not enough space to install high sierra

Question

Level 1

8 points

not enough space to install high sierra

Please help. I have Yosemite on my iMac and clicked upgrade to High Sierra.

I get an error saying install file is missing or corrupted. I can’t boot up at all.

I managed to copy High Sierra Installer to a USB stick but when I press the option key on start up and select the USB stick to boot from I get the message 16Gb required but only 10Gb available.

What are my options? Can I delete music files using Terminal until I have enough space? I’ve looked for music files in Terminal but can’t find any, in fact I can’t find any user files.

Unfortunately I do NOT have a Time Machine backup to restore to.

Can I select Install macOS from the macOS Utilities message that iPod up? This is the second option down. Will this get my iMac working WITHOUT losing data?

Any advice/help will be gratefully received.

UPDATE:

I’ve clicked First Aid on the hard drive and have 33Gb free now but the HDD is showing as locked. How can I proceed?

Posted on Jan 6, 2018 2:55 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jan 6, 2018 3:14 PM in response to red1028

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch

If possible backup your files.

Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the CommandandRkeys until the Apple logo appears. When the Utility Menu appears:
Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on Continue button.
When Disk Utility loads select the volume (indented entry, usually Macintosh HD) from the Device list.
Click on the Erase icon in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.