Cannot install OS on a MacBook Pro with Touchbar

[Shipoffools]

I recently inherited a MBP A1989. The OS was erased on it and I can get into recovery mode just fine. First I went to the most obvious place, where it gave me the option to install Mojave. I tried that but it gets to about 30 seconds remaining and says there's an error and the installation cannot continue. I tried resetting the SMC, the PRAM and NVRAM, I went into terminal and set the correct time and date. Still nothing.

When I try booting from USB, it tells me the software needs to update. The progress bar moves until halfway, then stops for 5 minutes and tells me it's not able to update.

I tried going to the Startup Disk menu and nothing appears. It wants me to select an account but there are none so I can't continue.

I have a feeling this computer doesn't want me to use it. What am I doing wrong?

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

The MacBook Pro you refer to appears to be a 13" 2018 model with 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports. Is that correct? If it is, it came preinstalled with High Sierra macOS 10.13.6.

Confirm and post back.

 

[Rod]

Does it have an internet connection, WiFi or cable?

As it was not setup for a new user in the recommended way the process is the same as if you were setting it up for resale/trade in and the one main step has already been done, unfortunately we can't know if the first steps were completed. Namely, signing out of iCloud, de authorising the device and signing out of iMessege, iChat etc.

Normally the previous user would do this before erasing the Macintosh HD using Disk Utility from the Recovery partition and reinstalling the macOS the device came with from the Recovery Menu.

Ensure you have an internet connection then try this process again.

Use Disk Utility to erase Macintosh HD. Name it (Macintosh HD is best) choose APFS as the Format and GUID Partition Mapping if it asks (it may not). Quit DU

Click Reinstal macOS from the Restore Menu, it may take some time dependent on your internet connection eg. some hours.

When it eventually restarts (it may do this a few times) it should open with the Setup Assistant allowing you to create a new account.

Let us know if this works.

 

[Rod]

The problem you may have may be due to formatting. High Sierra was not APFS although you could choose to make it so at the upgrade. If it will accept MacOS Extended (Journalled) then you will update the filing system when you upgrade to Mojave. Have a look in DU before you erase the Macintosh HD. If you select the Macintosh HD it will show what Container Type is in use now below and you should stick to the same type.

 

[Shipoffools]

Welcome to our forums.

The MacBook Pro you refer to appears to be a 13" 2018 model with 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports. Is that correct? If it is, it came preinstalled with High Sierra macOS 10.13.6.

Confirm and post back.

Yes that is correct. Though when I received it, it gave me the option to reinstall Mojave through recovery mode.

 

[Shipoffools]

Does it have an internet connection, WiFi or cable?

As it was not setup for a new user in the recommended way the process is the same as if you were setting it up for resale/trade in and the one main step has already been done, unfortunately we can't know if the first steps were completed. Namely, signing out of iCloud, de authorising the device and signing out of iMessege, iChat etc.

Normally the previous user would do this before erasing the Macintosh HD using Disk Utility from the Recovery partition and reinstalling the macOS the device came with from the Recovery Menu.

Ensure you have an internet connection then try this process again.

Use Disk Utility to erase Macintosh HD. Name it (Macintosh HD is best) choose APFS as the Format and GUID Partition Mapping if it asks (it may not). Quit DU

Click Reinstal macOS from the Restore Menu, it may take some time dependent on your internet connection eg. some hours.

When it eventually restarts (it may do this a few times) it should open with the Setup Assistant allowing you to create a new account.

Let us know if this works.

I have an ethernet adapter so I've been using that. I am able to get to the point of reinstallation, but it takes about 10 minutes and gives me an error message about not being able to complete the installation. I'll have to find the exact message when I get home. This is the major issue I'm having.

 

[ferrarr]

Have you run Disk Utility > First Aid? When you open Disk Utility, look under the View menu and confirm "Show all devices" has been enabled.

 

[Shipoffools]

First I went to make sure the date was correct, check. I went to view all devices and picked the top level drive to erase. APFS, GUID, named it Macintosh HD for good measure. Check. Went to install Mojave, after about 10 minutes, I got This message. Trying it again for good measure. The computer is plugged into my router.

 

[Shipoffools]

I was finally able to solve this. I got access to another Macbook and ran Apple Configurator 2 and put the problem Mac in DFU mode. I restored BridgeOS and tried reinstalling Mojave again. That was the problem.

Now a new one has cropped up. The battery says Replace Now, even though it has one (yes, one) charge cycle on it. I tried resetting the SMC, but the final step didn't take. Is there a way to reset the SMC with Apple Configurator?

 

[chscag]

Take a look at this Apple KB article:

If your Mac battery won’t charge

If your battery won’t charge, check the software and hardware of your Mac, or get your Mac serviced.

support.apple.com

I doubt that battery is defective with only one cycle on it, however, it is possible so best to try to reset SMC.

If that doesn't work, you probably need to make an appointment with Apple to have them look at it. I believe the battery in your model MBP is not removable.