cannot get past internet recovery

[arken79]

Recently my macbook air froze, so I turned it off then back on. This had always worked for me in the past. However, this last time when
I turned my computer back on I got a flashing folder with a question mark. Using my windows computer I went to the apple support website and followed their instructions. (Turn on computer and immediately press command R). When I did this the macbook air went into internet recovery mode. The problem is that my computer wants me to chose a wifi connection and type in a password. I use ethernet, because wifi is not an option for me. I have an adapter that lets me use one of the usb ports. I have no wifi password because I don't use wifi.

Is there anyway I can use ethernet instead of wifi to complete the internet recovery, or is there a way to bypass the internet recovery?
I tried several how to websites and videos but none seemed to work for me.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can give me.
If it is needed here is the information (copied form the amazon page where I bought the computer from) about my macbook air:

Standing screen display size	‎11.6 Inches	Screen Resolution	‎1366 x 768 pixels	Max Screen Resolution	‎1366x768 Pixels	Processor	‎1.3 GHz core_i5	RAM	‎8 GB LPDDR3	Memory Speed	‎1333 MHz	Hard Drive	‎128 GB SSD	Graphics Coprocessor	‎Intel HD Graphics 5000	Chipset Brand	‎Intel	Card Description	‎Integrated	Wireless Type	‎802.11ac	Number of USB 2.0 Ports	‎2	Average Battery Life (in hours)	‎9 Hours

Other Technical Details

Brand	‎Apple	Series	‎MacBook Air	Item model number	‎MD711LL/A	Hardware Platform	‎Mac	Operating System	‎Mac OS	Item Weight	‎3.31 pounds	Product Dimensions	‎11.8 x 7.6 x 2 inches	Item Dimensions LxWxH	‎11.8 x 7.6 x 2 inches	Color	‎Silver	Rear Webcam Resolution	‎1 MP	Processor Brand	‎Intel	Processor Count	‎4	Computer Memory Type	‎DDR3 SDRAM	Flash Memory Size	‎128 GB	Hard Drive Interface	‎ATA	Power Source	‎Battery Powered
Batteries	‎1 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included)

 

[kitKAC]

You should absolutely be able to use Ethernet to get into Internet Recovery, what Ethernet adapter are you using? USB or Thunderbolt? Using a Thunderbolt adapter is much faster.

 

[arken79]

I'm using a usb adapter.

 

[MajorFubar]

It might not recognise the USB adaptor as an Ethernet port without first booting in to MacOS.
Had similar problems with an iMac using the original Bluetooth Apple Magic Keyboard when it says press R to go into recovery but they don't warn you the computer doesn't necessarily pair with the keyboard until it's already booted MacOS...
Can't you at least temporarily create a wifi connection, use a hotspot on your phone, or go to a public place with free wifi? Just to ease the stalemate.

 

[StoneJack]

do sm and pr reset

 

[arken79]

It might not recognise the USB adaptor as an Ethernet port without first booting in to MacOS.
Had similar problems with an iMac using the original Bluetooth Apple Magic Keyboard when it says press R to go into recovery but they don't warn you the computer doesn't necessarily pair with the keyboard until it's already booted MacOS...
Can't you at least temporarily create a wifi connection, use a hotspot on your phone, or go to a public place with free wifi? Just to ease the stalemate.

unfortunately I don't currently have a phone with internet capabilities, just a landline. But thank you for the info.Would it cost much to have it repaired by professionals?

It might not recognise the USB adaptor as an Ethernet port without first booting in to MacOS.
Had similar problems with an iMac using the original Bluetooth Apple Magic Keyboard when it says press R to go into recovery but they don't warn you the computer doesn't necessarily pair with the keyboard until it's already booted MacOS...
Can't you at least temporarily create a wifi connection, use a hotspot on your phone, or go to a public place with free wifi? Just to ease the stalemate.

 

[arken79]

do sm and pr reset

is a pr reset a pram reset?

 

[StoneJack]

is a pr reset a pram reset?

yes. there are two resets, do both

 

[Lasermoon]

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013
It could be your SSD/Flash drive has failed as it's 9 years old now

 

[arken79]

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013
It could be your SSD/Flash drive has failed as it's 9 years old now

Do you think getting a thunderbolt ethernet adapter andusing it to connect to the internet might solve my problem. I've never used the thunderbolt port, so i guess it should not have worn out

 

[kitKAC]

No harm in trying it.

 

[AJB1971]

Do you think getting a thunderbolt ethernet adapter andusing it to connect to the internet might solve my problem. I've never used the thunderbolt port, so i guess it should not have worn out

I think you will probably encounter the same issues in that the adapter requires software to run it -
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1544?locale=en_GB

Going back to an earlier point, I can confirm that my USB to Ethernet adapter requires drivers to work. It’s not an official Apple device but, from memory, it does use the same chipset.

Is there really no option of using someone else’s Wi-Fi? I don’t know your circumstances - you could be somewhere where Wi-Fi is prohibited, but it does seem like other options are likely to prove more expensive and time-consuming, and that’s for a device that may have a hardware problem.

Could you not buy a cheap, used, wireless router to plug into your existing network?

 

[arken79]

Thank you to everyone who has advised me so far. I have now bought a bootable installer usb drive. On the plus side I'm not stuck at the internet recovery anymore. I can get to the terminal, and dick utility, but I'm not sure what to do next. Also I'm getting a message that there is not enough free space on the usb to install the operating system. I cannot remember how much space I had on my computer, but I know it wasn't maxed out. Any tips or advice will be appreciated greatly.

 

[DeltaMac]

You can see how much space is used on your boot drive. Open Disk Utility, and select your volume.
You will see some info about the size of the drive, and how much space is used, also how much is free.
Your MBAir will likely be 128GB in size (very common). It should also be named as you expect (Macintosh HD is factory default, but yours might have a different name that you will know
If you don't see your 128GB drive, but see only a drive named something like macOS Base System, and is MUCH smaller than 128GB - then your drive is actually not visible, probably failed, and may need to be replaced.