Bought an used M1 laptop, received it yesterday but have huge issues reinstalling OS. I had to goto startup options and then reinstall via downloading the internet, but since leaving it last night no progress has been made. I'm not sure what the previous owner has done and maybe be something to do with the partition?. The HDD is there but for some reason when I load up startup options I only see the gear icon and no HDD?.
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Huge problem reinstalling Monterey on M1
- Thread starter RGT85
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Two thoughts:
When you bought it did it boot up? If so and you were concerned that there might be previous owner junk all you needed to do would be to "Erase Content and Settings". This deletes absolutely everything that is not on the signed sealed verified-on-every-boot, System Volume. You probably can't do this now, but do it if you can. There is no need or point in deleting and reinstalling the System Volume. It is verified every build, before a snapshot is made from which the machine boots, and if corrupt the machine won't start.
What do you see now if you select the gear option from Startup options? That launches Recovery which has the reinstall options, also Disk Utility. Presumably this is what you did yesterday to initiate the reinstall.
When I first booted it up it went to the choose language section and then a screen to install OS?. However, there was no wifi icon on the top bar. So I googled and was told to power off and then hold power on to get start up options. There ws disk utility, reinstall os, time capsule thingy and using safari for help.
So I choose reinstall os but nothing happens, tried on a different wifi and still always start and states 2hrs 57 minutes but like I said I left it over night and still the same thing.
SO I then decided to check disk utility and the HDD is there but not sure what to do?
Hi!
Run diagnostics first.
Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support
Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.
It will help to determine if there's any issue with your Mac.
Then, follow the instructions to reinstall the macOS:
Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon
Learn how to use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon.
support.apple.com
If you can't complete the above steps, you may need to borrow a second Mac (with USB-C Port) and
use the Apple Configurator to reinstall macOS.
The instructions below refers to restore the firmware, but inside the Apple Configurator app you can restore
macOS as well:
That is very odd, and makes no sense. After the "Welcome" and Choosing language, you should have seen Choose Country etc, which is all the start of Setup Assistant, leading to creating user and Data Volume.
Nevertheless Reinstalling from Recovery should work but seems to have stalled....I can only wonder if you have a flaky Wi-Fi?
The other way forward would be to create a bootable installer on another mac and boot from that on this machine. You can create a bootable installer on an Intel machine and it will boot M1. There are lots of sites and YouTube vids about doing this. Personally I find it best done with the free MDS app, which will download the installer file as well as creating the installer.
If these don't work I would advise taking in to an Apple Store. There is only so much that can be done remotely on a forum thread without the machine in front of you...it seems your machine has been sold to you in a strange state. It should have been completely straightforward on first boot.
Thanks checked diagnostics and found nothing wrong, feel like the previous owner has messed with the partition?Hi!
Run diagnostics first.
Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support
Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.support.apple.com
It will help to determine if there's any issue with your Mac.
Then, follow the instructions to reinstall the macOS:
Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon
Learn how to use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon.support.apple.com
If you can't complete the above steps, you may need to borrow a second Mac (with USB-C Port) and
use the Apple Configurator to reinstall macOS.
The instructions below refers to restore the firmware, but inside the Apple Configurator app you can restore
macOS as well:
Here is what I see when I load into startup options
Partitions
Wiping the HD still and I have the same issue, starts and gets stuck at 2 hours 57mins
Please ignore the dirt on the screen, I would clean it but since I'm not sure if I have something faulty and have to return.
If you do have another Mac available, just skip to doing the DFU restore with Configurator. It's by far the fastest way to get the OS installed on the computer and should resolve any other problems you might be having.
I don't have access or know anyone who has?. Apple store is far away, so not sure if sending it to Apple if they can help me?. Surely it shoudn't be this difficult to reinstall an OS. I do come from a Windows background and while its janky reinstalling OS seemed much easier.
There's now way to do any damage deleting partitions or erasing the disk.
I found that some other folks had the same issue:
MacOs Monterey stuck at 2 hours and 57 mi… - Apple Community
What worked for some is to erase the disk again and try reinstalling one more time.
Also put you Mac the closest possible to your WiFi router.
Thanks I have put the laptop next to the router, just start and same mesageThere's now way to do any damage deleting partitions or erasing the disk.
I found that some other folks had the same issue:
MacOs Monterey stuck at 2 hours and 57 mi… - Apple Community
discussions.apple.com
What worked for some is to erase the disk again and try reinstalling one more time.
Also put you Mac the closest possible to your WiFi router.
installer log says it downloading but then notied a few messages failed to bridge device?
Erase the disk one more time (Inside Disk Utility, click APPLE SSD AP0256Q Media, then Erase with default options).
Try to install again and give it time. If it's not progressing after 5 hours and since you don't have other Mac to use Configurator, you won't be able to solve the issue by yourself.
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Do you still have the option of returning this one for a refund?
If so, I'd suggest that as your best course of action.
It looks like this one just ain't gonna "go".
And my advice for buying the next one:
DO NOT buy "used".
Either buy a new one from Apple or perhaps an Apple-refurbished from the online store.
If so, I'd suggest that as your best course of action.
It looks like this one just ain't gonna "go".
And my advice for buying the next one:
DO NOT buy "used".
Either buy a new one from Apple or perhaps an Apple-refurbished from the online store.
Your experience is not normal. It doesn't sound like it was supplied to you in factory condition which it should have been, and would have been straightforward to use Setup Assistant.
Is it an option for you to return to seller? perhaps seller has other macs and can use Configurator or make a bootable installer ... but it sounds as if they they don't really know what they are doing.
My own experience is that reinstalling on Macs is easier than Windows though M1 Silicon has made it a bit less straightforward.
PS I buy nearly all my macs used and never had a problem.
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Apple would probably help but it's unlikely something that can be resolved remotely. You might look for an Apple authorized service provider near you, which is likely to be able to help.
I know I can send it to Apple, would that be possibe and not be charged as it be cheaper than going to an Apple Store which is far away
You mentioned you wiped the HD, but not sure how you did this. I would try booting into recovery mode, then, in disk utility select the option to show all devices. Then, select the drive (Apple SSD AP0256Q Media) and erase it. This will erase all the volumes and containers and then recreate them.
Then, try reinstalling macOS. If that doesn't work, I would return for a refund.
Then, try reinstalling macOS. If that doesn't work, I would return for a refund.
You'd have to ask Apple about that. This is a problem I handle internally so I don't know if they'd charge or not.
I'm confused about this part. M1/Apple silicon Macs don't have the Internet Recovery feature as seen on Intel-based Macs. Are you sure you have an M1 Mac, or am I just misunderstanding something?
Basically same as this but with Montery
You are right that Silicon macs do not have Internet Recovery. But even booted to regular Recovery they download the installer.
Internet Recovery on Intel macs means they can boot to Recovery even when there is no Recovery partition. Silicon Macs can't do that. Different issue.
