Major issue, not able to run recovery mode

[mear1628]

Hi All,
I have a major issue, as my MBP (2018) doesn’t want to go into recovery mode anymore.

I was running Big Sur, but Fusion was way to slow. So, I decided to downgrade to Catalina.
Was able to go into recovery mode, erased the startup disk (APFS) and selected “Big Sur”.
After this I saw the “spinning globe” and the status bar. When finished I received a -1008F error message. From there I tried the following:

Normal restart: blinking folder icon with a question mark on the screen

Wifi
Cmd + R: spinning globe, network selection (WiFi), after selection, status bar and when finished -1008F
LAN:
Cmd + R: spinning globe, network selection (WiFi), after selection, status bar and when finished -1008F
Hotspot:
Cmd + R: spinning globe, network selection (WiFi), after selection, status bar and when finished -1008F

Did the same for with same result:
Option+cmd+R
Shift+option+cmd+R

Also tried a bootable install version of Catalina (option + power on). I see the install drive, select the WiFi network, select the “Install macOS Catalina” icon. I see the notification “Starting Internet Recovery. This may take a while”. Then I see the spinning globe and status bar. When finished the same error message -1008F.

To be sure I also tried another keyboard.

To turn off the MBP I press and hold the power button for 20 sec, and wait another 20 sec before turning the MBP on again.

But for some reason it would not go into recovery mode anymore….

 

[IWT]

A warm welcome to our Forums. Thank you for your post.

blinking folder icon with a question mark on the screen

A folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system. See here for details:

If your Mac starts up to a question mark – Apple Support (UK)

A folder with a flashing question mark means that your computer's startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system.

support.apple.com

I think explains why you can't get into Recovery Mode as well. I suspect the problem which pushed you into abandoning macOS 11 Big Sur (BS) for macOS Catalina was the starting point.

Sorry for the bad news.

Ian

 

[mear1628]

HI IWT,
Thank you for your reply and I have some good news.

After about 4 hours trying the different key combinations, suddenly the option + cmd + R worked and I was able to recover my MBP.And even was able to downgrade to Catalina.

BR
Arno

 

[IWT]

That is good news. Well done. I'm pleased for you.

Maybe, just keep a watch on that Hard Drive. You mentioned that it is a Fusion Drive??

Whatever else, make sure you have a backup. Time Machine is the first obvious choice; partly because it's part of the Mac's OS and only requires an External Hard Drive (EHD), and secondly, in an emergency you can boot from it into Recovery Mode.

Many of us have a Cloned backup as well.

Good to have you as a member. Keep visiting

Ian

 

[Rod]

It would seem that either your first attempt or perhaps the second actually initiated Network Recovery which continued to download and instal macOS Catalina despite interruptions. You mention you pressed the key combination below.

• Option-Shift-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall the version of macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version that’s still available.

FYI, here is the link to the full article; Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

 

[mear1628]

Just bought myself a 2T TC.

@Rod, the Option-Shift-Command-R also didn't work.

So far the MBP is running find (only the fans sometimes suddenly start to spin fast.

 

[Rod]

Hmm, yes, I get what you say, I just wondered if the process was running from your first attempt. Sometimes these processes just carry on in the background. Anyhow it sounds "fixed" now.

The fans may have reason to run fast from time to time so unless they are very noisy, I can't tell that of course that's probably not an issue.

As others have suggested, make a backup now. This will preserve your personal data, apps and media.

That done, anything else can be repaired or restored with abandon later if necessary.

Just avTime Machine backup will be fine but, it should be a dedicated external hard drive, just for TM about twice the storage of your internal drive. I have a 512GB SSD in my MBP so I have a 1Tb (1000GB) external for TM backups, nothing else.

