I am not trying to install an OS, but when I try to start the computer it tells me the MacOS could not be installed. Why is it telling me this, and why is it trying to install an OS?
The computer is about 7-8 years old and I don't know what model it is or what OS it was running. I do know that I was able to start it and use it with no problems several times in the past few weeks.
Earlier Mac models
"Mac shows 'macOS could not be installed' on startup: I am not trying to install an OS, but when I try to start the computer it tells me the MacOS could not be installed. Why is it telling me this, and why is it trying to install an OS? The computer is about 7-8 years old and I don't know what model it is or what OS it was running. I do know that I was able to start it and use it with no problems several times in the past few weeks."
-------
Troubleshooting 'macOS could not be installed' on Startup:
Mount this Drive:
However so, the drive may have been unmounted. So, boot into Recovery Mode, and see if you need to mount the drive. You'd select the drive, and mount it. If already mounted, then unmount it and then mount it. How to do boot into Recovery Mode depends on the processor type on your Mac: (Intel or Silicon)
It could be an automatic update if you've allowed that in System Settings/System Preferences. Can you go past the error message and use your Mac normally?
Mac shows "macOS could not be installed" on startup
