Mac AirBook A1466 EMC3178 -The Installer Information On The Recovery Server Is Damaged- Error

[Michale32086]

OK I think I am on to something here..

Here is the suggestion from the afore mentioned link..

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

I use that and I get a 'sudo: command not found' error..

So I drop the 'sudo' and try

/Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

And I get a NO SUCH FILE OR DIRECTORY error..

So I look at the dir structure...

ROOT DIR:

There is no INSTALL command or dir in /Applications, but I DO see the 'Install macOS Sierra.app' file in the root dir..

Just can't figure out how to use it..

 

[diego.caraballo]

Can't CTRL-D at all..

I'll try changing the date and see what happens.. Stand by...

OK Date set..

View attachment 2119902

Crossing fingers..

OK.. Didn't work.. BUT.. It did something different..

"Anything different is good."
-Bill Murray, GROUNDHOG DAY

View attachment 2119910

Let me adjust the date to some of the other suggestions..

OK I used 'date 1111111119' and I get the same UNTRUSTED error..

Using 'date 1111111120'... Same error...

Year 2021... Same error..

Going the other way to year 2018.. Same error...

Well, carp...

Diagnostics:

 

[Michale32086]

Nope.. Still just get the flashing Folder w/ a '?'...

I hold 'D' right after the tones.. I hold 'D' while I push the power button..

Still just get that flashing '?' folder...

 

[diego.caraballo]

Nope.. Still just get the flashing Folder w/ a '?'...

I hold 'D' right after the tones.. I hold 'D' while I push the power button..

Still just get that flashing '?' folder...

Try SMC and PRAM reset. And try again.

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

The SMC is responsible for managing power on your Mac. Resetting it can resolve certain uncommon issues related to power or thermal management.

support.apple.com

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

If one or more settings stored in NVRAM don't work as expected on an Intel-based Mac, resetting NVRAM might help.

support.apple.com

Follow the instructions for Intel processors Mac without T2 chip

 

[Fishrrman]

Do you have a brick n mortar Apple Store anywhere near?
If so, might be time to make an appt for the genius bar, and see if they'll look at it.

 

[wordsworth]

I believe that YoitsTmac's post (19) could be the right reasoning for your original problem. When you try to launch the installer your computer must already be disconnected from the internet (after you have altered the date) otherwise it will then proceed to correct your recently amended earlier/older date, intended to fool the installer, to instead what is immediate and current. Thus you will simply have the same problem and the installer will again not work.

I went through something very similar a while back when I tried to update Snow Leopard to El Capitan. The date fix worked a charm for me. The 'inappropriate' date had been the only thing preventing a successful OS upgrade. Like YoitsTmac I am amazed that this is not more widely known.

 

[Michale32086]

Now you can quit terminal and re-open the installer and you should be able to go. One small note: you are using internet recovery, not a local installer on a USB since you're having issues. I have only performed this with local USB installers and don't connect it to wifi. As long as the installer doesn't try to pull the date from the internet when you open it, this will work. I have always done this without the internet, and can only hope it only pulls the date on first boot.

Best of luck!

I initially tried this, using your example date... As I indicated above, it didn't work.

Then I reread your post more closely and realized that the date you gave as an example was JUST an example..

I looked it up and found that SIERRA was released Sep 2016... So I changed the date to 2016, but still no luck.. I get the UNTRUSTED CERT error..

After the fail, I opened TERMINAL back up and checked the date and it was STILL set to Sep 2016..

So, still no luck..

But you said you used this trick with USB installers and it worked fine..

Do you have a link that would show me how to make a USB installer with a Winblows 10 pooter???

Thanx for the reply.. Much appreciated..

 

[Michale32086]

Do you have a brick n mortar Apple Store anywhere near?
If so, might be time to make an appt for the genius bar, and see if they'll look at it.

Yea, unfortunately, that's not really an option.. Cost and location being the 2 biggest problems..

 

[Fishrrman]

"Do you have a link that would show me how to make a USB installer with a Winblows 10 pooter??"

I've heard of this being done, but your chances of actually doing it successfully are... well, pretty low. Don't count on it.

You need A WORKING MAC with which to create a bootable flashdrive.

If no other pathway is working for you, there are sellers on ebay who will sell you a flashdrive, pre-configured with the OS installer of your choice. Will run about $20. I have no experience with them other than knowing they are there.

 

[Michale32086]

"Do you have a link that would show me how to make a USB installer with a Winblows 10 pooter??"


If no other pathway is working for you, there are sellers on ebay who will sell you a flashdrive, pre-configured with the OS installer of your choice. Will run about $20. I have no experience with them other than knowing they are there.

That's an EXCELLENT idea!

Thanx...

 

[Michale32086]

OK I didn't find any USB SIERRA listings on EBAY..

But I just realized that I DO have access to another MACBOOK AIR..

I put in the MACOS SIERRA Thumbdrive I had created on a PC and this window popped up..

So, this is progress, right??

 

[Michale32086]

SUCCESS!!!!!!

I got the macbook to boot into the MONTEREY Install screen.. I had done this before, but I couldn't proceed with the install because I wasn't connected to the Internet...

One of ya'all had mentioned about connecting to the 'Net while in the INSTALL screen.. I did that and MONTEREY is now installing!!

Thanx for all the help and assistance.. I really learned alot...

Thanx again....