Can't load into Mac OS Loop

[ErrorCode]

I don't know what has happened, but today I tried to log into my Mac, and it wouldn't let me in, kept giving error, so I tried to update it via USB, since then it's given me an error, and it just keeps telling me to contact the manufacture. I searched online, and found someone mentioning recovery via the internet, so I used the Option, Command and R for recovery now it's downloaded the OS install files, though I've come to another problem I have run out of disk space, is there any way for me to delete the internet recovery and Install the Mac OS X off the USB?

Or have I just lost all my files?

I've literally tried everything I could think off, Please help! I don't want to lose any of my files! If you need any more info on this please let me know, so can provide.

 

[Taz Mangus]

What is the specific error that it is reporting to you? Can you post a picture the error message.

 

[ErrorCode]

Well now, it's just looped into installing MAC OS X, but I tried to use the internet recovery, though it's downloaded the files, I've now got no space to install the files that are it's downloaded through internet recovery.

I don't know what else I can do. Is there any way to save my files?
[automerge]1592048539[/automerge]

Is there any way I can make space, without booting into the OS? As I am unable to do this.

 

[ErrorCode]

When I try to normally just boot it up, after inserting the password, it takes me to this installing Macintosh HD, later giving me the error.

And just loops, after inserting the password. I urgently need to access my files, and I can't seem to find anything online to aid. Stuck in a bad one here guys, all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I've literally tried everything I could think off, Please help! I don't want to lose any of my files! If you need any more info on this please let me know, so can provide."

If you "don't want to lose any of your files", then you keep a backup on an external drive which you can reach for in "a moment of extreme need".

Sounds like one of those "moments" has just hit you.

In the future, I suggest you try either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper (using an external drive). Both are free to download and try for 30 days. Both will create BOOTABLE cloned backups. If you had one right now, you could just plug it in and boot up from it, and all you're files would be "right there".

---

Do you have an external drive around RIGHT NOW?
(this will also work with a USB flashdrive that is 32gb or larger)
If so, try this (not sure if it can help now or not, but try)
1. Plug in drive (you're going to erase it, just be aware of that)
2. Boot to internet recovery again
3. Open disk utility
4. Select the external drive and ERASE IT to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
(If you're going to install Mojave or Catalina, erase it to APFS, GUID partition format)
5. Now close disk utility and open the OS installer.
6. Click through the installer, and when the installer asks you WHERE you want to install, "aim it" at the EXTERNAL drive.
7. MacBook will reboot one or more times, screen may go dark for a while, you may see one or more progress bars, be patient
8. IF the installer can install the OS onto the external, set it up with a simple account.
9. NOW see if you can "see" and access the INTERNAL drive.

 

[TiggrToo]

I don't know what has happened, but today I tried to log into my Mac, and it wouldn't let me in, kept giving error, so I tried to update it via USB, since then it's given me an error, and it just keeps telling me to contact the manufacture. I searched online, and found someone mentioning recovery via the internet, so I used the Option, Command and R for recovery now it's downloaded the OS install files, though I've come to another problem I have run out of disk space, is there any way for me to delete the internet recovery and Install the Mac OS X off the USB?

Or have I just lost all my files?

I've literally tried everything I could think off, Please help! I don't want to lose any of my files! If you need any more info on this please let me know, so can provide.

Would also help if you told us when age of your MBA. If it's old enough then you may be getting errors due to comparability issues.

And to reiterate @Fishrrman's sage advice: Backups are everything. Heck even Time Machine backups are better than nothing.

 

[ErrorCode]

I've now learned my lesson on that. I've placed an order for a backup drive. I will try what fisherman has said, so basically install the OS into an external drive? and boot through there?

 

[TiggrToo]

I've now learned my lesson on that. I've placed an order for a backup drive. I will try what fisherman has said, so basically install the OS into an external drive? and boot through there?

Again, what's the age of your MBA? That could help others help you and make the difference between files and no files...

