APFS stupidity

[magicbike68]

Hi everyone. I’m really new to Macs so please forgive my naivety. I recently bought a 2017 MacBook Air i5 (as I was getting fed up with windows), which came running High Sierra. I wanted it to run Monterey so I downloaded the update but got the message that the drive wasn’t formatted APFS. So…I watched a YouTube video on how to do it (big mistake) and now when I switch on I get a file image with a question mark which flashes. So I guess I need to mount the drive but just can’t figure out how. Again forgive my stupidity

 

[HDFan]

I get a file image with a question mark which flashes.

That means that the system is unable to boot as it can't find the OS on the disk drive. Your can install the OS by booting into various Recovery modes by holding down the Command-R, Option-Command-R, or Option-Shift-Command-R when powering on.

 

[DeltaMac]

Or - even better - download the Monterey installer, and use that to create a bootable installer on an external USB drive. Finally, boot to that installer and choose your internal drive as the destination. The installer will change your system drive to APFS, if it is not already, during the install process.

 

[magicbike68]

Or - even better - download the Monterey installer, and use that to create a bootable installer on an external USB drive. Finally, boot to that installer and choose your internal drive as the destination. The installer will change your system drive to APFS, if it is not already, during the install process.

How do I download the installer to a USB without something to download to?

 

[magicbike68]

That means that the system is unable to boot as it can't find the OS on the disk drive. Your can install the OS by booting into various Recovery modes by holding down the Command-R, Option-Command-R, or Option-Shift-Command-R when powering on.

Ok. I can get into Utilities but when I highlight the drive I need, where & how do I mount it? Under the tab there’s only un-mount

 

[exoticSpice]

I would go into an Apple Store and let them do it for you. It would save you thr hassle.

 

[G5isAlive]

Ok. I can get into Utilities but when I highlight the drive I need, where & how do I mount it? Under the tab there’s only un-mount

You don’t want to mount the drive, you want to install the os … which should be an option as well before you get to utilities.

The problem now is you are trying to use and approach the problem as if it was windows. They do things differently. Not meaning to be harsh.

Hence why one person recommended you bring it in to the Genius Bar. Small steps first.

 

[HDFan]

Ok. I can get into Utilities but when I highlight the drive I need, where & how do I mount it? Under the tab there’s only un-mount

You're looking for the option "Reinstall MacOS" not mount. You don't want to bring up Utilities unless you want to wipe the drive. Don't have access to an Intel Machine now to demonstrate.