Hi,
I have a 2019 MacBook Pro that I'd like to install Start9 OS on. I'm running into an issue when trying to boot from the usb. My Mac tells me I need to update to boot from the startup disk. After updating I keep getting a "cannot verify disk" message when I try to boot from the usb drive.
Any ideas of how I might track down the problem?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.3
With those T2 Macs, you need to first modify the computer's security settings using the Startup Security Utility to allow booting from USB. You may also need to select the "No Security" option if you want to boot an non-Apple OS on a T2 Mac. See the following Apple article for details:
About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support
With those T2 Macs, you need to first modify the computer's security settings using the Startup Security Utility to allow booting from USB. You may also need to select the "No Security" option if you want to boot an non-Apple OS on a T2 Mac. See the following Apple article for details:
About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support
Liberty 456 wrote:
I found the security utility. I switched it to allow booting from any drive, but it says that the firmware password is set to on. I never set that I can remember,
Did you try your password (or whatever you may have typed if that option was selected)? There have been times when I was trying to access the Startup Security Utility and almost enabled the firmware password by mistake.
so it must have been on when I purchased the mac. I assume this means I have to take it to shop to get it changed?
No, if you are not the original owner, then you won't have the necessary proof of purchase to allow Apple to clear the firmware lock. Only the original owner can remove that firmware lock, or will have the necessary paperwork to have Apple remove the firmware lock (must be done by the original owner).
This is one of the dangers of purchasing a used Mac....whether the firmware lock existed when you purchased the Mac or whether you or someone else with admin access enabled it, the result is still the same.
This is one reason why I always recommend people perform a clean install of macOS themselves on any used device since it would reveal a firmware password lock and whether a previous owner is still managing the Mac even if the previous owner did seemingly perform all the steps in the following Apple article (the new owner would start at Step #6):
What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support
It is very likely that Start9 is not compatible with a T2 Mac. I know that even Linux isn't well supported on the T2 Macs, so any other bootable OS probably is even less likely to work on a T2 Mac. I would suggest you confirm Start9 is fully compatible with a T2 Mac by contacting the Start9 developer & tech support team.
Liberty 456 wrote:
Hi,
I have a 2019 MacBook Pro that I'd like to install Start9 OS on. I'm running into an issue when trying to boot from the usb. My Mac tells me I need to update to boot from the startup disk. After updating I keep getting a "cannot verify disk" message when I try to boot from the usb drive.
Any ideas of how I might track down the problem?
hmmm...
for your third party—
if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates…
Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support
Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support
Start OS compatibility - DIY Community Support
I found the security utility. I switched it to allow booting from any drive, but it says that the firmware password is set to on. I never set that I can remember, so it must have been on when I purchased the mac. I assume this means I have to take it to shop to get it changed?
Thanks. It will be a shame if that's the case. I'll investigate. It has been successfully installed on other macs, but as yet T2 Macs are not on the list.
It is also an issue with my MacBook though, I think. After a reboot it tells me that I need to update before I can boot from the startup disk, but after updating it still tells me I need to update. So far as I know there is nothing wrong with the usb that I'm trying to boot from. I'll experiment with that though and try different versions.
Thanks.
After some fluffing around I use my admin password on it and it turned it off. All the settings are now set to theoretically enable me to boot from the usb drive, but it's still in the eternal loop. It tells me I need to update to boot from the chosen startup disk. I choose update, it goes through the motions of updating, but when I boot into the startup options again it just does it again.
Any ideas of where to investigate next?
I can't find a startup security utility on my mac.
Okay. I see I have to boot into it. Thanks for the info. Fingers crossed I can sort it out.
Unable to boot MacBook Pro from external USB startup disk
