Installing mountain lion failed

I have made a bootable USB disk of mountain lion and I tried to install mountain lion off of it. However, it has failed to install.
I went to boot it from the USB and it started installing as it should but then when it came to the second screen where it says it will take 30minutes it froze and then said that there was an error and I need to reinstall mountain lion. So I went to restart my computer and now it comes up with a error is saying "there was a problem installing "Mac OS X" try reinstalling". When I try reinstalling without my USB plugged in it comes up with the install OS x window but it does not detect my internal hard drive disk.
I do not no what to do? I tried to go utilities>restore system from backup and I plugged in my external hard drive but now it does not recognize my hard drive disk on my MacBook so I couldn't restore. Please help me! Need my MacBook to finish my assignments
I'm using a late 2008 aluminum MacBook (according to apple it's is compatible)
Upgrading from lion
Please help me ASAP if possible

Since you have Lion running after this restore, do not instal ML from this USB stick you made (it is probably not corrupt, but anyway don't use it) but download ML again.
The installer you will find then in the Applications Folder.
Before you install it, make a new USB stick installer with "Lion Diskmaker 2.0.1" : this works for Lion too. Read the acompanying readme.
When you have this USB stick made, INSTALL BY USING THE INSTALLER IN THE APPLICATIONS FOLDER:
this will eliminate the large file form your Aplications folder and will just create a ML installation with all your data etcetera in place.
Note: beware that some Apps may not be ML compatible, you can check on the www.roaringapps.com sites.

Similar Messages

Install Mountain Lion failed because cannot find out harddisk.

Hi, my laptop is MacBook Air 2011 and I buy it near Dec 2011 in India. previously I installed Lion and Windows 7 in it. Today I get the Mountain Lion OS and try to install OS as totally new, so before installation I delete the windows partion. Now there is only Lion OS partion there can be seen in Disk Untility, but when I do the installation, only USB installation disk can be found.
Now I cannot boot into Lion also, please tell how to solve this case so I can install Mountain OS, thanks!

My laptop is Macbook Pro, just before the new models were released 2012
My issue is slightly different, I downloaded ML and when asked to select the drive to install ML it would identify my hard drive as a time machine back-up. Then when I go back and try a second attempt it just flat out says I can't install ML on this hard drive. What's going on?
As far as I know there is no damage, the computer is backed up.
What can I do?

I recently attempted to re-install Mountain Lion on my MacBook Pro late 2012 model and the internet recovery is failing.

I recently attempted to re-install Mountain Lion on my MacBook Pro late 2012 model and the internet recovery is failing. I have absolutely no clue what to do here. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
- Currently if I boot it up there is a flashing folder icon with a question mark in it. I am assuming this means there is no OS because I wiped the SSD and tried to reinstall Mountain Lion
- When I hold Command+R, it prompts me to Choose Network... the problem with this is the wifi constantly is disconnecting. The Retina 2012 does not have an ethernet port so i have considered buying the attachment then returning when done.
Once again Thank you in advance.
Best.

There is nothing to do if you don't have a reliable Internet connection unless you have a copy of the Mountain Lion installer application from when you first installed it.
Install or Reinstall Mavericks or Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
OS X Mavericks- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Erase and reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
because it is three times faster than wireless.

