of macOS you are running."
iMac (2017 – 2020)
are you just copying the installer to the thumb drive directly from the applications folder by drag and drop? if yes, that is NOT how it's done. please refer to Create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support to create the bootable installer.
are you just copying the installer to the thumb drive directly from the applications folder by drag and drop? if yes, that is NOT how it's done. please refer to Create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support to create the bootable installer.
ODog wrote:
so i have my OS on bootable drive
are you sure about that? from your earlier reply, you said "i grabbed it from the applications folder." to me, that says you dragged "install macOS Ventura" from the applications folder, and dropped it on the thumb drive. if that is what you did, then that IS NOT a bootable installer. you need to follow the instructions in the apple support document Create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support.
if you followed those instructions correctly, then I need to ask, are we discussing an apple silicon Mac?
It seems you have an iMac 27" (2017) model.
The easiest option would be to boot into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to attempt to access the online Ventura installer. Some Macs may only access the online installer for the OS which originally shipped with the Mac from the factory which for your Mac is macOS 10.12 Sierra which can also be used (theoretically depending if Apple has broken it....may also be possible to fix it as well if it is broken).
If your local network or Internet is not sufficient for accessing the online installers, then you can create & use a bootable macOS USB installer, but you must follow the instructions exactly in the Apple article @jeffreythefrog linked. You will need access to another Mac generally from 2017 to mid-mid-2023 in order to download & create the bootable Ventura USB installer.
FYI, you do not copy the installer to the external drive since the installer you download is just a regular app.....you need to use the Terminal command line as mentioned in the Apple article @jeffreythefrog linked in order to actually create a bootable macOS Ventura USB installer from the downloaded Ventura installer app.
More than likely the iMac's internal Hard Drive has failed as that is the most likely reason to get the folder with blinking question mark. If the internal Hard Drive has failed, then the "easiest" option would be to install macOS onto an external USB3 SSD so you can continue using the iMac by booting & running it from the external SSD.
You can try running the Apple Diagnostics to see if any hardware issues are detected. If a drive failure is shown, then at least you have your answer, however, unfortunately the diagnostics rarely detect hardware issues even when a hardware issue is confirmed through other methods.
ODog wrote:
but it did download it automatically to finder.
in your home folder? or your applications folder? it must be in the latter location to create the bootable installer.
Tesserax wrote:
as that Mac would need to be running Ventura or newer to be able to download it.
I must disagree. I have more than once created a bootable installer for a macOS that was earlier than the one running on my Mac. as long as the Mac that you need to use to create the bootable installer is compatible with the desired macOS there should not be an issue.
to the OP: are you following the instructions in Create a bootable installer for macOS – Apple Support?
What version of macOS is the Mac that you are trying to download the Ventura installer from? ... as that Mac would need to be running Ventura or newer to be able to download it.
those are the correct steps for using an Intel Mac. and your tagline appears as you are on an Intel Mac.
if you are not seeing the installer on the "option boot" then it is possible it was not created correctly. if the "install macOS Ventura" application is still in your applications folder, you might want to try the "createinstallmedia" command again to try and reload the installer onto the thumb drive.
so it looks like it downloaded it into finder.
i'm trying to open up imac ventura that currently doesn't see the OS.
not sure of the next step?
do i grab the ventura download and put it on to external hd that i want to boot from?
if so, i did that and tried to open imac in boot mode but it goes to internet recovery setup. which does not complete.
when i follow these steps:
it wants me to connect to internet and then it tries to run internet recovery. i don't get option for bootable volumes.
Tesserax wrote:
Isn't that what I said in my post?
no, your exact words were "as that Mac would need to be running Ventura or newer to be able to download it."
Maybe I wasn't be clear ... not enough coffee this morning. ;)
LOL. we've all been there. ;)
so i have my OS on bootable drive
i can't get the imac to boot so i can see bootable volumes?
when i hit power and then option, i hold option down but the first screen that pops up is selecting internet and then it wants me to use internet recovery.
no choice of bootable drives
i'm running sequoia on macbook.
it didn't give me download option is system settings which threw me off, but it did download it automatically to finder.
i grabbed it from the applications folder.
Isn't that what I said in my post? Maybe I wasn't be clear ... not enough coffee this morning. ;)
Thanks for the catch and correction. Much appreciated!
downloading mac ventura os from a mac with different OS
