Can't install El Capitan on new SSD

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't install El Capitan on new SSD

Trying to install El Capitan on using the USB drive method on my mid 2012 13" macbook pro (9,2) and I can't seem to get it to work at all. Using a PNY CS1311 240GB SSD. When it begins installing El Capitan I get about a minute before it stops and says "OS X could not be installed on your computer. Couldn't complete copy". I've tried a few times without any luck, and upon booting my laptop for the first time with the SSD I erased, then formatted with OS X Extended (Journaled) and GUID partition map, so I know it's formatted correctly.

I've successfully installed OSX on my old HDD using the same USB drive so I'm not really sure if that's the issue.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Posted on Apr 23, 2016 3:50 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,317 points

Apr 23, 2016 3:54 PM in response to Joseph_C

I would try Internet recovery (OPTION + COMMAND + R) and try to install the original OSX that your MBP came with. That at least will give you a functional MBP. Then try the El Capitan install.

You will need a solid Internet connection.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Joseph_C Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2016 4:17 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Will try that, thanks.

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Answer 3

Apr 23, 2016 5:01 PM in response to Joseph_C

Hi Joseph:

I suggest that you install your new SSD in an enclosure OWC external case or using a USB to SATA adapter USB to SATA adapter and connect it to your MBP via USB.

Open Disk Utility>Erase and format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and a GUID partition.

Then use a third party application such as Carbon Copy Cloner Carbon Copy Cloner (Not free, but worth the price) or Super Duper to copy all data from the internal HDD as well as the recovery partition.

The clone will be a exact copy of your hard drive and it will be bootable.

Boot the MBP with the OPTION key (Startup Manager) and select the new SSD. How to choose a startup disk on your Mac

If it boots the MBP, perform the physical swap of drives.

Kim

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Answer 4

Joseph_C Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2016 6:07 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

So, I tried to install an older version of OSX using the internet recovery feature. I've spent from since the time you posted and now (I think a couple hours) the installer countdown kept looping back over from 59 minutes every time it reached around 15 or so minutes. I don't know why it would take more than half an hour tops to install OSX on an SSD anyway, so I stopped the installation.

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Answer 5

Joseph_C Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 23, 2016 9:26 PM in response to Joseph_C

After some patience I went the route of doing the internet recovery and installing Lion and then upgrading to El Capitan after that. Computer in running faster than ever now, thanks for the suggestions guys 😀

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