Installing Mountain Lion from Snow Leopard, Install failed and HD write-locked

I recently downloaded the mountain lion installer from the App Store and I ran the installer. Stupid person as I am, I did not have any backups for my file and I naively assumed that an apple OS installer would be without flaws. Boy, was I wrong. I need every bytes of my data (or close to every bytes) but the installer failed.
Mid installation, the installer stopped and said that the installation failed and that I need to repair my disk. So I restarted the computer and I ran disk utilities (my start up disk was the OS installer and the installer allows me to run several programs, including terminal, disk utilities, and by the way, when I held option while starting up to see which start up disks I have, I only had the OS installer as the start up disk. Also, the installer allows me to run a program called "Startup Disk" when I click on the apple logo on the top left corner, but it doesn't allow me to startup my computer using Macintosh HD) and noticed that when I highlighted Macintosh HD, my "Repair Disk" button was grayed out. So first things first, I ran the "Verify Disk" button but after a minute or so, Disk Utilities said that verification failed and that Macintosh HD needs to be repaired. But the "repair disk" button is grayed out! So I went to the Mountain Lion installer again and ran it. Of course, it failed again so I restarted the computer.
So I tried to first back up all files in Macintosh HD to an external hard drive using Disk Utilities, and I used features such as "New Image" and "Restore" but they both ended up in "Input/Output error". I tried many methods with Disk Utilities but they resulted in errors.
After some research, I noticed that some people's computers worked after they reset their PRAM. So that's what I did. I held command+option+P+R when computer started up and I reset the PRAM. When the start up disk (which is the OS installer, not the normal operating system) loaded, I was greeted with choose languages option and then I was back in the Mountain Lion installer state. I again ran the installer again, hoping something would be different, but then it was different. But not in a good way. When I was told to choose where I would like to install Mountain Lion, I noticed that Macintosh HD was grayed out. Last time, I was at least able to run the installer but this time, Macintosh HD was grayed out. The installer said that my Macintosh HD was locked. After some research, I learned that apparently, the Mountain Lion installer write-locks Macintosh HD mid installation.
So now I am stuck and I am thinking of two things (plus some questions)
1. I am wondering if there is a way to unlock Macintosh HD. But even if I can unlock Macintosh HD, there is no guarantee that the installer will successfully install Mountain Lion, am I right?
a. so how can I un-write-lock Macintosh HD?
2. More realistically, I am thinking of borrowing someone else's macintosh computer and use it as the backup center. I have a firewire cable and a terrabyte external hard drive. So what I'm thinking is that I'll hook my computer in target mode to my friend's computer and I will also plug in my external hard drive to my friend's computer and then I can download and run Carbon Copy Cloner from my friend's computer to copy all data from my Macintosh HD to my external hard drive. And then I will erase my Macintosh HD, freshly install Mountain Lion onto it and then copy all data back from my external hard drive. But I am not sure about few things.
a. it looks like my Macintosh HD is write-locked. Can I still use Carbon Copy Cloner to copy all data from Macintosh HD (in target mode) to my external hard drive?
b. will my computer allow me to erase (or format) Macintosh HD?
c. will my erased/formatted Macintosh HD able to install + be installed Mountain Lion OS?
If you are here, then you have read my long long problem. Thank you very much and I would really really really appreciate your answers and opinions. Thanks

I'm not sure where you read that about the disk being "write-locked." That doesn't make much sense, given that the major task an installer like this must achieve is writing a whole bunch of files to the hard drive. I think your source was mistaken.
As to what happened, it sounds like your hard drive was badly corrupt to start with, or possibly was on the edge of failing and is now in the process of dying entirely. If you don't have backups of your data, that does not bode well for you, unfortunately. If you can manage to use target mode to copy your data, do that.
Once you're sure you've got all your data, you need to start up from your Snow Leopard install disk and repair the hard drive. (Since it sounds like the Mountain Lion installer didn't work, I wouldn't trust the recovery partition that Mountain Lion installs.) Or, even better, just erase the hard drive entirely and reinstall Snow Leopard. Then, once you're back up and running, with all your data back on the system and with Snow Leopard updated to the most recent version, try installing Mountain Lion again. If any of that fails again, the problem is likely to be a dying hard drive, and you'll need to replace it.

I get an "install failed" message. "Recovery system can't be created-click restart to return to previous version of OS X." This doesn't work. My Mac continues to try to install Mountain Lion. What is the elegant way to get my system back?

I get an "install failed" message. "Recovery system can't be created—click restart to return to previous version of OS X." This doesn't work. My Mac continues to try to install Mountain Lion. What is the elegant way to get my system back?

