Cant install even on erased disk!!

[twisted-pixel]

2018 MBP

Some time last year, I installed the catalina beta on a separate partition so that I could try it out. Several of my apps stopped working (32 bit) and so I uninstalled.

A couple of times since, I have tried to install but I keep getting the same error message that it failed to install so I gave up.

Yesterday (boredom as a result of the lockdown) I decided it had been out in the world long enough and I should install.

1st attempt - error message
Tried all suggested methods of clearing old downloads, setting the clock etc etc - error message
Tried from recovery mode - error message

Finally, I gave up, entered recovery mode, erased the current disk to start from blank - error message

So I can't even install it on a totally blank machine.

anything else I could try (seriously, after not being able to install on an erased disk I'm pretty sure nothing is going to work at this point)

 

[chrfr]

A couple of times since, I have tried to install but I keep getting the same error message that it failed to install so I gave up.

What is the exact error you're getting?
Even if trying to install using a bootable USB drive, you must have an active internet connection when trying to install the operating system on a Mac equipped with the T2 chip, as your 2018 MBP has.
Have you tried installing using internet recovery?

 

[Fishrrman]

Before going further, can you do this:
Boot to INTERNET recovery (NOT to "the recovery partition")
?????

Power down, all the way off (hold the power button in for 5 seconds).
Press the power on button
Immediately hold down
Command-OPTION-R
You may need your wifi password.
You should see "the spinning globe".
Be patient, takes a while to load.
Can you get to the "utilities" menu this way?

Try this, provide your answer, and we'll go further.

 

[twisted-pixel]

HI, thanks for your help

I only ever get the same message, that an error occurred and I can try again

I can get to the utilities menu using the method you mention and I’ve also tried to install that way using the “install latest Mac OS” option

At the end of that process I get the same error message

An error occurred installing macOS
You can try again to complete the installation

 

[Fishrrman]

Do you have any kind of backup?

IF you can boot to INTERNET recovery (as I described above), the next step would be:
1. Open disk utility
2. Go to the "view" menu and choose "show ALL devices".
3. Now, select the topmost line on the left (the physical drive)
4. Click the ERASE button - choose APFS with GUID partition format.
5. Now, erase the drive.

REMEMBER -- this WIPES OUT all data on the drive.

IF you can get that far, now close disk utility and open the OS installer.
See if you can install a copy of the OS now.

 

[twisted-pixel]

Hmmm. I just tried again (internet recovery - erase disk - install MAc OS) and the exact same error. One thing I’ve noted though is that it says installing Mac Catalina Beta (19B77a). I wonder if that is why it’s failing. I’ve turned off beta but it still says that when trying to install

 

[chrfr]

Hmmm. I just tried again (internet recovery - erase disk - install MAc OS) and the exact same error. One thing I’ve noted though is that it says installing Mac Catalina Beta (19B77a). I wonder if that is why it’s failing. I’ve turned off beta but it still says that when trying to install

That doesn't sound like you're starting from internet recovery.

 

[twisted-pixel]

It is definitely internet recovery.

 

[Fishrrman]

Are you in "the public beta testing program"?
If so, you might try signing OUT of that, so you don't GET a beta, but rather the last "public release".
Just a thought...

 

[chrfr]

It is definitely internet recovery.

Then try command-option-shift-R. This will try to install the oldest operating system that's compatible with your computer.

 

[twisted-pixel]

so my plan, later on when I've finished work
1) Internet Recovery
2) erase disk
3) install High Sierra via command-option-shift-R
4 ) upgrade to Catalina

I have a back-up so I can always restore to that if necessary (and have done a couple of times this week already)

I'll report back if that works

 

[twisted-pixel]

So..

Internet recovery - success
Erase drive - success
Install oldest compatible OS (high Sierra via shift-option-cmd +r) - success
Go to AppStore and download Catalina - success
Attempt to install - nope, same as before

 

[KoolAid-Drink]

Try opening the installer again on High Sierra, then press COMMAND and L at the same time. It should tell you what error is happening when the error message pops up, let us know what the last line of error is.

 

[twisted-pixel]

Ok, went through the whole process again. Same error
last few lines of log are

Apr 2 14:44:34 Alistairs-MacBook-Pro osinstallersetupd[1314]: bridgeOS update prepare complete
Apr 2 14:44:34 Alistairs-MacBook-Pro osinstallersetupd[1314]: bridgeOS update prepare failed: Error Domain=BOSErrorDomain Code=205 "An error occurred during prepare." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=An error occurred during prepare., UpdateBundleIdentifier=com.apple.bridgeOSCustomer, NSUnderlyingError=0x7fdf48362c60 {Error Domain=BridgeOSSoftwareUpdateError Code=19 "MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update);MSU - 30 (Query for AP nonce failed);" UserInfo={SystemPartitionSize=1979666432, MSUErrorCode=1041, MSUErrorDescription=failed to perform limited firmware update, NSLocalizedDescription=MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update);MSU - 30 (Query for AP nonce failed);}}}
Apr 2 14:44:34 Alistairs-MacBook-Pro osinstallersetupd[1314]: Operation queue failed with error: Error Domain=com.apple.OSInstallerSetup.error Code=602 "An error occurred installing macOS." UserInfo={NSLocalizedRecoverySuggestion=You can try again to complete the installation., NSLocalizedDescription=An error occurred installing macOS., NSUnderlyingError=0x7fdf4ddf47f0 {Error Domain=BOSErrorDomain Code=205 "An error occurred during prepare." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=An error occurred during prepare., UpdateBundleIdentifier=com.apple.bridgeOSCustomer, NSUnderlyingError=0x7fdf48362c60 {Error Domain=BridgeOSSoftwareUpdateError Code=19 "MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update);MSU - 30 (Query for AP nonce failed);" UserInfo={SystemPartitionSize=1979666432, MSUErrorCode=1041, MSUErrorDescription=failed to perform limited firmware update, NSLocalizedDescription=MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update);MSU - 30 (Query for AP nonce failed);}}}}}
Apr 2 14:44:34 Alistairs-MacBook-Pro InstallAssistant[1313]: Stopped operation queue with Error Domain=com.apple.OSInstallerSetup.error Code=602 "An error occurred installing macOS." UserInfo={NSUnderlyingError=0x7fa39e7818a0 {Error Domain=BOSErrorDomain Code=205 "An error occurred during prepare." UserInfo={NSUnderlyingError=0x7fa39e7ea3b0 {Error Domain=BridgeOSSoftwareUpdateError Code=19 "MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update);MSU - 30 (Query for AP nonce failed);" UserInfo={SystemPartitionSize=1979666432, MSUErrorCode=1041, MSUErrorDescription=failed to perform limited firmware update, NSLocalizedDescription=MSU - 1041 (failed to perform limited firmware update);MSU - 30 (Query for AP nonce failed);}}, NSLocalizedDescription=An error occurred during prepare., UpdateBundleIdentifier=com.apple.bridgeOSCustomer}}, NSLocalizedRecoverySuggestion=You can try again to complete the installation., NSLocalizedDescription=An error occurred installing macOS.}

