Error Issues w/USB Fresh El Capitan install to SSD drive

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mr2sticks Author

Level 1

23 points

Error Issues w/USB Fresh El Capitan install to SSD drive

Hi,

I created USB flash installer drive in terminal.

Installed the SSD in machine. (formatted OS X journalled)

Pressed power and alt key.

Chose the SSD to install OS X El Capitan onto...

I'm getting the 'An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again'.

The date was correct in Terminal but I re-entered just in case.

I tried to erase the SSD in disk utility whilst it was in my machine but that also failed saying disk couldn't be unmounted.

What could be the issue? What are my options?

I'm currently creating another installed on a different flash drive.

Should I be formatting the SSD in a different way i.e. with a partition/GUID?

Thanks,

Chris

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10), 13"

Posted on Feb 13, 2016 4:08 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 13, 2016 4:17 AM in response to mr2sticks

Hi Mr2Sticks:

Another way to get your SSD ready is to put it in either an external drive http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Search.cfm?Ntk=Primary&Ns=P_Price%7c0&Ne=5000&N =6430&Ntt=On-The-Go+Kit or use a USB to SATA cable to connect SSD. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B006J2L0ZM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detai lpage_o07_s00

Once your SSD in connected via USB you can use either Carbon Copy Cloner https://bombich.com/ or Super Duper to make a bootable clone of your hard drive. The nice thing about a bootable clone, is that you can test it without removing your hard drive.

If the clone works ok, then you can replace the HD in your computer with SSD.

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Answer 2

mr2sticks Author

Level 1

23 points

Feb 13, 2016 4:24 AM in response to KimUserName

Hi KimUserName,

I have one of these and have used it to format the SSD prior to removing the current internal HHD.

Could I try and install El Capitan on the SSD via the external caddy?

Would I have to boot in a specific mode? Then choose the SSD?

Thanks,

Chris

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Answer 3

Feb 13, 2016 4:30 AM in response to mr2sticks

If you are going to use either Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper, then what I would suggest is to upgrade to El Capitan on your existing HD and then clone it to SSD. Then test it in the external drive.

That is how I did mine. I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro 13".

Also here are some install videos which may be helpful. http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/

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Answer 4

chroot

Level 4

1,102 points

Feb 13, 2016 4:31 AM in response to mr2sticks

The GUID for the partition should be created automatically. It's probably an issue with the flash drive or the installer app that was used to create the installer.

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Answer 5

Feb 13, 2016 4:35 AM in response to mr2sticks

Hi again Mr2Sticks:

I also found this tech note which may be helpful. How to install OS X on an external drive connected to your Mac - Apple Support

Kim

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Answer 6

Feb 13, 2016 4:49 AM in response to mr2sticks

Hello,

Your drive should be formatted as: Mac OS Extended (journaled) (or HFS+ using another terminology)

If it cannot be unmounted than you can try to unmount it using the Terminal:

First find the volume name first via this terminal command:

diskutil list

You can then attempt to unmount it with this command

diskutil unmountDisk force /Volumes/VOLUMENAME (replace with the "name" moniker found through the first command)

If successful you can try to erase and reformat the SSD with this:

diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ Macintosh\ HD /dev/DISKIDENTIFIER (replace with the identifier found in the first command, usually something like disk1s2, you can also recognize it by the GB-amount associated with it)

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