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octopus_

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 15, 2023
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Hi. First time posting on this forum, sorry if I'm too vague or explain my situation incorrectly.
I was given a 13-inch 2018 macbook air running Ventura. In an attempt to downgrade it to Mojave, I wiped the SSD in Recovery Mode– specifically, the part of the SSD that says "APPLE SSD..." instead of "Macintosh HD." I think this was a mistake, because it would not enter Recovery Mode after the wipe, nor could it enter Internet Recovery Mode (attempted to connect, loaded, then displayed an error screen). I attempted to use a bootable USB drive with Mojave installed but it would still attempt to connect to the internet when I did that, and load indefinitely.
I figured this meant that there was a firmware issue of some kind and attempted to revive, then restore the firmware following these guides: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdebea5be51/mac
My second mistake: using the only mac I had on hand at the time– a 13-inch, 2017 Macbook Pro running MacOS 10.14.6. Because it's Mojave, I don't have a modern version of Apple Configurator. Instead I have Version 2.12.1.
Both the revive and restore failed ( The operation couldn't be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 10 - Failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0xA (10)] ) and now the computer is completely unresponsive. If I hold the power button, the screen does not light up. It does not show its battery charge when I unplug it. When I connect it to my 2017 mac with the USB-C - USB-C cable, it appears under system information > USB as "Apple Mobile Device (Recovery Mode)". Apple Configurator 2 no longer displays it as a box that reads "DFU" – instead it reads "Recovery." I don't know what this means and I can't find anything about it online.
Screen Shot 2023-08-15 at 11.20.26 PM.png
How badly did I screw up? Is there anything I can do to fix this device at home?
Some extra information: I have access to a third mac running Big Sur, but it is so old that it lacks a USB-C cable. I will also have access to a new mac that runs Ventura at the end of this week.
 
Hello Octopus,


A problem can easily be resolved by bringing it to an expert's attention.

As a first step, I would recommend that you pay a visit to an Apple Genius at an Apple store.

Good luck in the repairs.


richmlow
 
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Hi. First time posting on this forum, sorry if I'm too vague or explain my situation incorrectly.
I was given a 13-inch 2018 macbook air running Ventura. In an attempt to downgrade it to Mojave, I wiped the SSD in Recovery Mode– specifically, the part of the SSD that says "APPLE SSD..." instead of "Macintosh HD." I think this was a mistake, because it would not enter Recovery Mode after the wipe, nor could it enter Internet Recovery Mode (attempted to connect, loaded, then displayed an error screen). I attempted to use a bootable USB drive with Mojave installed but it would still attempt to connect to the internet when I did that, and load indefinitely.
I figured this meant that there was a firmware issue of some kind and attempted to revive, then restore the firmware following these guides: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdebea5be51/mac
My second mistake: using the only mac I had on hand at the time– a 13-inch, 2017 Macbook Pro running MacOS 10.14.6. Because it's Mojave, I don't have a modern version of Apple Configurator. Instead I have Version 2.12.1.
Both the revive and restore failed ( The operation couldn't be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 10 - Failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0xA (10)] ) and now the computer is completely unresponsive. If I hold the power button, the screen does not light up. It does not show its battery charge when I unplug it. When I connect it to my 2017 mac with the USB-C - USB-C cable, it appears under system information > USB as "Apple Mobile Device (Recovery Mode)". Apple Configurator 2 no longer displays it as a box that reads "DFU" – instead it reads "Recovery." I don't know what this means and I can't find anything about it online.
View attachment 2246513
How badly did I screw up? Is there anything I can do to fix this device at home?
Some extra information: I have access to a third mac running Big Sur, but it is so old that it lacks a USB-C cable. I will also have access to a new mac that runs Ventura at the end of this week.

https://mrmacintosh.com/how-to-restore-bridgeos-on-a-t2-mac-how-to-put-a-mac-into-dfu-mode/

The article has more information that the YouTube video (including errors), have a read.
 
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richm has it right.

If you can't get it revived yourself, better make an appt. for the genius bar at the nearest brick n mortar Apple Store...
 
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Hi. First time posting on this forum, sorry if I'm too vague or explain my situation incorrectly.
I was given a 13-inch 2018 macbook air running Ventura. In an attempt to downgrade it to Mojave, I wiped the SSD in Recovery Mode– specifically, the part of the SSD that says "APPLE SSD..." instead of "Macintosh HD." I think this was a mistake, because it would not enter Recovery Mode after the wipe, nor could it enter Internet Recovery Mode (attempted to connect, loaded, then displayed an error screen). I attempted to use a bootable USB drive with Mojave installed but it would still attempt to connect to the internet when I did that, and load indefinitely.
I figured this meant that there was a firmware issue of some kind and attempted to revive, then restore the firmware following these guides: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/apple-configurator-mac/apdebea5be51/mac
My second mistake: using the only mac I had on hand at the time– a 13-inch, 2017 Macbook Pro running MacOS 10.14.6. Because it's Mojave, I don't have a modern version of Apple Configurator. Instead I have Version 2.12.1.
Both the revive and restore failed ( The operation couldn't be completed. (AMRestoreErrorDomain error 10 - Failed to handle message type StatusMsg) [AMRestoreErrorDomain – 0xA (10)] ) and now the computer is completely unresponsive. If I hold the power button, the screen does not light up. It does not show its battery charge when I unplug it. When I connect it to my 2017 mac with the USB-C - USB-C cable, it appears under system information > USB as "Apple Mobile Device (Recovery Mode)". Apple Configurator 2 no longer displays it as a box that reads "DFU" – instead it reads "Recovery." I don't know what this means and I can't find anything about it online.
View attachment 2246513
How badly did I screw up? Is there anything I can do to fix this device at home?
Some extra information: I have access to a third mac running Big Sur, but it is so old that it lacks a USB-C cable. I will also have access to a new mac that runs Ventura at the end of this week.
On an Intel Mac the Configurator restore does not reinstall the operating system, and you don't need to use a DFU restore to downgrade the operating system. You can do it either with internet recovery or with a USB installer. What exact error do you get when you try internet recovery?
 
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