You have not mentioned the storage on your 2018 MBP but you have said you purchased a 2T TC. I assume that's a 2TB SSD (correct me if I'm wrong). While I always argue more storage is better than less, 2 Terrabytes may be too large for just a TM backup and putting TM on a drive with other data is dicey. TM might accidentally overwrite other data while it's formatting might also cause problems into the future. That's why I suggest a dedicated drive for TM.

You option could be to partition the EHD into two equal halves, one for TM and the other for whatever else. Me, I'd rather have two smaller drives.

Give us your thoughts on this, I'm happy to continue the conversation.

 

[mear1628]

Thank you all for your replies.
My MBP has a 500GB flash drive and Time Machine (Time Capsule A1470) has a 2GB drive.

Creating 2 partitions is a good idea. That way I use one partition for my MBP and the other partition for my iMac.
I might created 3 partitions (1TB for my MBP, a 500GB for my iMac (251GB flash drive) and 500GB for general purpose.
Or isn't this a good idea?

 

[IWT]

might created 3 partitions (1TB for my MBP, a 500GB for my iMac (251GB flash drive) and 500GB for general purpose.
Or isn't this a good idea?

It’s a terrible idea. I mean no offence whatever. The strength of my statement is based on the very obvious danger of losing three lots of crucial data if that Drive fails.

Really, you must have dedicated drives for each Mac and another drive for what you call general purpose.

Sorry to seem so brutal, but we have seen this scenario so often and it can be disastrous.

In your case, you are dealing with a number of issues on your MBP. You have an iMac too. Each needs its own backup.

Ian

 

[mear1628]

@IWT
Sorry
I just created the 3 partitions, but TM only sees the "Data|" folder.
So I will revert it to only 1 partition.

But bad news that I cannot backup 2 machines with one Time Capsule

 

[Rod]

Data is all TM will copy. The volumes Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD-Data are seperated now. Macintosh HD the OS is now locked. TM copies user data but can boot from the Recovery Partition.

 

[AdamJesser]

Hi Guys,
I hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread.
I'm new here, and this thread came up as I'm also having an issue with a flashing folder on start up.
My wife has done something to her Macbook Pro 2020 build, and I can't get it restarted.
I've tried holding down option key to start the computer in order to try and restart over the internet but with no luck. It times out after 10 minutes or so with -2002F code showing up.
Is it possible to use my other Macbook Pro to reinstall the operating system? Can it be tethered?
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[ferrarr]

Is it possible to use my other Macbook Pro to reinstall the operating system? Can it be tethered?

You would need to give the specific model, size and year of both Macs and which macOS they are using.

 

[AdamJesser]

You would need to give the specific model, size and year of both Macs and which macOS they are using.

The laptop that wont start is a 2020 13" Pro, the other is a mid 2015 Macbook Pro
Thanks

 

[chscag]

My wife has done something to her Macbook Pro 2020 build, and I can't get it restarted.

First, welcome to our forums.

Second, we really need to know exactly which 2020 model MacBook Pro she has. Startup and recovery are very different for an Intel MacBook Pro and an M1 MacBook Pro. Both are 2020 models.

 

[Rod]

Yes, welcome to these forums. Normally if a device starts with a flashing folder icon that indicates that the start up volume cannot be found or is damaged in such a way that it cannot be used.
As chscag has said there are now two distinctly different 2020 models and the process for restoring each is quite different.
if you get the serial number off the bottom of the device you can look it up online,Identify your MacBook Pro model is the Australian site but Apple support for this is available world wide.

 

[AdamJesser]

Yes, welcome to these forums. Normally if a device starts with a flashing folder icon that indicates that the start up volume cannot be found or is damaged in such a way that it cannot be used.
As chscag has said there are now two distinctly different 2020 models and the process for restoring each is quite different.
if you get the serial number off the bottom of the device you can look it up online,Identify your MacBook Pro model is the Australian site but Apple support for this is available world wide.

Thanks Guys!
My wife has decided to take the laptop to a shop, so we should be all good.
Thanks for your help so far!
Cheers