You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Factory reset and reinstall gone wrong!

macbook pro 2017 model-A1466

I had to factory reset this computer because I bought it from a person who did not know how to factory reset it. Was told that computer works but internal speakers don’t work. It was operating in Monterey. I went into recovery mode and erased it as per instructions and went to reinstall the operating system Monterey. but the Internet I was on cut out as it was reinstalling. I brought the computer home, and started the reinstall, but it will not connect to the Internet so I restarted the laptop and it opened in a different macOs utility screen. When trying to reinstall it it would only have the option of mac os sierra. It would try to install but would say an “error occurred when trying to prepare installation”.

Not sure what to do?

MacBook Air

Posted on Sep 29, 2022 10:26 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 30, 2022 2:53 AM

Was the Apple Method Used --- >>> Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac


Followed by --- >>> How to reinstall macOS


Follow these guidelines during installation:

  • If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
  • If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
  • If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD


If all else fails - Connect computer to Router using Ethernet Cable.


Shutdown computer


Startup and Immediately Hold the 3 Keyboard combo " Option Command r "


This is " Internet Recovery Mode " and will load a spinning Globe as it connects to the Apple Servers


1 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


2 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


3 - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


4 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


5 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


6 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 30, 2022 2:53 AM in response to Jess-ie

Was the Apple Method Used --- >>> Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac


Followed by --- >>> How to reinstall macOS


Follow these guidelines during installation:

  • If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
  • If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
  • If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD


If all else fails - Connect computer to Router using Ethernet Cable.


Shutdown computer


Startup and Immediately Hold the 3 Keyboard combo " Option Command r "


This is " Internet Recovery Mode " and will load a spinning Globe as it connects to the Apple Servers


1 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


2 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


3 - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map


4 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


5 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


6 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

Factory reset and reinstall gone wrong!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.