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Can’t install Mac OS on Laptop!

tonyau

tonyau

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 27, 2011
65
17
I have a 2017 15” MacBook Pro that I was going to trade in for a Mac Mini M1. So I erased the disk as instructed and sent it off to Brightstar. They decided there was something wrong with the screen (screen burn from the keys??) so I asked them to return it, which they did a month later.

It arrived today and I have been unable to boot into the OS. It’s possible that the recovery partition was deleted. All I get is a black screen and a drop down list to connect to wifi. Then it tries to connect to the apple servers and fails with an error -2002f. So I checked this out and someone recommended that I change the DNS servers to 8.8.8.8. I have done this to no avail. I created a boot disk with Big Sur OS but the MacBook doesn’t see it.

I dont know of any other way to get this thing up and running - save going to the genius bar.

Is the MacBook stuffed?? How can I install the OS?
 
Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store nearby (that is still open)?
If so, make an appt and take it to the genius bar. It may be worth the trouble to do this.

Have them examine it to see if you qualify for a display replacement (also known as "StainGate". Apple extended the warranty on the display on these for 4 years from date of initial purchase, you may still qualify.

IF they're willing to do it, it should be returned with a brand-new battery as well (the entire top case gets replaced).

If you can get that done, worry about reinstalling the OS later (or they may do that with the screen replacement).

Good luck.
 
Fishrrman said:
Have them examine it to see if you qualify for a display replacement (also known as "StainGate". Apple extended the warranty on the display on these for 4 years from date of initial purchase, you may still qualify.
Click to expand...

I think that the screen is fine - I had a look at staingate.org and I really don't have those problems.
 
Thanks for the comments :)

I think what I need is to know how to get the laptop to start from another volume. The option key doesn't work, and Im not sure what else to do.
 
tonyau said:
Thanks for the comments :)

I think what I need is to know how to get the laptop to start from another volume. The option key doesn't work, and Im not sure what else to do.
Click to expand...
There are 2 Option keys on the keyboard. Have you tried both Option keys?
 
What "external volume" are you trying to boot from?
Is the only symptom of the Option keys not working is trying to boot from a "external volume"?
 
Update:
So yesterday I took my laptop to the local Apple store, and they were able to connect to their servers and download the OS. They could not do an install from my SD card and reader.
It then dawned on me on what could be the problem. The card reader is USB 3 and not USB-C! So, while it can do the normal things like transferring images it probably cannot action an install disk. I will buy a proper card reader today and test this out.
 
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