I saved the entire log and you can see it here

InstallerLog.txt

 

[DeltaMac]

Looks like the Catalina installer is choking while you are booted to High Sierra.
Use the Catalina installer app to make a bootable installer on an external drive, then boot to that Catalina installer.
That should eliminate any effect that the High Sierra system has on the Catalina install.
Here's some good steps to make a bootable installer...

Make installer bootable on flash drive:

Insert your USB flash drive (use a 16GB flash drive for this). Erase that thumb drive, using your Disk Utility. Make sure it is formatted Mac OS Extended (journaled), and the partition Map is "GUID"
The Catalina installer app (Install macOS Catalina) should be in your Applications folder.
Right click on that installer app, and choose "Show Package Contents". Open the Library, then open the "Resources" folder. Leave that alone for a moment...
Launch your Terminal app, then type sudo, and add a single space.
From the Resources folder that you left open, drag the file "createinstallmedia" and drop it on your terminal window. You will see the full path to that file appear next to sudo.
Next, type --volume, and add one space to that. (notice there are TWO dashes, not just one)
Now, find the icon for your flash drive (the one you just erased. Should be on your desktop somewhere). Drag that icon into the terminal window. You will see that disk, with its path, added to the line you have been typing.
AND, press enter. You will be asked to enter your admin password. Do that, you will NOT see what you type (it's a security feature, just type your password, then press enter. It will work.
Finally, the terminal will ask you to press "y" to start the command that you just typed, so type Y, and press enter.

Then, you will see some numbers appear, showing the progress of the command. Some flash drives will be slow, maybe 30 minutes. It will get to 100%, then do a few final items to complete the installer and make it bootable. And, it's ready to go!

With the Flash drive inserted in your Mac. Reboot, holding Option. Choose the flash drive installer from the screen, and press enter.
Follow the steps to install macOS.

 

[twisted-pixel]

I would like to thank you for trying but I think I’m going to give up
Followed your instructions and first I got this

So I selected my Catalina start up disk (the usb drive) and then I get this

So I select update and the get this

And I’m back to square one

 

[naerct]

I would like to thank you for trying but I think I’m going to give up
Followed your instructions and first I got this

View attachment 903168

So I selected my Catalina start up disk (the usb drive) and then I get this

View attachment 903169

So I select update and the get this

View attachment 903170

And I’m back to square one

Did you download a new copy of Catalina? Make certain you erase Catalina.app from your Application folder and delete it from the trash. The new one should be just over 8GB, so if you get a condensed one, delete it and get the full installer. I've had that problem with several recent upgrades. Evidently, Apple wants every OS application to originate from a new Full Copy of the installer. GL

 

[savink]

In case you haven't given up totally;

1. Install/Upgrade to macOS Mojave first. Mojave bought in a lot of firmware updates and presently the error from the installation log indicates a firmware error. Upgrading to Mojave first will resolve.

2. Before install, you can also do a SMC reset. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

 

[twisted-pixel]

I might try one more time at the weekend when I have more time since the restore to a working machine takes 2-3 hours

 

[Taz Mangus]

I might try one more time at the weekend when I have more time since the restore to a working machine takes 2-3 hours

Try doing a PRAM reset as well as a SMC reset before installing.

 

[twisted-pixel]

what I might try then is to wipe disk, install high Sierra, upgrade to Mojave, create catalina bootable installer, and try again.

 

[chrfr]

what I might try then is to wipe disk, install high Sierra, upgrade to Mojave, create catalina bootable installer, and try again.

High Sierra and Mojave's security updates both install the same firmware updates that the 10.15.4 installer would. I suspect, based on your log files, that installing the 2020-002 security update will also fail, but if not, then Catalina would probably install fine after installing that security update.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

The gods are trying to tell you something:
Stick with Mojave.
It's a better OS, anyway!

 

[emteeare]

I'm having the exact same issues as described by OP, but I'm on a 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019 on macOS 10.15.2 that was preinstalled with Catalina. Is downgrading to Mojave still a viable option for me?

EDIT: Making a note that unlike OP, I have never installed a beta.

 

[Taz Mangus]

I'm having the exact same issues as described by OP, but I'm on a 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019 on macOS 10.15.2 that was preinstalled with Catalina. Is downgrading to Mojave still a viable option for me?

EDIT: Making a note that unlike OP, I have never installed a beta.

Try installing the 10.15.4 combo update:https://support.apple.com/kb/DL2037?locale=en_US.