bogdan38
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: MacBook crashes during boot

I'm having the following problems:

 

- after latest El Capitan update, my Macbook Pro (mid 2010) crashes (turns off) during boot.

- I'm unable to boot in safe mode, the only way is recovery mode.

- I've run disk utility with ok results.

- I've done PRAM reset with no effect.

- I'm trying to reinstall El Capitan as a last resort but I'm getting the following error message: "An error occured while preparing the installation. Try running this application again."

 

Currently I'm really stuck in the middle of nothing, everything I've tried goes terribly wrong and I have no clue what is going on.

Please help,

Thanks.

Posted on Dec 26, 2015 2:54 AM

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bogdan38

Q: MacBook crashes during boot

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 26, 2015 4:22 AM in response to bogdan38
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 26, 2015 4:22 AM in response to bogdan38

    If you can, check if your MBP had a kernel panic.  If so, use these instructions to post it:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201753

     

    Ciao.

  • by bogdan38,

    bogdan38 bogdan38 Dec 26, 2015 5:44 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2015 5:44 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    As far as I can see, I can gather that info from my log files in the library, but my problem is I cannot acces my files at all since my Mac doesn't complete the boot sequence. I get the grey bar during start-up and in the middle of it, the OSX crashes and the computer shuts off all of a sudden. I'm now in recovery mode with only a few options left.

     

    Thanks.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 26, 2015 6:54 AM in response to bogdan38
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 26, 2015 6:54 AM in response to bogdan38

    If possible, please set the system clock as instructed here. If you can only start up in Recovery mode, see below.

    In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. Safari will launch. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your bookmarks or history. Load this web page.

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:

    date 0801000014

    Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.

    Quit Safari. You'll be returned to the OS X Utilities screen.

    Select

              Utilities ▹ Terminal

    from the menu bar. A Terminal window will open. Paste into the window by pressing the key combination command-V.

    Wait for a new line ending in a hash sign (#) to appear below what you entered. If it doesn't appear, press return.

    Quit Terminal to return to the main screen. Try the installation again.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 26, 2015 9:52 AM in response to bogdan38
    Level 9 (52,776 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 26, 2015 9:52 AM in response to bogdan38

    If you have your data backed up and all else fails, consider using the original installation disks and erasing the HDD and installing Snow Leopard.  Use the Snow Leopard combo update to get 10.6.8 installed.  This will allow you to try and install any newer OSX that you have in your App store account or El Capitan again.

     

    Ciao.

  • by bogdan38,

    bogdan38 bogdan38 Dec 26, 2015 7:03 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 26, 2015 7:03 PM in response to Linc Davis

    By doing that, I've managed to reset date/time in Terminal, but after trying the installation again it appears the server does not recognize my Apple password anymore.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 26, 2015 7:32 PM in response to bogdan38
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 26, 2015 7:32 PM in response to bogdan38

    What is the error message now?

  • by bogdan38,

    bogdan38 bogdan38 Dec 27, 2015 2:59 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 27, 2015 2:59 AM in response to Linc Davis

    It says "There was an error connecting to the Apple ID server".

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 27, 2015 7:45 AM in response to bogdan38
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 27, 2015 7:45 AM in response to bogdan38

    That may be a problem in the network or at Apple's end, but you could try entering this command as before:

    date 1201000015

  • by bogdan38,

    bogdan38 bogdan38 Dec 27, 2015 9:05 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 27, 2015 9:05 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Have tried again as advised, and I'm back to  "An error occured while preparing the installation. Try running this application again."

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Dec 27, 2015 9:31 AM in response to bogdan38
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Dec 27, 2015 9:31 AM in response to bogdan38

    Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider. You may have to leave the machine there for several days.

    Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.

    If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.

    Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair

    Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.

    *An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

  • by bogdan38,

    bogdan38 bogdan38 Dec 27, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 27, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Will probably do that...thanks for your patience.