MacBook Pro A1286: 'a required download is missing' error

niklas107 wrote:

I have a macbook pro A1286 without battery.

That is a 15" model. Many of the 2008-2011 15" & 17" models had GPU issues. I doubt that is the problem here, but we must always keep it in mind.

And the charger contact burn when I tryed it for thw first time.

But I buy a new contact and start the computer.

Do you mean you replaced the DC-In Board, or just the contact on the Magsafe port?

And to my suprise it start.

I install el capitan And it works.

But I only start the computer with option at start up, and shift + harddrive in safe mode.

But it works.

It won't boot to the internal drive normally? The only way you can boot to the internal drive is by Option Booting?

I can't use recovery mode, and internet recovery why I dont now.

I tryed to install Sierra, the installation goes to 100%, and suddenly restart.

And then nothing, whant not work.

After the first file copy phase of the install completes, then it will restart the computer to initiate phase 2 where the installation performs steps that can only be done while booting into the partially installed new OS.

Since you mentioned that the laptop seems to only boot from the Option Boot screen, have you tried that after forcing a shutdown by holding the power button until the system powers off?

Are you saying you get no Apple logo, no progress bar after the reboot? Same if you Option Boot after the "failed" install?

Usually that indicates a bad Hard Drive. A Hard Drive may appear perfectly fine during phase one of the install because all the data is mostly being transferred to the Hard Drive, but during Phase 2....large amounts of data are being transferred both ways and putting more stress on the drive.

I tryed to install el capitan again.

And now I get the error : a required download is missing mac.

And I dont now what it means,

Neither do we. I've seen that reported by others, but I'm not sure why. Unfortunately Apple is not keeping the older online installers in working order, or it may be due to a hardware issue with your laptop.

I tryed to change the date to 2017 and did not work.

That should not be needed since Apple did update the certificates for their online installers a few years ago. This would only be needed if you were booting from an old El Capitan install using local Recovery Mode or an old USB installer.

I hope someone can help me.

Try running the Apple Diagnostics to see if any hardware issues are detected. A passing result does not necessarily mean everything is Ok, only that during those tests a failure was not triggered (either the test isn't testing for the exact issue, or the issue did not happen while running the tests).

If you have an Early-2011 model, then try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to attempt to access the online High Sierra installer. If successful, then you may still encounter an issue about "the recovery server could not be contatcted" where you may need to use Fix #3 in the following article:

https://mrmacintosh.com/how-to-fix-the-recovery-server-could-not-be-contacted-error-high-sierra-recovery-is-still-online-but-broken/

Unfortunately some Macs may only boot to the online installer for the older version of macOS which originally shipped with the laptop from the factory regardless of the keys used to start up.

If you have access to another Mac model 2008 to 2018, then follow @D.I. Johnson's advice to create a bootable macOS USB installer. The other Mac must be compatible with the OS you are creating, but can currently be running any version of macOS 10.6+. You can use the information in the following article to confirm compatibility with the OS since the models I'm listing here are just generalizations as there may be some exceptions:

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

macOS 10.13 --- model Late-2009 to 2018

macOS 10.11 --- model 2008 to 2015

Just out of curiosity, how are you planning to use this laptop if you get macOS High Sierra installed?

The early-2011 MacBook Pro can run up to macOS 10.13.6 High Sierra.

You can best install that by means of a bootable USB installer that you create on a Mac that is working properly.

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

I recommend you try to create an installer for macOS 10.13 High Sierra. This will give you the potential to get the most from that Mac.

Unfortunately, the early-2011 MacBook Pro does not meet the minimum requirements to run Windows 10 in a Boot Camp partition. Install Windows 10 on your Mac with Boot Camp Assistant - Apple Support.

According to documents online, the 2011 MBP also does not qualify to run VMWare Fusion (back to v. 10.x) to allow Windows to be run as a virtual machine. https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/315597/vmware-fusion-system-requirements.html.

I feel like I'm raining on your parade here, that's not my intent. I'm just being pragmatic about the prospects for this old MacBook Pro.

Perhaps others will post up some positive guidance for you before long.

MacBook Pro models older than 2011 models generally not have Recovery in their ROM.

The way you install and prepare these models is with the Utilities on an Installer DVD.

According to the Mactracker application, that "A1286" MacBook Pro is one of seven models released between 2008 and 2012. Exactly which year is it, do you know? The best guidance we can give you here will depend on your answer.

Regardless, your MBP is very old and very obsolete and it wants to retire. You'd be wise to throw a party for it and let it go, imho.

What is your plan for this old hardware?

Hobby use is one thing, but trying to get any productive use from it is another thing entirely.