"No bag entry" when trying to reinstall Sierra

I got the "no bag entry" error as well; in my case I was reformatting my hard drive to try to address some random application hang events. It turns out that I was getting this "no bag entry" error because I was not connected to any network. I could use the wireless icon in the menu bar to select my home wireless network, after which time I installed Sierra without issue.

You can hold the r and command button while restarting your mac but be sure to be connected to the internet. The Apple Internet Repair Service will start and install your old OS. After the automatic restart you can install the additional components and later the newest OS. You don't need to purchase an old OS again.

Kappy,

When I get to the Disk Utility window and click on the partition tab, the drop down is greyed out and will not let me click 1. I'm not sure why this is. Do you have any suggestions for a solution? Thanks

I needed to restore Sierra on a MacBook Pro 2017 model and for the same error whenever I tried to reinstall. As it happens, I had a USB hub plugged into a port. I pulled it out and then it worked

Apple gets my vote for the most bizarre and useless error message ever.

You will have to start using the original Snow Leopard discs that came with the computer when it was new. If you don't have them, then you can purchase the last retail Snow Leopard DVD:

You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store:Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order. After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.

Once you receive that disc, then do the following. Snow Leopard Erase and Install:

1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears, and wait for the loading to finish.
4. After the installer loads, select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click on OK, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
6. When the installation has finished, the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.

From here you can download El Capitan from the App Store and install it. Your model does not meet the requirements for Sierra.

You stated you wanted to wipe it. Is that incorrect? Or did you mean an Erase and Install? Unfortunately, you cannot remove the connection to a previous owner's Apple ID associated with all the installed software including OS X. To do that you must completely wipe the drive. This cannot be done from a Recovery HD because doing so does not remove the Recovery HD. What you need to do is a complete wipe. What I outlined is how you must do that on all Macs that came with Snow Leopard or earlier pre-installed when new. Yours is one of those Macs. You cannot do a full Network Install on that model.

What happens when you try connecting to the App Store? Do you have an iTunes account with your Apple ID and password? You cannot use a MobileMe account. You can create an Apple ID, password, and new account via the App Store: Creating an iTunes Store, App Store, iBooks Store, and Mac App Store account without a credit card. You can use this to create an account with a credit card if you wish. If you do not, then you can only download items that are free.

If you have an account already, then use it. If there are problems with the account see:

For Problems With Your Apple ID

1. Forgot iCloud Password
2. Forgot Apple ID
3. Apple ID - Apple Support
4. Manage your Apple ID primary, rescue, alternate, and notification email addresses - Apple Support
5. About your Apple ID email addresses - Apple Support
6. Get help with Apple ID

Forgotten Security Questions

1. If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support
2. Apple ID- All about Apple ID security questions
3. Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support
4. Security questions

I don't know, but if you have a working Wi-Fi connection then it shouldn't matter. The errors you report would suggest you have no connection to the Internet. Open Network preferences to be sure your Ethernet port is turned off since you say it does not work or just remove the Ethernet cable from your computer. Wi-Fi should be the topmost entry in your port list in Network. But I have no help for the connection problem. Are you sure you are upgraded to 10.6.8?

Are you connecting to the internet from your office (you mentioned that previously)?

They may be blocking access to the App Store and iTunes via their firewall.

If your Snow Leopard DVD installs any Snow Leopard version below 10.6.6 then you cannot access the App Store. You must update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 in order to get the App Store.

Why not try reinstalling the 10.6.8 update. Be sure to use this one: Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

What you can do differently after installing Snow Leopard from the DVD is to open Software Update and let it update Snow Leopard for you.