Install macOS Sierra Window Too Big for Display

Question

Level 1

8 points

Install macOS Sierra Window Too Big for Display

I've been trying to install Sierra for a while, but every time I get to this point in the installation, the window becomes so big that I can't reach the "install" button on the bottom of the window:

I've tried clicking on the disk drive and "1", but nothing on the screen seems to respond to clicking. The "zoom" function under "Window" doesn't work, the green button for zooming is greyed out, the command-minus shortcut doesn't work...I restarted the app countless times, deleted and re-downloaded it, tried safe-booting, but nothing I've tried seems to work, and it's incredibly frustrating to have something so small hold me back from installing this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Dec 16, 2016 4:28 AM

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Answer 1

Ptaxey

Level 6

8,089 points

Dec 17, 2016 2:30 AM in response to Porokiin

Try to hold down Option and Shift keys while you grab any part (edge) of the window and drag, this should resize the window in any direction.

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Answer 2

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 16, 2016 10:12 PM in response to Ptaxey

I'm sorry, this doesn't seem to work, either. =( Thank you, though.

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Answer 3

Dec 17, 2016 2:30 AM in response to Porokiin

This may not help at all, but have you tried pressing the Return/Enter key to see if that will cause it to go to the next page?

Also, have you tried pressing Command+the minus sign to decrease the size of the displayed screen?

Finally, have you tried restarting your Mac and then trying again?

Cheers,

GB

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Answer 4

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 16, 2016 10:23 PM in response to gail from maine

Unfortunately, I've tried all 3 of these things already. Using the return/enter key or trying the Command-minus both result in the small error beep noise, and nothing happens. I've also tried restarting, and even went as far as deleting it and redownloading it, but that hasn't worked, either. Thank you, though!

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Answer 5

Dec 16, 2016 10:29 PM in response to Porokiin

And you have tried clicking on the Green button in the window? How about the Yellow one?

GB

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Answer 6

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 16, 2016 10:33 PM in response to gail from maine

The yellow button puts the window on my dock, and unfortunately, the green button is greyed-out and unavailable. =( Again, thank you, though.

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Answer 7

Dec 16, 2016 10:36 PM in response to Porokiin

Are you certain your Mac can run Sierra? Here are the system requirements. If your Mac model is not listed in the Hardware requirements, then it cannot run Sierra:

MacOS Sierra - Technical Specifications

Cheers,

GB

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Answer 8

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Dec 17, 2016 12:55 AM in response to Porokiin

The installation screens cannot be resized and the green button is not selectable as you can see,and the return /enter keys do not function with these screens.

Only thing I can suggest is to change the resolution of your screen so that it fits. System Preferences >Displays>Display

click on Scaled and try the different resolutions until you see one that allows you view the bottom of the install page.might work not sure.

Did you download Sierra through the App Store

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Answer 9

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2016 1:06 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this works, either. The default resolution is 1280x800, while the other two options are 1152x720 and 1024x640, both of which just cover up even more of the installation window. Thank you for your suggestion anyway!

And to answer your question, yes, I did download Sierra through the App Store. I've actually tried deleting it and downloading it again through the App Store, though this error has stuck around.

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Answer 10

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2016 1:10 AM in response to gail from maine

Took a look, and it looks like my Mac (mid 2010 model), meets all the requirements for Sierra.

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Answer 11

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Dec 17, 2016 1:25 AM in response to Porokiin

Ok one more thing you could try is, if you go back to the display System Preferences as before but this time press the option/alt key down whilst clicking on the Scaled button, this should offer more resolutions, they may however be more lower resolutions which will not help, but perhaps it may just offer you a higher resolution.

In normal operations do you have the Display Resolution as Default for Display.

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Answer 12

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2016 1:33 AM in response to Eau Rouge

No luck there unfortunately, it only showed a few more lower resolutions. =( I appreciate your help, though.

And I'm not sure what you mean by "normal operations", but under "Display", I usually keep the resolution set to "Best for Display", which usually keeps it at the 1280x800 resolution.

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Answer 13

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Dec 17, 2016 2:02 AM in response to Porokiin

Normal operations was just meant to mean everyday running of your mac.

One other thing I had a notion about was that maybe you inadvertently applied Zoom to your screen.

Have a look at your System Preferences> Accessibility>Zoom and try the keyboard shortcut to zoom out

option-command- minus, if this works and you can now see the whole install page on screen then uncheck the

Use Keyboard Shortcuts To Zoom.

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Answer 14

Haydude

Level 1

9 points

Dec 17, 2016 2:15 AM in response to Porokiin

Do you have or have access to a larger Cinema Display? You can set up dual monitors with the needed resolution, drag the sierra install icon to the larger display and open it there. Resize the window, drag it back on your MBP, unplug the second display and do the upgrade.

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Answer 15

Porokiin Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2016 2:18 AM in response to Eau Rouge

I thought this would have made sense, but it looks like that wasn't the case, either. It looks like I'm just gonna have to find a way to connect my laptop to a larger display, I think. Thank you for all your help!

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