Cannot Reinstall OS X After Wiping MacBook Pro

[admann96]

I recently tried to wipe my Late-2011 MacBook Pro so I could sell it. After removing the files I needed I followed Apples directions to erase the data from the MacHD using Mac OS X Utility. Once the hard drive was deleted I continued to the "reinstall OS X" portion of the process. After waiting about 15 minutes for the download I got the unspecified error "An error occurred while preparing the installation. Try running this application again." After researching this problem I tried changing the date using terminal, resetting the NVRAM, and I even made a bootable version of OS X Sierra, all of which have been unsuccessful. I am not sure what else to do and I do not not want to pay Best Buy $100. Any ideas would be much appreciated.


FIX: I partitioned the main drive into two equal sections and ran the OS X installer on the second half of the partition and it worked. Hope this helps others!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Did you try installing from a USB flash drive?

 

[admann96]

Did you try installing from a USB flash drive?

Yes, I used 16GB Sandisk and followed this tutorial: http://www.macworld.com/article/309...-a-bootable-macos-sierra-installer-drive.html

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yes, I used 16GB Sandisk and followed this tutorial: http://www.macworld.com/article/309...-a-bootable-macos-sierra-installer-drive.html

And what happened when you tried installing that method?

Do you have a Time Machine backup available?

 

[admann96]

And what happened when you tried installing that method?

The apple logo appeared with a spinning dial, and then a grey "no entry" sign replaced the apple logo and the dial continuously spins.
[doublepost=1480292857][/doublepost]

The apple logo appeared with a spinning dial, and then a grey "no entry" sign replaced the apple logo and the dial continuously spins.

After the OS X download completed^^^

 

[Apple_Robert]

The apple logo appeared with a spinning dial, and then a grey "no entry" sign replaced the apple logo and the dial continuously spins.
[doublepost=1480292857][/doublepost]

After the OS X download completed^^^

That sounds like the system isn't recognizing your hard drive.

 

[admann96]

That sounds like the system isn't recognizing your hard drive.

Is there anything I can do?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Is there anything I can do?

Take a look at the Apple help link on that subject. Hopefully, you can get it going.

When you wiped the drive in disk utilities, which portion did you wipe, the top portion or the bottom one that usually says Macintosh HD by default? And are you sure the format is extended journal?

 

[admann96]

Take a look at the Apple help link on that subject. Hopefully, you can get it going.

When you wiped the drive in disk utilities, which portion did you wipe, the top portion or the bottom one that usually says Macintosh HD by default?

I wiped the one that says Macintosh HD.
[doublepost=1480294526][/doublepost]Also, each time I erase the Mac HD it leaves almost half a gig still showing as used. Is it a problem that it never fully erases?