Mac OS Installation Errors with Multiple macOS Versions

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Level 1

4 points

Mac OS Installation Errors with Multiple macOS Versions

Hello.

I have a 2018 Mac Mini with an Intel Processor. It originally came with Catalina and was eventually upgraded to Ventura. Towards the end of Ventura, macOS updates would not install, nor could were upgrades to a new operating system. There were error messages about problems preparing the update.

After various attempted fixes not working, I moved all the files to a different computer and tried to reinstall Ventura through Recovery Mode and a USB. Both failed (with an error message that a software update was needed to proceed--which failed.) I did an erase of the disk and in Internet Recovery Mode I was able to successfully reinstall Catalina and then do successfully do a Catalina update.

However, I have tried to install Sequoia, Ventura and Monterey and they all fail. Every time it fails showing 8 minutes left with the error message, "An error occurred installing macOS. You can try again to complete the installation." The Mac Mini is connected to the Internet with an Ethernet connection, so I don't think the connection is the problem. I have run the Disk Utility first aid tool numerous times and not come across any problems. I have also tried the install in Safe Mode.

Any ideas????

Posted on Dec 16, 2024 7:03 AM

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Answer 1

PRP_53

Level 10

93,253 points

Dec 24, 2024 7:32 AM in response to bobhail

Give this a try

If an error occurred while updating or installing macOS

Specifically these items

Check storage space

If the message says that your Mac doesn't have enough storage space, free up storage space.

Check your internet connection

" The installer needs a stable internet connection to get firmware and other information specific to your Mac. Make sure that your Mac is connected to the internet.

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Answer 2

bobhail Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2025 5:50 AM in response to bobhail

I set this problem aside for a while. I tried installing Monterey and all the other versions and all get the same error message: "An error occurred installing macOS. You can try again to complete the installation." I tried various ways to delete the installers on the hard drive to start fresh, but couldn't figure out how to do that. Going to take the Mac Mini to the Apple Store.

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Answer 3

PRP_53

Level 10

93,253 points

Dec 17, 2024 1:54 AM in response to bobhail

You seem to have done a fair amount of good work trouble shooting this issue

Not sure this will work in macOS 10.15 Catalina but worth a try ?

Terminal command below will only search for Full Versions of macOS this computer Qualifies to run

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

If it should present Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura and or Sonoma and Sequoia 🤞

Again in Terminal and use any of the following command

It should manually download the Full Version which range in size from 12.xx GB up to 15.3 GB for the full Sequoia 15.2

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.7.10

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.7.6

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13.7.2

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 14.7.2

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.2

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Answer 4

bobhail Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 24, 2024 6:02 AM in response to PRP_53

Hi. Thanks so much for your reply. Using your suggestions, I was able to get Big Sur to successfully install using the terminal command, upgrading from Catalina.

However, when I've run the terminal command "softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version...." for more recent versions, I have the same problem. The installation app is in the Applications folder and it opens and starts the installation, but then fairly quickly I get "An error occurred installing macOS. You can try again to complete the installation."

A terminal command shows all these installers available:

% softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Finding available software

Software Update found the following full installers:

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.2, Size: 15279129909K

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.1.1, Size: 14553556992K

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.1, Size: 14550621811K

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.0.1, Size: 14477806278K

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.0, Size: 14477883930K

* Title: macOS Sonoma, Version: 14.7.2, Size: 13653061319K

* Title: macOS Sonoma, Version: 14.7.1, Size: 13659200204K

* Title: macOS Sonoma, Version: 14.7, Size: 13663759071K

* Title: macOS Sonoma, Version: 14.4.1, Size: 13617677748K

* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.7.2, Size: 12202651371K

* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.7.1, Size: 12210056898K

* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.7, Size: 12208894692K

* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.6.6, Size: 12204014697K

* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.7.4, Size: 12408638012K

* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.7.10, Size: 12416490165K

* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248985973K

* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248854894K

* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.6, Size: 8248781171K

* Title: macOS Mojave, Version: 10.14.6, Size: 6038419486K

Any suggestions?

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