macOS High Sierra won’t install

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Level 1

21 points

macOS High Sierra won’t install

I’m trying to upgrade to macOS High Sierra from Yosemite since 10.10 is getting old now and wasn’t the best OS to start, but I can’t seem to get beyond the “Install macOS High Sierra” installation manager. When I first downloaded it, it worked fine until it got to “macOS High Sierra will be installed to the drive “Untitled”” and there was a loading bar. It froze a little before halfway and wouldn’t go any further. I tried quitting the installation manager and restarting the install, but now I can’t even get past the opening screen that says “To set up the installation of macOS High Sierra, click Continue.” When I click it, now the button just greys out and nothing happens. After a few minutes, an error pops up that says “The recovery server could not be contacted.” Pressing OK quits the installer. I tried restarting, but nothing happened.

Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.5

MacBook (13”, Mid-2010)

Memory 3GB (upgraded from 2GB) 1067 MHz DDR3

Posted on Jan 31, 2018 3:36 PM

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Answer 1

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Feb 1, 2018 4:57 PM in response to TheMacDude2

Hello TheMacDude2,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I understand from your post that you have not been able to successfully update your Mac to macOS High Sierra. I recommend installing the update while in safe mode. The following article has the steps necessary to restart your Mac into safe mode:

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

Let us know how it goes.

Best Regards.

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Answer 2

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Feb 1, 2018 4:57 PM in response to TheMacDude2

Hello TheMacDude2,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I understand from your post that you have not been able to successfully update your Mac to macOS High Sierra. I recommend installing the update while in safe mode. The following article has the steps necessary to restart your Mac into safe mode:

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

Let us know how it goes.

Best Regards.

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Answer 3

TheMacDude2 Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 3, 2018 3:05 PM in response to TheMacDude2

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Answer 4

TheMacDude2 Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 3, 2018 3:03 PM in response to chris_g1

I deleted and reinstalled the installer, and managed to get beyond the first screen without an error. But now it’s on that one screen which it got stuck at again, and either it’s going painfully slow or it’s stuck again. That bar seems to be taking forever to move. Should it be taking this long?

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Answer 5

TheMacDude2 Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 3, 2018 4:17 PM in response to CountryGirl56

It was that way when I got the computer. I got it from a friend whom I think got it from somewhere that reconditioned computers and resold them. It hasn’t seemed to cause problems up until now; I only just noticed it now when I’m trying to install High Sierra over the current install of Yosemite.

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Answer 6

TheMacDude2 Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 4, 2018 11:42 AM in response to CountryGirl56

I booted in Safe Mode and ran Disk Utility. It found a bunch of permissions that were wrong, so I fixed them. I renamed the hard drive to the correct name, “Macintosh HD”. I tried to run the High Sierra installer, but it gave the “The recovery server could not be contacted.” error again, so I had to reinstall. Unfortunately, even after reinstalling again, it still hanged at the error.

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Answer 7

Feb 3, 2018 4:23 PM in response to TheMacDude2

Try installing High Sierra in Safe Mode.

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

It is old enough the drive could be going bad.

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Answer 8

Feb 3, 2018 3:09 PM in response to TheMacDude2

Why is the drive labeled "Untitled"? Did you format the drive and if so, which settings did you use?

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macOS High Sierra won’t install

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