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Which OSX & Installer to recover my mini I5 2018

M

mini5apple

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 2, 2020
65
8
Unable to recover Mac using online Command Option - R

2100F

Apple Support advised me to go to the apple store and they would help make me a USB recovery stick

Apple Store said…..Sorry for spending ££££ thousands we cant help you DL the correct installer & OSX from a reliable source


Now i’m stuck?

Do i buy a mac use it to download from terminal then return it

Or

Use my trusty reliable windows Dell laptop

No idea where to Download a safe copy of Anything these days

Help would be much appreciated

( Computer newb)
 
Bigwaff said:
Used wired ethernet cable. Don't use WiFi. Internet Recovery flakey over WiFi.
Click to expand...
Maybe, but maybe not. It could be that Big Sur or newer was installed on the Mini, which has a T2 chip. This updates the iBoot software on the T2, and in my (admittedly limited) experience, once this happens internet recovery will never work again.
 
[NOTE: I have never tried this, just passing it along]

This YT video describes the creation of a macOS install USB on a Windows machine using a program called TransMac. It needs a disk image (.dmg) file as input, and unfortunately all the official download sources I know of provide package (.pkg) files. But there is a link in the video description to an archive.org page which allows downloading .iso and .dmg files. I believe your Mini originally shipped with Mojave, and I would download that, since it's much smaller than newer releases. Once you've sucessfully installed Mojave, you can then download a newer macOS from the App Store. Are the images on archive.org safe? I don't know, but if you're truly stuck you might have to take a chance.
 
Grumpus said:
Maybe, but maybe not. It could be that Big Sur or newer was installed on the Mini, which has a T2 chip. This updates the iBoot software on the T2, and in my (admittedly limited) experience, once this happens internet recovery will never work again.
Click to expand...
I have 2018 i7 Mac mini with Sonoma installed and I was just able to boot Internet Recovery w/out issue using Option+Command+R. Took about 10 min using hardwired ethernet, but it booted into Recovery and is offering to install Sequoia, the latest compatible version of macOS.

Also booted Internet Recovery using Shift+Option+Command+R w/out issue and was offered to install Catalina, the version of macOS this Mac mini model shipped with. Took about 5 min using hardwired ethernet.

Of course I did not try to install either as I'm happy with Sonoma, but Internet Recovery certainly downloads and starts. Are you implying that the install of macOS from Internet Recovery fails?
 
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Bigwaff said:
Are you implying that the install of macOS from Internet Recovery fails?
Click to expand...
No, my experience is with a T2-equipped 2019 MacBook Air. After I installed Big Sur, which updated the T2, internet recovery has never worked again - the recovery environment is never loaded. The globe spins for a long while, but then the process dies with code -1008F. The Air has no built-in ethernet port. I have an ethernet dongle which works when booted normally, but it's ignored when booted to internet recovery. Booting from the local recovery partition works when Big Sur or newer is installed, but after reinstalling Mojave, booting with cmd+r immediately launches internet recovery, which always fails.

Thanks for posting your experience. After multiple less-than-helpful conversations with Apple Support, I had the impression that the problem affects T2 Macs in general. Good to know that's not true. I'd still love to find a solution,
since I still run Mojave on the Air (because I still have iPods, and iTunes still works the best for managing them).
 
mini5apple said:
Apple Store said…..Sorry for spending ££££ thousands we cant help you DL the correct installer & OSX from a reliable source
Click to expand...
At the very least, they should be able to use Apple Configurator to restore your Mac. Ask them to do this. Otherwise, if you can get another Mac, then you can repair your Mac by connecting the two together and using the Configurator app. (It's on the App Store.)
 
Waff is right.

OP:
You didn't tell us whether you were using ethernet or wifi when your attempt to use internet recovery failed.

IF you are using wifi, DON'T do that.
Connect via ethernet... even if you have to move the computer.

THEN try internet recovery again.

