Command-Option-R Not Working Right

Question

mandie1978 Author

Level 1

6 points

Command-Option-R Not Working Right

I own a 2010 MacBook that I wanted to do a clean install of macOS High Sierra though Internet Recovery Mode.

Every time I try to boot in to internet Recovery mode it takes me right to the lion version.

I have had it though a few years and so it has been upgrade to every new macOS/ OS X that has come out so far.

And I know that it worked before because that is how I installed a clean install of macOS High Sierra though Internet Recovery Mode.

I have tried countless hours and days trying to figure this out even called apple about it and they tried there best but it did not help. I am hoping people from the internet can help me : )

About macOS Recovery - Apple Support

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support User uploaded file

MacBook, macOS High Sierra (10.13.5), macOS High Sierra Internet Recovery

Posted on Jun 21, 2018 7:33 PM

Reply

Answer 1

mandie1978 Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 31, 2018 4:30 PM in response to keg55

"Then it appears you have two options if you ever want to reinstall High Sierra.

1. Create and keep a USB thumb drive installer with 10.13.6 which is the last update to High Sierra.

2. Boot to Recovery Mode (Command+R) and install High Sierra from the Recovery HD." - keg55

The issue is that I am installing a Solid Sate Drive (SSD) in the MacBook

And I have booted to macOS High Sierra Internet recovery before that is how I installed macOS High Sierra on this Hard Drive.

But as it seam that I am not getting anywhere with this MacBook I am going to do the First option

"1. Create and keep a USB thumb drive installer with 10.13.6 which is the latest update to macOS High Sierra"

And I am going to keep this support page unsolved to see if anyone has any question's or comments to help.

Thank you so much for you time kegg55

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Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jun 21, 2018 8:41 PM in response to mandie1978

Also I have used all sorts of other macs and it boots in to a newer version of internet recovery mode

Then you were using Recovery mode instead of Internet Recovery mode. There is a difference, read about it.

It's literally the difference between Command-R and Command-Option-R.

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Answer 3

mandie1978 Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 29, 2018 8:13 PM in response to mandie1978

"Are you able to use a USB thumb drive with the High Sierra (10.13.6) installer on it? If so, have you installed this then afterwards try Command+Option+R again? The install should update the firmware again, I think." - keg55

Sadly that didn't work either. : (

(1) I first installed macOS High Sierra (10.13.6) onto an external hard drive's first with a partition as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). And tried Command+Option+R again. Does not boot in to the macOS High Sierra Internet Recovery.

(2) Second I created a bootable flash drive installer using Terminal and Apple's form.

Apple Form, "How to create a bootable installer for macOS" : How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

"sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app"

And then installed macOS High Sierra (10.13.6) on the internal hard drive partitioned as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). And tried Command+Option+R again. Does not boot in to the macOS High Sierra Internet Recovery.

(3) Third I then installed macOS High Sierra (10.13.6) on the external hard drive partitioned as (APFS).

And tried Command+Option+R again. Does not boot in to the macOS High Sierra Internet Recovery.

(4) And finally I installed macOS High Sierra (10.13.6) on the internal hard drive partitioned as (APFS)

And it still does not boot in to the macOS High Sierra Internet Recovery.

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Answer 4

keg55

Level 6

11,755 points

Jul 30, 2018 5:06 AM in response to mandie1978

Your video clearly shows the MacBook going into Internet Recovery (spinning globe). But why it goes to a Utilities Menu with Lion to install is beyond me.

What happens when you press and hold SHIFT+Option+Command+R? If you get the same result, then maybe your MacBook did not receive a firmware upgrade (see this Link) and both of the Internet Recovery key commands always gives you what your Mac shipped with which appears to be Lion in your case. Check your ROM version in System Information under Hardware. If it's this - Boot ROM or SMC Version Information: MB71.0039.B0E then all you get is Lion.

Your 4 explanations show you can install High Sierra on your MacBook.

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Answer 5

mandie1978 Author

Level 1

6 points

Jun 21, 2018 7:57 PM in response to Lanny

That is not totally right .

Option-Command-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.^**

Also I have used all sorts of other macs and it boots in to a newer version of internet recovery mode

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Answer 6

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jun 21, 2018 8:25 PM in response to mandie1978

Read this: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/02/25/how-to-start-up-your-mac-in-internet-rec overy-mode/

By contrast, Internet Recovery Mode permits you to reinstall the macOS version that was factory-preloaded on your Mac at the time of purchase. You should use Internet Recovery if your Mac’s internal disk is damaged or you’ve replaced it with a faster, more capacious model and you’ve forgotten to create a bootable version of El Capitan on USB media.

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Answer 7

keg55

Level 6

11,755 points

Jul 24, 2018 9:43 AM in response to mandie1978

It's almost as if your Macbook somehow reverted back to a prior firmware that no longer lets you use Command+Option+R to get the version of OS (in your case High Sierra) that will run on your Mac. You're right Shift+Command+Option+R should only get you the OS that shipped with your Mac if Sierra 10.12.4 or above was installed.

Are you able to use a USB thumb drive with the High Sierra (10.13.6) installer on it? If so, have you installed this then afterwards try Command+Option+R again? The install should update the firmware again, I think.

Reply

Answer 8

mandie1978 Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 31, 2018 3:12 PM in response to keg55

"Boot ROM or SMC Version Information: MB71.0039.B0E" - keg55

My MacBook Boot ROM Version is MB71.003F.B00 (as shown up above in the picture)

and I have already tried to update both of my SMC and Boot ROM and had to run a older versions of OS X To do so! and doing that being told that the SMC and Boot ROM is Up to date.

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Answer 9

keg55

Level 6

11,755 points

Jul 31, 2018 3:43 PM in response to mandie1978

Then it appears you have two options if you ever want to reinstall High Sierra.

1. Create and keep a USB thumb drive installer with 10.13.6 which is the last update to High Sierra.

2. Boot to Recovery Mode (Command+R) and install High Sierra from the Recovery HD.

Reply

Answer 10

mandie1978 Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 2, 2018 2:51 PM in response to mandie1978