 

[ErrorCode]

It's a Macbook Air, 2015 model
Was running Yosemite

 

[ErrorCode]

Currently installing the OS into a external drive, estimated time is 4 hours. So hopefully this should work, and once I can log in can delete a few applications to get more space before installing the OSX into the built in SSD, and then when my external drive arrives I will create a backup, time machine.

 

[Fishrrman]

One step at a time.

See if you can get a copy of the OS installed and running on an EXTERNAL drive.

At that point, there's a clever way to "move it on over" to the INTERNAL drive.

Download CarbonCopyCloner.
It's FREE to use for 30 days.
Get it here:

Download Carbon Copy Cloner | Carbon Copy Cloner | Bombich Software

bombich.com

IMPORTANT: there is an "older version download" for older versions of the OS.
BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE RIGHT VERSION for the OS you're installing.

Next, ERASE the INTERNAL drive to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
Then, use CCC to clone the contents of the external drive to the INTERNAL drive.
Then go to startup disk and set the internal drive to be the new boot drive.
Then try rebooting and see if that gets you to where you want to go...

 

[TiggrToo]

One step at a time.

See if you can get a copy of the OS installed and running on an EXTERNAL drive.

At that point, there's a clever way to "move it on over" to the INTERNAL drive.

Download CarbonCopyCloner.
It's FREE to use for 30 days.
Get it here:

Download Carbon Copy Cloner | Carbon Copy Cloner | Bombich Software

bombich.com

IMPORTANT: there is an "older version download" for older versions of the OS.
BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE RIGHT VERSION for the OS you're installing.

Next, ERASE the INTERNAL drive to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
Then, use CCC to clone the contents of the external drive to the INTERNAL drive.
Then go to startup disk and set the internal drive to be the new boot drive.
Then try rebooting and see if that gets you to where you want to go...

It may have been too late already, but won't this remove any last chance the OP would have had to get at their files?

Like I say, that boat may have already set sail and sunk long ago...

 

[ErrorCode]

So, instead of this what I did was after the OS was installed on the external drive, I made space to install the OSX back into the SSD which it was originally on. After doing so, I was able to log back in as I once did, without losing any of the files. Now I will back this up, thank god. None of my files were affected. Thanks so much for all the help.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Now I will back this up, thank god. None of my files were affected. Thanks so much for all the help."

I recommend either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.
If you're using an older version of the OS, I believe there are older versions of CCC on their download page that will support it.

 

[LuisN]

When I try to normally just boot it up, after inserting the password, it takes me to this installing Macintosh HD, later giving me the error.

And just loops, after inserting the password. I urgently need to access my files, and I can't seem to find anything online to aid. Stuck in a bad one here guys, all help would be greatly appreciated.

It seems the certificate expired problem. Boot from usb installer and change date in terminal to some date in 2018 and don't connect to the internet until it finishes installation.
If you have access to another Mac download El Capitan from here:

How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan

OS X El Capitan remains available for Mac computers that can't upgrade to macOS Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, or Sierra, or that need to upgrade to El Capitan first.

support.apple.com

and create a new USB installer

 

[ErrorCode]

Only problem with them is being paid, I'm using time machine at the moment.

 

[LuisN]

Only problem with them is being paid, I'm using time machine at the moment.

The basic functions (cloning) work without paying

 

[ErrorCode]

Oh I see, is it better then the time machine?

 

[LuisN]

Oh I see, is it better then the time machine?

Both allow you to create bootable clones of your system disk. If your internal disk fails you'll have a full functioning clone.

They are not better, they provide you with an instant emergency solution. Time machine allows you to recover individual old or deleted files from previous dates. They are complementary.

 

[lgjay]

Just don’t ever run out (or close to) of storage space on any of your modern apple devices.

Apple devices cannot handle low storage well; there is a chance that they will end up stuck in boot loops.

I have experienced once and seen several experienced similar problems on this forum.