I'm getting an error message when I try to upgrade to Catalina or Big Sur

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Level 1

12 points

I'm getting an error message when I try to upgrade to Catalina or Big Sur

Currently running Yosemite (full updated) on a 2015 MacBook Air with 100+ gb free space, only 4 mb of RAM but am told that should not be an issue. When I try to upgrade to either Catalina or Big Sur, I get the message: '

The server gave an error during download: 500 Internal Server Error."

Internal Error.

I've tried it in safe mode, I've cleared my cache, I've attempted it from both Safari and Chrome. I've tried under a guest account. It should be upgradeable - I have a 2014 Air with less memory and it upgraded no problem.

MacBook Air

Posted on Jul 1, 2021 9:15 PM

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Answer 1

PRP_53

Level 10

91,831 points

Jul 2, 2021 2:48 AM in response to Cmaryfitz

Source of information below https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201475

If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 35.5GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44.5GB of available storage. To upgrade from OS X Mountain Lion, first upgrade to OS X El Capitan, then upgrade to macOS Big Sur.

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Answer 2

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,602 points

Jul 2, 2021 3:08 AM in response to Cmaryfitz

Even though Apple says that 4GBs is the minimum RAM necessary for the upgrade, it is not in reality.

8GBs should considered the bare minimum as these new macOS's are a bit more resource hungry.

Running with 4GBs would allow you to sit back and admire your mac but doing anything useful

would be a drag.

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Answer 3

PRP_53

Level 10

91,831 points

Jul 2, 2021 3:12 AM in response to Cmaryfitz

If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 35.5GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44.5GB of available storage. To upgrade from OS X Mountain Lion, first upgrade to OS X El Capitan, then upgrade to macOS Big Sur.

Althought the article above specifically mentioned Mountain Lion - Yosemite is only one step newer. Your experience is showing Yosemite to Big Sur is not working. Need another step up in macOS before the leap to Big Sur to work.

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Answer 4

Cmaryfitz Author

Level 1

12 points

Jul 2, 2021 6:07 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

OMG THANK YOU. I was living in a fantasy world where there was no way it could be that long since I updated this computer. It was my son's and he moved up to a 13", and I decided to use this one since mine was a 2014 (that I'd obviously kept updated lol). Currently download El Capitan and getting on with my life. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Jul 2, 2021 2:45 AM in response to Cmaryfitz

I don’t think you should even be able to upgrade directly. You need to upgrade to El Capitan first and then you can try to upgrade to Catalina or Big Sur.

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I'm getting an error message when I try to upgrade to Catalina or Big Sur

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