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I want to sell my old iMac 27" so I secure formatted HDD with APFS and tried to install macOS (CMD + R) but installation is aborted with an error:

It is not possible to install mac OS on your computer. An error occurred when configuring file attributes. Finish the installer to restart the computer and repeat the operation.

I reseted SMC, PRAM but it is not success.I used WiFi, I used wired connection — no success. HDD S.M.A.R.T. is OK. I tried installation process many times but always get this error. What can be wrong?

enter image description here

Dmitry
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  • @agarza - though i can't read Russian myself, the bold section would appear to already be what you're requesting. – Tetsujin Oct 01 '22 at 17:02
  • Re-download the Installer, in case it's got corrupted somehow. Check that you can install onto another drive. I'd also use Disk Utility to verify the hard drive -- which after 9 years is likely to be on its last legs anyway. – benwiggy Oct 01 '22 at 17:16
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    Bold text in my message is translation of the error on screenshot) – Dmitry Oct 01 '22 at 20:13
  • @benwiggy HDD is ok. SMART is ok. Disk Utility verifying OK. – Dmitry Oct 01 '22 at 20:16
  • Is Apple boycotting Russia ? – Ruskes Oct 01 '22 at 23:11
  • @Ruskes Apple Online Shop and Apple Pay blocked but other services don't. On my another Mac I get Mac updates, I can install software, etc. – Dmitry Oct 02 '22 at 07:35
  • It seems HDD is dead now) In Disk Utility capacity is 4.14 Tb, but real capacity 3 TB and Disk Is Uninitialized. I even can not clear it now. It worked 24/7 from January 2014. RIP my silicon friend. – Dmitry Oct 02 '22 at 18:29
  • Guys tell me if I buy a new one HDD or SSD it will work fine? Some time ago I changed HDD in my iMac 21" mid 2011 and fans goes crazy. And I used fan utility to calm fans down. – Dmitry Oct 02 '22 at 18:34

1 Answers1

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Try this:

  1. Download macOS Catalina full installer somewhere (i.e. App Store, Terminal or via torrent)
  2. Create installation media using USB flash drive (i.e. this guide)
  3. Boot from installation media
  4. Launch Terminal and set computer date to approximate date of macOS Catalina you downloaded, i.e. for version 10.15.7 use command date 093023592020 (September 24, 2020)
  5. Exit Terminal and launch macOS installer
bananakid
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    You don't need to do the date trick anymore if you get the installer from https://support.apple.com/HT211683 See https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/309400/85275 – Tetsujin Oct 02 '22 at 07:39