Install fails after a few minutes of the installation process

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Level 1

15 points

Install fails after a few minutes of the installation process

I successfully downloaded Mountain Lion onto my circa 2010 macbook pro (8gb) but every time I try to install it, it runs the installation for a few minutes and then gives the following error:

'Install failed. OS X could not be installed on your computer. The install encountered an error that caused the installation to fail. Contact the software manufacturer for assistance. Click restart to restart your computer and try installing again.'

Every time I restart the same problem occurs. Any thoughts on a solution?

Posted on Jul 27, 2012 4:11 AM

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Answer 1

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,203 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:13 AM in response to 7426k

Have you checked your hard drive using Disk Utility to make sure you have no filesystem or disk problems?

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Answer 2

7426k Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:16 AM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Thanks for the response. I ran disk utility before the install. Now, however, I can't do any of that - every time I restart the computer it automatically goes into installation mode.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,668 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:18 AM in response to 7426k

Can you get into the Recovery HD?

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Answer 4

7426k Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:22 AM in response to Barney-15E

Barney, I don't think so - cant seem to stop the auto installation. Perhaps theres a trick to do that?

And thanks for trying to help.

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Answer 5

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,668 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:30 AM in response to 7426k

To get to the Recovery HD normally, you hold down cmd-r as soon as you hear the startup tone (with a wired keyboard you can hold it down from restart).

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Answer 6

7426k Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:44 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks again, Barney. I was able to get into that mode, and I now have four options: restore from time machine (though my drive for that is at home and I'm in my office...), reinstall OSX, get help online or Disk Utility.

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Answer 7

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,668 points

Jul 27, 2012 4:47 AM in response to 7426k

Try Disk utiltiy and Repair the Disk.

May as well repair permissions while you are there.

Then, see if you can install.

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Answer 8

7426k Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 27, 2012 5:14 AM in response to Barney-15E

I tan the repair, but the "Repair permissions" button was not available (it was light grey instead of black letters, meaning it's not an option).

I then restarted and tried the installation again. Unfortunately, I got the same error about 15 minutes into the installation.

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Answer 9

7426k Author

Level 1

15 points

Jul 27, 2012 6:00 AM in response to 7426k

FYI, I contacted customer support through the Apple website. They called me within seconds and asked me to erase - reinstall from Time Machine backup.

I must say, the Apple customer support was absurdly good. Answered my questions, allayed my fears about erasing, waited patiently while I worked through her directions...Really helped make a bad situation much more palatable. It's that kind of customer service that keeps customers even when problems arise.

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