Can’t update the software. Still on Yosemite.

[15danielp]

I’m on a MacBook Pro 17 late 2011. I haven’t been able to update the OS. It locks up when I try. The only way I can get my Mac to work again is to restore from the last time machine backup. Even a reinstall recovery won’t work. Any ideas?

I’ve check Disk Utility and it says everything is fine but I suspect the hard drive.

 

[Audit13]

Could it be a failed hard drive cable?

Do you have an external drive with Yosemite that can be used to boot the machine? If you can upgrade to Sierra or High Sierra on the external, could be the drive.

 

[15danielp]

Could it be a failed hard drive cable?

Do you have an external drive with Yosemite that can be used to boot the machine? If you can upgrade to Sierra or High Sierra on the external, could be the drive.

Good idea, I'll give that a try.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

The easiest way to do the upgrade is to create a bootable USB flashdrive with the installer on it.
Then you boot from the flashdrive and install that way.

You'll need:
- full copy of the installer (when downloaded it will be in the applications folder)
- a USB flashdrive of 16gb or larger
- either "Install Disk Creator", "DiskMaker X", or "Boot Buddy" (all free)