Stuck

[Kewell35]

My macbook reaches 50% at the progress bar I start up and just sticks.

I tried safe mode. It still sticks and I can't reach safe mode when holding shift.
I tried command, alt, p and r. Nothing.
I tried repairing with disk utility. No errors. It still sticks.
I tried reinstalling. It still sticks.
I tried a clean reinstall but can't back up data because I get an error -61 when trying to save to external hard drive (I think it's a permissions error.)
The only thing that works is holding command and r to disk utility/online help.

I ran it in verbose mode and I get this

hfs : Removed 1 orphaned/unlinked files and 0 directories.
Warning : couldn't block sleep during cache update.
Warning : proceeding w/o DiskArb
dev/disk1 on / (hfs, local, journaled)
BootCacheControl : Unable to open var/db/BootCache.playlist : 2 No such file or directory
bash : etc/rc.server : No such file or directory
bash : etc/rc.installer_cleanup : No such file or directory
USBMSC Identified non unique 000000000820 0*5ac 0*8406 0*820, 3
Waiting for DSMOS...

and some more lines under it but those messages contained the only errors.

 

[Sanpete]

What model do you have, and what OS?

 

[Kewell35]

What model do you have, and what OS?

OS X 10.10.5
Macbook Pro Retina 2015

 

[Sanpete]

Is the external drive you're trying to copy to one you have copied to from you MBP before? I'm wondering if it's properly formatted.

 

[Kewell35]

Is the external drive you're trying to copy to one you have copied to from you MBP before? I'm wondering if it's properly formatted.

No. It's a brand new one. How can I properly format it? Can I do it in the interface using command and r (at startup)?

 

[john.simatos]

No. It's a brand new one. How can I properly format it? Can I do it in the interface using command and r (at startup)?

Yes you can, if you get to the install screen there is an option under utilities at the top

 

[Kewell35]

Yes you can, if you get to the install screen there is an option under utilities at the top

OK. Thanks. I got it. What volume format do I use though? if I want to backup my hard drive... Mac OS Extended (Journaled)?

 

[Sanpete]

Yes. Should be able to save your data and proceed with OS reinstall.

 

[Kewell35]

Hey. I got it to work! Thanks all for the help.