The first time I attempted to install ML was on a late 2011 MBP. It ran for three minutes then gave me the error message: Could not install OSX due to an unexpected error. I was using the original ML install app, not a USB or other drive.
After a couple of restarts wiht the same result I saw a message to the effect that the install was trying to close open apps. I closed apps manually a few times to no avail. I shut down instead of restarting then booted into Safe mode (hold down the shift key when starting) and that did it. The install went smoothly after that.
I since installed ML in two iMacs using a cloned copy of the install app on a USB drive. This time I shut down the computers and booted into Safe Mode first and there were no problems.
I don't know if this issue is the one causing you these problems but it is a simple enough solution to try.
Jay

Mountain Lion fails to install saying it cannot create the recovery; I had a similar problem with Lion and the Apple Store that helped me resolve it gave me an installable version of Mountain Lion on a flash drive for my inconvenience....

Mountain Lion fails to install saying it cannot create the recovery; I had a similar problem with Lion and the Apple Store that helped me resolve it gave me an installable version of Mountain Lion on a flash drive for my inconvenience....is there some trick I am missing or do I need to make an appointment with a genius...

I have the MacIntosh volume and the Boot Camp partition only. I know that when I installed Lion, I had to go through a whole back-up and recovery of Windows and then re-format the drive.
The tech at the Apple Store had a previous life as a MSCE and was very helpful. I believe he even said that I should not have htis problem with Mountain Lion which is why they gave me the flash with it onboard. I was in the process of starting a new job when I went to Lion, so I have waited to do this next and probably last upgrade to this old MBP since I doubt Apple will support this MBP in Maverick.
I do not have another installation, so that is not an option. I will try to create an external, I have plenty of hard drives around and see if I can get it done that way. It might take me a week or two to get back to it, but I will comment back upon completion of that effort. Thanks for your help....Dave Iverson

Brand new Mac, had to erase drive through disk utility as time machine back up failed. Now disk utility only has the option to install Mountain Lion which my Mac won't allow. Anyone any ideas as my Mac won't load anything up but disc utility!

Brand new Mac, had to erase drive through disk utility as time machine back up failed on initial setup, USB cable popped out Now can only access disk utility as won't load to log in screen. The only has the option in disc utility is to re-install Mountain Lion which my Mac won't allow or loading another time machine back up but after an hour of it processing, that didn't resolve the issue either! The time machine back up is the latest back up of my Mac Book Pro which was using OS X Maverix. I'm guessing I'm going to have to take my Mac to the store but that would be a hassle so does anyone have any ideas?

Follow this guide using another Mac.
Insert your newly created Mavericks USB into you Mac, press the power button and then hold down 'option,' until it gives you an option to boot from the USB. You will then be able to erase the internal disk with Disk Utility and reinstall Mavericks straight after.
After that you should be able to use Migration Assistant to restore your applications and user data.

When trying to install Mountain Lion I get an error message, Failed, recovery can't be created

When trying to install Mountain Lion I get an error message, Failed, recovery can't be created

My Mountain Lion install failed for the following reason:
OS X can't be installed on the disk Macintosh HD, because a recovery system can't be created.
The message went on:
Visit www.apple.com/support/no-recovery to learn more.
The page is about a different failure, but I'm assuming the reason for my failure is this one:
The disk has a non-standard Boot Camp partition setup, in which further partitioning was performed after running Boot Camp Assistant, or the configuration that Boot Camp Assistant created was manually modified.
The cure involves erasing the entire HD and starting from scratch, which in my case would involve backing up both the Mac and Windows sides, setting up Boot Camp again, reinstalling Windows XP and recovering everything from backups on both sides. I would rather not have Mountain Lion than go through all that, and I think it's unfair for Apple to expect me to.
Because I don't recall doing anything off-piste when I set up Boot Camp in the first place (for a start, I'm not clever enough), I consider this episode an inadequacy in the Mountain Lion installer. As I won't be using the download, is it possible to get my money back?

