Cant install even on erased disk!!

[chrfr]

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.

The 16" MacBook Pro cannot run Mojave.

 

[emteeare]

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

Have tried the combo update, and it unfortunately yields the same error OP had posted previously. Here's the error from the log of another attempt of the combo update install I just performed:

Operations failed with error: Error Domain=BOSErrorDomain Code=205 "An error occurred during prepare." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=An error occurred during prepare., UpdateBundleIdentifier=com.apple.bridgeOSCustomer, NSUnderlyingError=0x7fdb922bbff0 {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);}}}

 

[emteeare]

The 16" MacBook Pro cannot run Mojave.

This was my impression... I'm unfortunately running out of new solutions to attempt, and needed a confirmation.

 

[twisted-pixel]

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.

Yup, same error when trying to install this update. It downloads, but then gives me the same error as the Catalina install.

 

[Taz Mangus]

Have tried the combo update, and it unfortunately yields the same error OP had posted previously. Here's the error from the log of another attempt of the combo update install I just performed:

Try doing a SMC reset:https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295. Someone else had an issue related to updating the firmware and a SMC seemed to work for them.

 

[twisted-pixel]

Try doing a SMC reset:https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295. Someone else had an issue related to updating the firmware and a SMC seemed to work for them.

have already tried this too. I have tried virtually every possible option, and still get the same thing. If the stores were open I would drop it into Apple and say "good luck with this"...and see what they come up with.

 

[Taz Mangus]

have already tried this too. I have tried virtually every possible option, and still get the same thing. If the stores were open I would drop it into Apple and say "good luck with this"...and see what they come up with.

Do you have extra external hard drive? If so, install 10.15.4 to it and boot from it if it installs. Then try installing to your local hard drive.

 

[twisted-pixel]

Do you have extra external hard drive? If so, install 10.15.4 to it and boot from it if it installs. Then try installing to your local hard drive.

already tried that too....exact same error message.

I've been scouring the internet and the only thing I found of any interest talks about the type of internet connection (security wise). I've tried via my wifi, local wifi, direct ethernet connection, iphone hotspot. All with the same negative result. The only thing these have in common are that they all go through Xfinity. I can't imagine why that would matter, but the error log does contain several lines like this

Warning: couldn't obtain xar-verified URL for http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...gt4ugp7hjp4/OSX_10_15_IncompatibleAppList.pkg

 

[oatman13]

Have tried the combo update, and it unfortunately yields the same error OP had posted previously. Here's the error from the log of another attempt of the combo update install I just performed:

Take it to an Apple Store, this is an issue with the T2 chip; you aren't going to be able to fix this on your own.

 

[jdogg836]

already tried that too....exact same error message.

View attachment 903425

I've been scouring the internet and the only thing I found of any interest talks about the type of internet connection (security wise). I've tried via my wifi, local wifi, direct ethernet connection, iphone hotspot. All with the same negative result. The only thing these have in common are that they all go through Xfinity. I can't imagine why that would matter, but the error log does contain several lines like this

Warning: couldn't obtain xar-verified URL for http://swcdn.apple.com/content/down...gt4ugp7hjp4/OSX_10_15_IncompatibleAppList.pkg

I agree that this sounds like a T2 chip problem, got another recent USB-C Mac to give this a try?

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator 2

In rare circumstances, Apple computers may become unresponsive and the chip’s firmware must be revived.

support.apple.com

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

A final suggestion:
Do you have an EXTERNAL drive around?
If so, can you install the OS onto the EXTERNAL drive? (ignoring your internal for now)

 

[twisted-pixel]

I agree that this sounds like a T2 chip problem, got another recent USB-C Mac to give this a try?

Revive or restore an Intel-based Mac using Apple Configurator 2

In rare circumstances, Apple computers may become unresponsive and the chip’s firmware must be revived.

support.apple.com

sadly, I don't have another macbook just lying around!!

 

[chrfr]

sadly, I don't have another macbook just lying around!!

It doesn't need to be a MacBook. Any Mac which can run Configurator can do it.

 

[twisted-pixel]

no...no other mac around....and social distancing etc

 

[oatman13]

no...no other mac around....and social distancing etc

The Apple Configurator path should resolve the problem actually, so if you can get ahold of another Mac or a friend with one then that will solve your problem.

If not, you're going to have to wait for the Apple Store's to open back up. Do *NOT* take it to an Apple Authorized Service center...

 

[emteeare]

As an update on my end, I was fortunate enough to have another Mac available to go down the Apple Configurator path. My issues were resolved, and I was able to successfully update. Thanks to all that provided advice, and good luck to OP in resolving their issues.