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Can't get into Recovery Mode

J

justinrlee

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 9, 2015
5
0
I have a 2013 MBP (15") that's currently on Big Sur. Overall it's in good condition; everything appears to be functioning.

I'm in the process of trading this in, and I'm trying wipe it before I send it in.

I've done this on a number of other devices (2x 2015 13"s this past week), but for some reason I can't seem to get into recovery mode (or startup manager, or internet recovery mode). None of the key combinations work from here work (Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support), regardless of whether I follow the instructions exactly, or press the combination to starting the laptop, or anything else; I get the Apple logo and then it goes straight to the login screen.

I've tried resetting NVRAM and SMC but I don't think they're actually doing anything cause the behavior (dual tones) doesn't happen.

Any suggestions? I've tried with an external wired keyboard and that doesn't seem to help either. Thanks in advance!
 
Last edited:
If I’m reading it correctly, everything in that link assumes you’re able to get into Recovery Mode.
 
If your wired USB keyboard is not an Apple-brand, then that's likely what you need to get this to work.

Another choice to wipe your MBPro is to boot from an external installer.
A 2013 would certainly boot from a Catalina bootable installer.

With what you have now, are you able to boot to the Option - boot picker screen?
 
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justinrlee said:
If I’m reading it correctly, everything in that link assumes you’re able to get into Recovery Mode.
Click to expand...

No you didn't read through some of the posts, some people are saying they needed to fully boot into the OS just like you would if you were to want to use it.. then went into terminal to type resetpassword, something maybe that Big Sur needs done before erasing the mac? Just thought you would give it a try.
 
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ealmonte32 said:
No you didn't read through some of the posts, some people are saying they needed to fully boot into the OS just like you would if you were to want to use it.. then went into terminal to type resetpassword, something maybe that Big Sur needs done before erasing the mac? Just thought you would give it a try.
Click to expand...
I don't know where you read that someone reset the password from Terminal while the system was booted in normal mode? You can not reset the password while the system is up and running. The command to reset the password has to be accomplished from the Terminal in Recovery mode.

@OP: Just follow what @DeltaMac said.
 
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I have to admit, one of the guys said he made a mistake after explaining about normal mode vs recovery mode, that post/thread is confusing.

@OP: what about just changing your startup disk from "normal" mode? (assuming you still cant get into startup manager with holding down option key or any other of the startup options..)
 
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The recovery volume is not available for selection in the Startup Disk pref pane, and not every system version shows the recovery volume in the Option boot manager screen. The method that usually should work is the Command-R on boot or restart. (Again, some generic or Windows USB keyboards may not work properly with keyboard boot commands.)
 
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Unfortunately, I don't have an Apple keyboard, and have had no luck with either of my non-Apple external keyboard.

I created a bootable Catalina installer, but I can't get to it (doesn't show up in the startup disk preference pane, which I think is expected behavior, and I can't get to the boot selection screen using alt/option).

I can't get into either recovery mode or into the boot selection screen (and what I'm doing works on my other two Macbooks, so I think I'm doing it right). I'd also prefer not to have to buy an Apple keyboard in order to wipe a laptop that's going to be traded in...

I've already removed all my data (wiped the user, removed all additional installs and launch daemons). I think it's as fresh as I can get it without a clean install; maybe I just send it in and see what the trade in folks (Phobio) make of it? I assume they have tools that can be used to wipe everything.
 
OP:

If you've removed all your personal data --- which you seem to have done --- I'd just send it in that way.

Another suggestion:
Try connecting the external keyboard again.

Boot 3 times.
First time:
Command (windows key?) OPTION R
does this get anywhere?

Second time:
Command (windows key?) ALT R
does this get anywhere?

Third time:
Command (windows key?) CONTROL R
does this get anywhere?

If you boot "normally" to the finder, does the built-in keyboard work without problems?

A final thought...
Do you have another Mac?
If so, can you connect the MBP in target disk mode?
Press the MBP power on button and IMMEDIATELY hold down the "T" key (and no other key).
Do you get the target disk symbol on the display?

I'm thinking that if you could connect it in target disk mode to another Mac, you could then use disk utility to erase the drive and install a new copy of the OS.

Finally... again... if you are confident that you have erased your PERSONAL data (even if the OS remains), just send it in that way...
 
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Keep in mind that the the boot keys that "might" work on a windows keyboard will usually be reversed.
That applies to the Windows key and the alt key.
Try to boot holding the Windows key, not the alt key.
 
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Just to close the loop: tried a couple different keyboards, with all the ctrl/alt/command modifiers + R. Nothing worked. Sent it in to Phobio (Apple's trade-in service provider), and got this:

Your trade quote has been revised due to the device being unable to complete our erasure process fully to satisfy the level of security necessary in protecting your data. This may indicate additional issues or software locks.
Click to expand...

Quote was revised from 360 down to 130, which kinda sucks but honestly I'm glad to just be done with it.

Thanks for all the help, @DeltaMac and @Fishrrman and @chscag and @ealmonte32!
 
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