I have tried to install Mountain Lion but it has failed to install properly

I have tried to install mountain lion but it has failed to install

If you open Finder and open your Applications folder list, under the alphabetically listed "I"'s you should see an application called "Install OS X Mountain Lion.app", if it downloaded OK. This is the package that you double click on to begin installation of Mountain Lion. Have you already done this?
Hope this helps

HT1338 Attempt to install Mountain Lion has highlighted need for internal disk repair. Even after "repair" ML still says disk is damaged. Attempt to restore from Time Machine back-up failed - cannot 'see' internal HD to restore to. Help!

Attempt to install Mountain Lion has highlighted need for internal disk repair. Even after "repair" ML still says disk is damaged. Attempt to restore from Time Machine back-up failed - cannot 'see' internal HD to restore to. Help! Has attempt to install ML caused these problems or just highlighted existing need to Repair Disk? Even so, why can back-up from Time Machine not see the internal drive to restore to?

Csound1, William & Sig .... thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I fear you are right - I'll need a new disk. I'm booked in at the Apple Genius Bar in Bordeaux, France on Wed ... quite a challenge as my French isn't great! The current internal disk is 500gb, does anyone know whether I can upgrade my 21.5" iMac (circa Oct-2009 vintage) to a larger size internal disk, 1Tb or even 2Tb? I already have one external 2Tb drive and another one on order (I have masses of media stored and more planned as I've just taken up photography). Seems a bit of a pain managing with only 500gb internal storage. OR, can you advise me on how I can store all my photos on my new 2Tb external drive - I can't seem to figure out how to set the path for iPhoto to see them (I can't even figure out where they are stored right now!). Same with iTunes, how do I set the default storage to the external drive (I moved everything manually and then imported them all from the new drive - it worked but seemed very convoluted). Any advice on how to manage multiple drives gratefully received. And thanks again for previous replies.

Mountain Lion fails to install

I have been trying to install mountain lion for a while now. just donloaded the updated version but it still fails.
it fails after trying to install it and says the system will now restart and return to the previous OS (lion).
I have tried booting to the recovery HD to see what i can do but it just starts installing ML but doesnt seem to go anywhere.
Tried a clean install but it doesnt come up with the options to format, it just tries to install but fails.
If anyone knows of any other options for me to try it would be mighty helpful.

I'm having a similar problem. The update downloaded quickly. It looked small. The computer asked to restart and install. I've been looking at the spinning gray spokes for about an hour. Twice the computer has gone to sleep, and I had to wake it up.
I'm using a FileVault disc protection and I'm afraid of forcing a restart. I'm not sure a full install of mountain lion took this long.... But I was able to walk away from that. Here, it seems to go to sleep on me if I don't periodically poke the keyboard.

How do I use Disk Utility to help install Mountain Lion after many failed attempts?

I tried to install Mountain Lion from an App onto my MacBook.
First it said that my disk was damaged to i tried to repair it.
Didn't work.
Then it said I didn't have enough room to install Mountain Lion.
Then I tried to restore Lion.
Didn't work.
Then someone suggested I reset my PRAM.
Tried that, and now I am stuck.
I can't restore any of my backups from timeline.
I can't reinstall OSX because my drive is now locked.
And I don't know how to use Disk Utility to solve this problem!
Any suggestions welcome... I'm in way deeper than I understand and feel like anything I do is making this worse!

I gather that your computer is in a less than satisfactory state, so the process below will basically start you from scratch, but you shouldn't lose anything.
Okay, can you inspect the Time Machine Backups with the Finder? About two or so folders down you should start seeing your system files. Assuming all your files are present.
Important^
You probably have an installation disk that came with your macBook. Boot from that CD and install from the CD.
Run the verify disk utilites and repair utilities if necessary.
You may want to erase your disk from the CD's disk utility. This will erase your Hard Drive (make sure you do not erase your backups, as that would be very bad).
Once the installation is complete, run all system updates. Either look through your backup and find the Mountain lion installation app, or download it from the app store again.
Run the ML installtion app.
Once everything is up and running, move all files and folders you want from your TM backups and you should be good to go.

