HT203195: "You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume..." alert in Installer

Learn about "You cannot install Mac OS X on this volume..." alert in Installer
Desertfalcon

Q: OS X could not be installed on your computer. OSX can't be installed on the disk Macintosh HD because a recovery system can't be created.

I just bought the new OS X 10.8 and downloaded but when I tried to install it on my computer Installation Failed and I got this message:

 

"OS X can't be installed on the disk Macintosh HD , because a recovery system can't be created."

 

I tried so many times but the same message comes out to me each time and when I restart the computer I am back to the same OS X installer and can't access my computer any more so I am really stuck I can't install the new OS X version and can't go back to the old OS X version or access my computer.

Please help

My computer is MacBook Pro 13"

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5), Trying to install the latest OS X

Posted on May 16, 2013 3:19 PM

Close

Q: OS X could not be installed on your computer. OSX can't be installed on the disk Macintosh HD because a recovery system can't be c ... more

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Previous Page 2
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy May 17, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Desertfalcon
    Level 10 (270,295 points)
    Desktops
    May 17, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Desertfalcon

    Here's what I see in your snap of DU:

     

    Screen Shot 2013-05-17 at 3.43.46 PM.png

     

    Frankly, I'm not sure what you have setup on the storage. Initially, I would expect that there is an encrypted drive set up via FileVault. To see if that's correct please open Security & Privacy preference panel. Click on the FileVault tab. Does it show FileVault as ON or OFF? Or when you formatted your drive did you choose the option for Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted?) Select your Macintosh HD and look at the status area to see how the drive is configured.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy May 17, 2013 3:53 PM in response to Desertfalcon
    Level 10 (270,295 points)
    Desktops
    May 17, 2013 3:53 PM in response to Desertfalcon

    You need to disable the encryption by turning off FileVault.

  • by Desertfalcon,

    Desertfalcon Desertfalcon May 18, 2013 3:37 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 18, 2013 3:37 AM in response to Kappy

    I will turn off FileVault and decrypt my hard disk and once finished I will let you know.What will be the next step once it is decrypted and FileVault turned off?

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy May 18, 2013 2:34 PM in response to Desertfalcon
    Level 10 (270,295 points)
    Desktops
    May 18, 2013 2:34 PM in response to Desertfalcon

    I think all you have to do is turn off FileVault. You cannot actually decrypt the drive if you have set up the encrypted filesystem. But I don't think that is necessary. Besides you must repartition the drive which means you will lose everything on the drive, so you would need a current and reliable backup before doing that.

     

    Just turn off FileVault for now and see if that solves your problem.

  • by Desertfalcon,

    Desertfalcon Desertfalcon May 19, 2013 3:48 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 19, 2013 3:48 PM in response to Kappy

    I turned off the FileVault and tried to install the OS X but again the same error came out saying installation failed and could not be completed.

    So what to do now? I need a step by step instruction on how to install the new OS X please

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy May 19, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Desertfalcon
    Level 10 (270,295 points)
    Desktops
    May 19, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Desertfalcon

    I'm stumped. I don't know what you may have done with your computer that put you in this state. I can suggest the extreme solution: backup your entire Home folder onto an external drive. Boot from your Recovery HD and reinstall OS X from scratch:

     

    Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch

     

    Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.

     

    Boot to the Recovery HD:

     

    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.

     

    Erase the hard drive:

     

      1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.

     

      2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the

          left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.

     

      3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on

            the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on

          the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.

     

      4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.

     

    Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.

     

    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible

                because it is three times faster than wireless.

Previous Page 2