strat0caster
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Cannot boot from usb to install El Capitan

I accepted a Mid 2012 macbook pro from my dad, which hasn't been used for years (in fact since the year he bought it). So the first thing I did was upgrade the system straight to El Capitan, but then I found the system a bit slow so I am planning to install a new SSD and a new and clean OS for better experience.

 

So I started preparing all kinds of things, one of which is a USB containing the Install El Capitan app.I did this by downloading El Capitan from appstore and creating a usb media through the following command lines. The USB drive was erased and formatted before operation.

 

sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/OSX --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app --nointeraction

 

This should make the USB a install media. So I restarted, pressed option key and saw the original Macintosh HD and the USB, everything was going fine until now. Then I selected the USB and it just stuck at the loading screen like this.

1.jpg

I have been stuck here for hours. In fact I haven't installed the SSD yet. I'm just trying to see if the USB install media worked fine, but obviously it didn't. I know I could use a software to clone my system from HDD to the new SSD, that would be far more simpler, but I really want to install a new OS. Does anyone have any ideas about what the problem is or what should I do next? Thanks a lot.

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 18, 2016 12:56 AM

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strat0caster

Q: Cannot boot from usb to install El Capitan

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  • by coolguy 73,

    coolguy 73 coolguy 73 May 18, 2016 2:09 AM in response to strat0caster
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    May 18, 2016 2:09 AM in response to strat0caster

    boot into the Macintosh HD and then shutdown and startup while holding 'd'. Maybe there is a hardware problem?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 18, 2016 3:56 AM in response to strat0caster
    Level 9 (52,705 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 18, 2016 3:56 AM in response to strat0caster

    Read these Apple guidelines:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065

     

    Even though this was your fathers MBP, I suggest that you boot the MBP with the OPTION + COMMAND +R keys.  You will get this display:

    Screen Shot 2015-12-25 at 3.16.56 PM.png

    This will connect you to the Apple servers and by following the directions, allow you to ERASE the HDD and install the ORIGINAL OSX that the MBP came with.

     

    The result will be that the MBP will be connected to your Apple ID and allow you to perform all current and future updates.

     

    The open the App store and download El Capitan.

     

    A solid Internet connection will be required.

     

    Ciao.

  • by strat0caster,

    strat0caster strat0caster May 18, 2016 11:40 AM in response to strat0caster
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 18, 2016 11:40 AM in response to strat0caster

    Thank you guys for replying. I kinda bypassed the problem...

     

    I removed the optical driver, put the old HDD there and put the new SSD in the hard disk port. Then I booted Macintosh HD and just run the install app and installed the OS directly into the SSD. It worked out just fine.. kinda like a dual-boot trick. Though I haven't really figured out what's wrong with the USB driver, that doesn't seem to matter much now. Thank you anyway!