2014 Macbook Pro A1502 OS recovery

[xCastlex]

Hello,

We have an A1502 EMC2875, I had an issue with the laptop resetting after being online for a limited amount of time sometime back. I downloaded the data that was needed off of the unit and then attempted to perform a fresh install. I am quite sure what I did wasn't the correct procedure and ran into an issue of the flashing file with a question mark in it. I was frustrated with the results and my wife needed a laptop so we ended up purchasing a new one in 2021. Its sat in the drawer since then but my son is getting ready to start school and before I go and purchase a MacBook Air, I wanted to see what I could do to salvage this Pro. It will need a new battery, given the age, and I am not sure if replacing the SSD will be needed but I am confident in being able replace both myself. After searching online, I decided to see if I could perform a recovery, the issue is that the only option I have is internet recovery. I have gone through the process multiple times, a progress bar comes out, runs for about 30 minutes and then goes back to the file with a question mark. I just ran it again and it seems to not be progressing past the "starting internet recovery, this may take awhile" screen. I am looking for assistance and general feedback if the effort is even worth the result. My apologies if this has been discussed previously, I searched but didn't find anything that was quite the same.

 

[Rich B22]

I have always found that Internet Recovery is a sketchy thing-sometimes works, sometimes not, so I'd suggest you download the macOS, make a bootable USB Installer and run it on your old computer to install. Of course this is all assuming you don't have any mechanical problems with the old MacBook Pro!
The latest macOS you can use is Big Sur, so from your operating laptop, you download that from the app store; see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683 . When it completes the download, don't let it install; quit the process. Then make a bootable USB installer which does require you to use Terminal, but it's not difficult; just make sure you copy the correct verbiage for Big Sur see https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372 .
Once that's done, plug the USB into the old computer and reboot, holding down the Option/Alt key. When the boot options come up, choose the "Install macOS" drive (which should be the only one) and you should be good to go. Just follow the prompts. I would definitely erase the old drive from Disk Utility on that install volume to clean up any kruft left over from previous attempts.
As far as whether this is all worth it, only you can answer that. I'd make sure everything is working before investing in a new battery &/or SSD.

Good luck

 

[Fishrrman]

Try internet recovery first.

Command-OPTION-R
at boot.

You'll need your wifi password.
The internet utilities take a while to load, be patient.

When the utilities screen appears, click disk utility.
VERY IMPORTANT: go to the "view" menu and choose "show all devices".

Now look at the "list on the left".
The topmost item should be the physical drive inside.
We want to erase it and start over.

Click on it ONE time to select it.
Then click "erase".
Choose "APFS, GUID partition format".

When the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
Start "clicking through".
The Mac will restart one or more times, and the screen will go dark for a minute or more with no other indication of activity. Be patient.

When done, you will see the initial startup screen "choose your language".
OK, it's time to start clicking through and set things up with a new account for the son.

Good luck.

 

[xCastlex]

Try internet recovery first.

Command-OPTION-R
at boot.

You'll need your wifi password.
The internet utilities take a while to load, be patient.

When the utilities screen appears, click disk utility.
VERY IMPORTANT: go to the "view" menu and choose "show all devices".

Now look at the "list on the left".
The topmost item should be the physical drive inside.
We want to erase it and start over.

Click on it ONE time to select it.
Then click "erase".
Choose "APFS, GUID partition format".

When the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
Start "clicking through".
The Mac will restart one or more times, and the screen will go dark for a minute or more with no other indication of activity. Be patient.

When done, you will see the initial startup screen "choose your language".
OK, it's time to start clicking through and set things up with a new account for the son.

Good luck.

Thanks for the recommendation, unfortunately it seems like I can't get this option to function. On startup using the command-option-R, it takes me to the Wi-Fi password correct, once entered it goes to a symbol of earth with a progress bar beneath it. The progress bar moves maybe 1/2 way or just past over 45 minutes or so and then goes back to the screen with the folder with the question mark. I have tried allowing it to sit in that capacity for hours with no changes, I have also tried the process again and the results are the same each time.