Startup Disk Update?!

[DRDR]

I am booting macOS on a 2018 Mac Mink from an external Thunderbolt NVMe drive setup. From time to time a message pops up, saying that the startup disk software has to be updated. After this update process the boot continues as usual.

What exactly is going on here? And why does it happen more than once?

 

[DeltaMac]

I suspect that message is related to the T2 security on a 2018 mini.
Can you post a screen shot of that message, or at least word-for-word, as it shows on the screen?

 

[DRDR]

I suspect that message is related to the T2 security on a 2018 mini.
Can you post a screen shot of that message, or at least word-for-word, as it shows on the screen?

" A software update is required to use this startup disk." Then you can click on the "Update" button and it starts the update process (like firmware update).

 

[DeltaMac]

Maybe you could turn off the T2 security?
More info: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208330

I see that you made that external boot drive prior to getting the 2018 mini. Did you just plug it in to the new Mini, and it works, other than the startup disk message?
I suspect that a better fix will be reinstalling the macOS system. If you have a bootable Mojave installer, boot to THAT, and reinstall the system on your external. It won't delete anything, but a reinstall SHOULD fix your boot issues by verifying that the external is in APFS format. That should be a good fix. Double-check after that reinstall that your Startup Disk has the correct boot volume selected.

 

[DRDR]

Maybe you could turn off the T2 security?
More info: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208330

I see that you made that external boot drive prior to getting the 2018 mini. Did you just plug it in to the new Mini, and it works, other than the startup disk message?

Yes, it is an old installation and it just worked. Security is already disabled in the T2 settings.

Do you know what exactly is being updated in the process?

 

[astrorider]

I’m not sure what it’s doing, but I saw this a couple times when I was first setting up my mini which uses an external boot drive from my old computer. I let it update each time and haven’t seen it again since.

 

[DeltaMac]

Do you mean the process of reinstalling the macOS system?
The reinstall checks everything that is installed, verifies that all system files are present, and in the correct location. Any discrepancies are fixed. Part of that is verifying that the drive format is correct, and valid. THAT should fix your issue, I think.
What does the reinstall actually update? Everything that needs updating, or replacing. That could be thousands of files, or just one file in the wrong location. It is essentially a "repair" install of the system.

 

[DRDR]

Do you mean the process of reinstalling the macOS system?

No, I meant what kind of update is done to the startup disk.

 

[DeltaMac]

If your external boot disk is NOT in APFS format, the Mojave install will change the format to APFS.
(The installer checks the format, and modifies it to APFS. You don't have any control over that. The installer will do that change automatically, and that is likely a fix to prevent that message about updating the software.

 

[elitistjerk]

@DeltaMac ping

also pinging @Nermal

so thanks to @davidlv's instructions here, i was able to create and boot from a recovery drive.

however it gives me the message discussed in this thread, and delta is suggesting these jerks are trying to surreptitiously remove my HFS+ installation on my iMac Pro?! is that even legal?

don't they have to tell me they are going to do this, like they do when you install mojave afresh?

i have also read elsewhere that it is possible to circumvent this message by updating the T2 firmware using configurator.

however my question about "revive" is similar: whether it will modify my file system, in spite of their claim it will not touch your file system in any way.

 

[Nermal]

is that even legal?

I am quite sure that there is no legislation dictating home computer file systems.