If that STILL fails, you'll probably need to use a USB installer.
You really need another Mac on which to make one.
If you can't find another Mac, there are sellers on ebay who will sell you a USB flashdrive with the OS installer of your choice on it. Will probably cost $20-25.
 
benwiggy said:
At the very least, they should be able to use Apple Configurator to restore your Mac. Ask them to do this. Otherwise, if you can get another Mac, then you can repair your Mac by connecting the two together and using the Configurator app. (It's on the App Store.)
Click to expand...
On Intel Macs, Configurator will only restore the T2 firmware; it will not fully install macOS, which is different than the behavior of Apple Silicon Macs.
 
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chrfr said:
On Intel Macs, Configurator will only restore the T2 firmware; it will not fully install macOS, which is different than the behavior of Apple Silicon Macs.
Click to expand...
Should i not try this?

Fishrrman said:
Waff is right.

OP:
You didn't tell us whether you were using ethernet or wifi when your attempt to use internet recovery failed.

IF you are using wifi, DON'T do that.
Connect via ethernet... even if you have to move the computer.

THEN try internet recovery again.

If that STILL fails, you'll probably need to use a USB installer.
You really need another Mac on which to make one.
If you can't find another Mac, there are sellers on ebay who will sell you a USB flashdrive with the OS installer of your choice on it. Will probably cost $20-25.
Click to expand...

Sorry yes i was connected to high speed 900mb Wifi

I’ll try the Ethernet port, then possibly buy a New Macbook Air and use Terminal to make a Recovery USB then return the Macbook Air

Maybe this is why they are reluctant to help

I only want my personal data from the SSD then it can be used as a coaster

Totally unreliable its happend Twice since purchasing and i barely use it for IMovie & keynote mostly

benwiggy said:
At the very least, they should be able to use Apple Configurator to restore your Mac. Ask them to do this. Otherwise, if you can get another Mac, then you can repair your Mac by connecting the two together and using the Configurator app. (It's on the App Store.)
Click to expand...

The impression i received was honestly

We couldn’t do anything because the Store macs are locked down & unable to transfer data to a Usb or connect directly to another mac

They could only run the online recovery using there WIFI or Ethernet idk and if it doesn’t complete then tough luck
 
bogdanw said:
gibMacOS can be used to create a bootable macOS installer from Windows
https://github.com/corpnewt/gibMacOS
Click to expand...
Lol i’ve just looked at this link

There is no way i’m savvy enough to understand this

Inbetween working 14hour shifts and life

I’ve searched Amazon for pre-loaded USB recovery sticks but the even the Sellers name screams “were going to hack your identity David”

Not sure i trust them tbh for all i know they’ll be after my Bitcoin stash that I don’t actually have lol
 
mini5apple said:
I only want my personal data from the SSD then it can be used as a coaster
Click to expand...
You have data on the internal storage you are trying to retrieve? This is a new twist. Hopefully you have not erased the internal storage in your attempts to install macOS from Recovery.

Try running Apple Diagnostics just to rule out a hardware issue.

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 support.apple.com
 
IMG_6323.jpeg



I found a couple of External Enclosure from old Laptop SSD that i had and vaguely recall making a backup

Does anyone know if these look like something i should follow on with ??

Keeping my Personal Data on the original mac SSD and these enclosure is my priority

any help is greatly appreciated
 
Ok it’s finally started installing a new copy of catalina

No idea what i pressed but i pressed everyone of the above hard drives a few forced shut downs then eventually told me to restart & command -R this took a few goes

Hopefully my Personal Data is still intact

Thanks everyone including Grok
 
I reached this page

IMG_6326.jpeg




Then choose reinstall over night


Woke up to see a full page of script / log saying it couldn’t install (forgot to take a picture)

Then we reached this error page


IMG_6327.jpeg



Now im back at this page after multiple forced shut downs and command - R


IMG_6329.jpeg



Please advise the next step or should i now take it to apple store genius ?


TIA
 
IMG_6330.jpeg
IMG_6331.jpeg
IMG_6332.jpeg



the Bootcamp HD has no personal data just a windows 10 install

Is my personal data still safe?
 
i have the external With 1TB of space however not sure i want to risk copying data onto this if its somehow corrupt

which external USB HD should i buy

usb-C ?
 
Last edited:
B
Bigwaff said:
You have data on the internal storage you are trying to retrieve? This is a new twist. Hopefully you have not erased the internal storage in your attempts to install macOS from Recovery.

