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minjun1014 Author

Level 1

77 points

Help, restored Macintosh HD to OS X Base System

Help! I accidentally restored Macintosh HD to OS X Base System. Didn't know that would cause issues... I can only open my laptop through the Command+R thing with macOS Installer.

I was just trying to delete everything and start my Macbook fresh. I tried to re-install OS X Sierra, and it keeps failing. When I go to disk utility under internal, there's no Macintosh HD there's only OS X Base System.

Tried to ask Apple Support for help and they first told me to try first aid and that failed.

They told me to go to a service center, but I wanted to see if there are any solutions I could try.

Thanks!

It's a 2015 Macbook Pro.

Posted on Feb 11, 2017 4:55 PM

Top-ranking reply

ant_picard

Level 1

15 points

Posted on Jul 31, 2017 1:22 AM

Hi there, does anyone know of a way to do this without Internet System Recovery? I have had the exact same problem but on an old 2009 iMac so it only has the standard recovery process (CMD + R). I need to restore my old "Macintosh HD" to /dev/disk0 instead of only seeing the OS X Base System. Trawling through online forums, people have had this sort of problem when there's a HDD failure or a cable problem, but mine is a direct result of restoring the OS X Base System over the primary internal drive.

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42 replies

Sep 9, 2017 7:17 AM in response to WaffleFallafle

I would like to thank you for this post!! I was trying to reset my MacBook that I had gotten used and I completely messed it up because I have never used a MacBook in my life and I am most familiar with Windows. I thought it was unrepairable and my fiance and I spent hours trying to fix it. We were googling for hours and had almost given up until I came across this post and gave it a shot and it worked I was able to redownload the macOS and I couldn't be more thankful! So thank you!!

Sarem01

Level 1

8 points

Oct 15, 2017 3:05 PM in response to WaffleFallafle

If my laptop isn’t backed up at all will this erase my whole drive?

Nov 25, 2017 3:25 AM in response to WaffleFallafle

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! I have been at this for hours, trying to restore my BRAND NEW Mac Pro!! It’s a long story. Lol. But I was stuck until I finally found your answer! Now my only problem is the only keyboard layout option now is U.S. the extended and Canada options are gone. Hope it still works as good without the extended keyboard... anyway, just wanted to say thanks!

Dec 6, 2017 9:37 PM in response to WaffleFallafle

I tried it but when internet recovery done, white screen appear.. i hate it i cant access diskutility cause of high sierra os.

Chronology : i dont mind to upgrade but i clicked it and cant cancel it. So i let the high sierra on progress download and then my macbook pro 2012 elcapitan broken into whitescreen. Usb boot cant be access, disk utility from internet recovery too, my dvd room suddenly broken, i hate apple future..

Feb 6, 2018 6:20 AM in response to minjun1014

I tried Date changing and other solutions but nothing works. Do not try anything else but first give it a go. I’m sure this will work for pretty much everyone.

Solution is easy,

Erase the drive with using name (Macintosh HD),

Format the Drive and it should be Max OS Extended (Journaled),

Repair Os Base System image file before installing the OS on Macintosh HD.

(Do not change anything else or to anything else)

This will take around 15 minuets and later 10 more to setting up the OS.