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.
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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.
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.
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.
Start with this...
Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at startup), does the problem occur in Safe Mode? Could take 10 minutes.
Safe mode attempts to repair Disks & clears lots of caches & loads safe Drivers, & prevents loading of 3rd party extensions, so if Safe Mode works try again in regular boot.
The Safe Boot did not change the outcome. I got the same prompt saying "Failed to prepare the software update." Is there something else I should try? I always update my system when a one comes out and this has never happened before. Presently I have l OS BigSur 11.6
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
I can't think of anything, but is this 11.6.1 or 12 ?
Apple logo at top left, About this Mac, which build do you have installed?
Click on Version to show the build...
[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]
Error in preparing the update. I have tried several times and cannot update to Monterey.