Mountain Lion Failed to Install

In the middle of the install OSX mountain lion jumps to a recovery screen and cancels the install. When I restart the computer I am able to go right back to my normal desktop with nothing lost.
Any thoughts- There is no error message.

I'm having a similar problem installing Mountain Lion on my older MacBook Pro (mid to late 2007). When I begin the install and choose my internal HD, I get the message "This disk is used for Time Machine backups." That's not true - I have Time Machine completely turned off. I've gone to Disk Utility and used Verify and Repair Disk. It did some repairs and now shows that the disk is fixed. However, the new system will still not install. I don't have File Vault on either. Any suggestions for me?

I am having mail problems after installing Mountain Lion

The mail doesn't work properly and the cursor freezes up and I get the color wheel whenever I start typing and have to wait for it to catch up. All this started after downloading the wonderful upgrade Mountain Lion. Is there a way to go back. I was happier then.

Graciegirl,
I habve exactly the same problem with my wireless Deskjet F4500. I have done the following with no results:
Installed Mountain Lion update
Printer cannot communicate wirelessly (blue light blinks)
Uninstalled HP Software
Reinstalled software using usb cable, otherwise printer not recognized.
Software successfully installed
Ran software update
New HP Software installed 2.9
Printer still connected with usb cable and is recognized in Printer preferences as idle
Box checked to configure device for wireless network
Directed to use usb cable to configure (it already is)
clicked continue
Hp Installer determines that computer is connected to a wireless network
correct net name indicated
wep password entered
looking for network
Get the following message:
Device not connected
To configure the network settings of the selected device, please connect it temporarily via usb. The device can be disconnected from the usb once the network setting are transferred
click okay, but cannot continue because printer is already connected by usb.
Ran wireless net test by pressing scan button
No filtering FAILS
I can print using USB cable
Can anybody out there help Graciegirl and I?

How How can i install Mountain Lion with faulty firewire ports??

Basically the firewire ports are fried on my MBP 3.1 (2007). My mac used to take hang on blue screen and take 10 mins to boot but I solved this problem by installing an ssd and deleting the following kext file...
/System/Library/Extensions/IOFireWireFamily.kext
My MBP now boots in under 20 seconds so if anybody is having the same issue then there is the resolotion..
Anyway these are the steps I have taken but failed to properly install ML.
Dowloaded Mountain Lion at least 3 times from the App store to make sure the download wasn't corrupted.
I even tried making a Lion Bootdisk so I can install Mountain Lion on a USB drive (Install ESD.dmg).
I have even tried installing Lion first thinking I would take it one version at a time but gets stuck on boot screen too.
I even changed my hard drive to a new blank SSD drive to see any difference.
Each time I install Mountain Lion or Lion, everything is good until the installer has to restart the laptop.
Laptop gets stuck at the grey boot screen with the Apple logo and the loading circle. Nothing ever happens after.
I always had to use/boot to the Snow Leopard CD so I can restart the laptop back to the Snow Leopard OS and then update to 10.6.8.
I am guessing it is the ML dmg reinstalling the above file ( /System/Library/Extensions/IOFireWireFamily.kext ) which is leading to the same issue because of the faulty firewire ports.
Is there anyway I can resolve this because its doing my head in and Snow Leopard is old and doesnt support newer software that I would like to use.
Any help would be kindly appreciated. Thanks

Kurt Lang wrote:
Just some thoughts.
I presume you already partitioned the new SSD drive as GUID?
Is there anything on the new drive at all yet, or anything that isn't already backed up? If not, you could try erasing the drive and then installing OS X from the bootable flash drive installer you made.
Ive tried that and yes it is GUID. Im going to get grey hairs soon and Im not even 30 lol .... yet
I am not going to buy a new logic board as its just not logical (sorry for the pun) I got the mac for free and I want to spend as little money as possible. Im running out of ideas though

Installing mountain lion failed

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