VERY slow install of high Sierra

[Pangolinian]

Hi
my install has now been running for over 24 hours, having looked a other forum threads I have checked the log (Im really not IT savvy) and the lazy thing is only operating every couple of hours then having a rest. Obviously this isn't normal! Even I work harder than that.
I thought it might be to do with the WIFI connection so carefully transported my macbook air Late 2010, to a high speed WIFI. It proceeded to work at 10:26 then 14:46 then a bit at 16:12. The install screen is still showing - but there is no countdown. Im currently running 10.8.5
I have 4GB Ram and 35 GB available on the disk Im installing to.
Should I persevere or do I have to attempt all those other safe mode solutions Ive been reading about?
Any help greatly received!

 

[Lunder89]

The installation shouldn't take that long. The Macbook is equipped with a SSD drive, so it shouldn't be slowing the traffic like that either.
But the big jump (from 10.8 to 10.13), and the low harddrive capacity could be the issue.

If you downloaded High Sierra from the App Store, the download of all the files have been taken care of. All files are local. Now High Sierra will convert your harddrive to APFS, so aborting it before time, could cause problems, like file system corruption, meaning your files will likely be gone, unless you have a backup?

If you still see your desktop, it is still preparing the installation, and we should be able to stop it, but if it has restarted, so you have a grey background, then the process of upgrading your Mac has started, and some more experienced guys will need to pitch in. Since I havn't actually had an installation go wrong before, I am in unfamiliar territory.

 

[Pangolinian]

Hi Lunder89
thanks for your reply.
Yes I can still see my desktop and everything is still functioning, so am I safe to just cancel and then take it to a Mac place and ask them to do a gradual upgrade?
Previous upgrades have failed due to other famous Mac errors and I wasnt particularly bothered - but now its causing issues with the web.
Liz

 

[Lunder89]

If you can still see your desktop, then yes cancel it.

You don't need to take it somewhere to do a gradual upgrade. But making a copy (Backup) of everything on the computer, and the do a fresh installation, meaning deleting the entire harddrive. And then copying all of your files back into place.

And when doing the fresh installation, doing it from a USB drive would be good idea. I have some video. help on youtube for that, when we get there.

 

[Fishrrman]

Sounds like the install has gone off the rails on you.

What I'd suggest for the next attempt:
- Get a USB flashdrive 16gb (you can try 8gb)
- Get the free app "Boot Buddy":
https://sqwarq.com/boot-buddy/
- Use BB to create a BOOTABLE version of High Sierra on the flash drive
- Boot from the flash drive and try the install that way.

It may go easier...

 

[Lunder89]

I would use the terminal to create the USB drive. It needs no other software, and works every time.

 

[Fishrrman]

The problem with "using terminal" is that many Mac folks don't know how to use it.
And trying to use the create install media command requires that the syntax be perfect.

Much easier to use something like Boot Buddy (as I mentioned above).
Process is quick and painless.