Try running Apple Diagnostics just to rule out a hardware issue.

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 support.apple.com
Click to expand...


Before the above pics Bootcamp would boot perfectly I think it still does
 
You just need to involve a third-party Apple shop, you're going to sink too much time in this otherwise. It can certainly be fixed and I'm astonished the AS couldn't do anything given that this exists...
 
OP:

After a thread like this runs on, it gets confusing for an old guy like me as to "where the OP actually is" ...

Does the Mini boot AT ALL?
I don't care what OS is on it.
Can you boot, log in, and get to the finder?

If you can get this far, what OS is currently installed?
(looks like 15.7.1)
Is that correct?

If you can get that far, you should immediately back up your personal data on the internal drive to an external drive.
I'd recommend using SuperDuper (REMARKABLY easy to use) and clone the contents of the internal drive to an external drive (either HDD or SSD). This will create a cloned backup -- it may even be bootable (if the source drive is bootable).

Do you have an external drive onto which you can do this?

With an intel-based Mac, it's not too diffficult to create a bootable clone -- just use SuperDuper or CarbonCopyCloner.

IMPORTANT:
I don't think that either SD or CCC will clone the bootcamp partition (which is probably "the source" of your problems).

Once the clone is done, power down, EVERYTHING off.
Then (make sure the backup is connected and powered on if it has an external power supply) put your finger on the option key and KEEP IT THERE as you press and release the power on button on the Mini. DO NOT LET GO OF OPTION.

Do you see the startup manager?
Is the external drive there?
Now let go of the option key, select the external drive with the pointer, and hit return.

Can you get booted from the external drive?
 
my 2 cents is try to patch Mojave... then install Mojave of that- as was the native OS on the drive or High sierra.
since you need to trick the system as any mac should intsall the native OS, but not in this case.
seach the 'unsupportive" threads in either HIgh Sierra of Mojave on the OS page here,
and see if someone had your problem.

i spent most of the weekend upgrading to Mojave on 2 macbooks but they were early Intel.
i ran into problems that never happeend years ago but somehow found a loop-hole as perverveance was the key.
reinstaling OS on any  is not as easy anynmore as last decade or even in 2021!

just keep on that..since this mac mini is a great computer!
 
In reply 18 above, looking at the pics, it looks like the OP has a bootcamp partition on the internal SSD.

I'm thinking that something in this bootcamp partition/setup is causing his problems.

Ultimately, I believe his solution will be:
1. Get an EXTERNAL drive.
2. Clone the contents of his Mac partition (container?) to the backup
3. Test the backup to see if it may be bootable (it MIGHT be, without the bootcamp stuff)
4. If so, now booted from the backup, COMPLETELY ERASE the internal drive to APFS, DESTROYING the bootcamp partition in the process.
5. Now, the OP can attempt to "clone back over" the contents of the backup. It just might work, and he'll again have a bootable Mac partition pretty much "as it was before".

IF that DOESN'T work, the OP could:
a. disconnect the backup
b. NOW try booting to internet recovery
c. Erase the internal drive again, and see what OS the installer offers him
d. Attempt the install now (again, WITHOUT the bootcamp partition), and see if it "goes through". And if it does...
e. Restore data from the cloned backup using setup assistant.

IF internet recovery still won't work, the OP could try booting from a USB flashdrive installer.
If he doesn't have the means with which to create one "at hand", he could go on ebay and buy a USB flashdrive with the installer already on it. Yes, this costs a little $$$. But might solve his problems when the other methods can't.

Finally, if nothing else works, if there's a brick n mortar Apple Store near, the owner could take it to them and ask for a complete erase and OS install. This WILL destroy previous partitions and data on the internal SSD, but if that's what it's going to take to get it bootable again...

OP:
One last bit of advice:
DO NOT attempt to install bootcamp on this one again, eh...?

P.S.
The owner has a 2018 Mini with a t2 chip in it, right?
(I have one of these, also)
I'm wondering if the "startup security" setting could be interfering with things?
(one of the first things I do with an m-series mac is TURN THAT OFF)
 
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