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Error in preparing the update. I have tried several times and cannot update to Monterey.

Why can't I update to Monterey? I keep getting an error message that it failed to prepare the update - please try again. Which I have now, many times.

Posted on Nov 5, 2021 4:44 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 7, 2021 7:22 AM

November 4, 2021 Version # 2


The below points should be consider before attempting the upgrade.


Point # 1 - Does the >>  Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade 


Point # 1A - There are reports appearing on the ASC Forums regarding failed installation of Monterey on older Qualifying Apple Computers. In most cases this is related to having a NON Apple Original internal drive ?  The EFI Boot ROM included in Monterey is verifying for Original Apple Drive and if not found , may Balk or fail to upgrade to Monterey. Reports indicate the EFI BOOT ROM is Required to Flash the Computer and is a  requirement for a Successful Monterey Installation.


Point # 2- >> How to upgrade to macOS Monterey


Point # 3 - Empty Space Requirements  >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage. 


Point # 4 - Empty Space afterwards - it is suggested to keep at least 15% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.


Point # 5 - The upgrade will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection. 


Point # 6 - If using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Monterey


Point # 7 - Commercial VPNs should only be used if Mandated by Corporate Head Office for working remotely. Otherwise - ones Privacy and Security touted by the VPN is suspect. 


Point # 8 - If downloading Monterey from behind a VPN it may increase Packet Looses and an incomplete or corrupted Installer.


Point # 9 - AntiVirus Software should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS including the download and installation of Monterey. The The Built in Security  is all that is required. There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


Point # 10 - Disk Cleaners, Optimizers and UnInstaller are not needed. They will often times attempt to Modify, Alter, Remove or Delete elements of the Operating System requiring a Re-Installation.


Point # 11 - Do you have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Point # 12 - For addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site


Point # 13 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Monterey. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extensions. Do they offer updates or upgrades. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.


Point # 14 - If upgrading from Mojave and earlier versions of macOS - Remember that Monterey does not support anything 32 bit. These include Applications, Extensions and Drivers for any devices. There is no workaround.


Point # 15 - To check for 32 bit Applications - a good application to use is Go64 - safe to use.

8 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 7, 2021 7:22 AM in response to iPeggyO

November 4, 2021 Version # 2


The below points should be consider before attempting the upgrade.


Point # 1 - Does the >>  Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade 


Point # 1A - There are reports appearing on the ASC Forums regarding failed installation of Monterey on older Qualifying Apple Computers. In most cases this is related to having a NON Apple Original internal drive ?  The EFI Boot ROM included in Monterey is verifying for Original Apple Drive and if not found , may Balk or fail to upgrade to Monterey. Reports indicate the EFI BOOT ROM is Required to Flash the Computer and is a  requirement for a Successful Monterey Installation.


Point # 2- >> How to upgrade to macOS Monterey


Point # 3 - Empty Space Requirements  >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage. 


Point # 4 - Empty Space afterwards - it is suggested to keep at least 15% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.


Point # 5 - The upgrade will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection. 


Point # 6 - If using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Monterey


Point # 7 - Commercial VPNs should only be used if Mandated by Corporate Head Office for working remotely. Otherwise - ones Privacy and Security touted by the VPN is suspect. 


Point # 8 - If downloading Monterey from behind a VPN it may increase Packet Looses and an incomplete or corrupted Installer.


Point # 9 - AntiVirus Software should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS including the download and installation of Monterey. The The Built in Security  is all that is required. There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 


Point # 10 - Disk Cleaners, Optimizers and UnInstaller are not needed. They will often times attempt to Modify, Alter, Remove or Delete elements of the Operating System requiring a Re-Installation.


Point # 11 - Do you have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS


Point # 12 - For addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site


Point # 13 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Monterey. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extensions. Do they offer updates or upgrades. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.


Point # 14 - If upgrading from Mojave and earlier versions of macOS - Remember that Monterey does not support anything 32 bit. These include Applications, Extensions and Drivers for any devices. There is no workaround.


Point # 15 - To check for 32 bit Applications - a good application to use is Go64 - safe to use.

Nov 7, 2021 7:28 AM in response to BDAqua

My current version is 11.6 on my desktop iMac, called Big Sur. I am trying to update to the newest version, Monterey. It is listed as v12.0.1. From your comment asking if it was 11.6.1 when I looked this morning that was the update it was showing to go to. Earlier when I tried it was only 11.6. I tried to update to 11.6.1 but got the same failure notice. After the failure, the update notice once again went back to showing 12 as the new update that was available. It switched back from showing 11.6.1 as the latest update to again indicating the new update as 12. I am baffled as to why I cannot update. This is my system info:  

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac19,2

Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Core i5

Processor Speed: 3 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 6

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 9 MB

Memory: 16 GB

System Firmware Version: 1554.140.20.0.0

Error in preparing the update. I have tried several times and cannot update to Monterey.

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