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I'm trying to perform a clean install of macOS Sierra on a late 2009 iMac, but I can't get it to work. The installation comes up with errors every time when it's almost finished. As I've tried a lot of things, I'll list them up first as they come with different errors.

Something also notable is that the iMac first failed an upgrade from El Capitan to Sierra via the Mac App Store. It gave the error that the installation had not been successful and should be run again. This, of course, did not work.

As there were only old files on the iMac, I decided to perform a clean install. First of all I erased the HDD via macOS Recovery. This all went well without any errors. I rebooted the iMac and went to Recovery and had selected the option to install macOS Sierra. After a long time waiting the installer finally ended up with the error: The installation was unsuccesfull, please try again. So I thought that maybe the installer was at fault so I created a bootable USB.

First I created a bootable USB via my MBP 2016 using the Terminal. It all went well and the USB was located in the Finder as Install macOS Sierra.

I plugged in the USB to my iMac, held the option key and than the USB didn't show up. After long Googling I found that unplugging and plugging the USB back in while the screen of 'select bootable' was shown, did work. So I selected the USB and went through the process again. But again with the same result. After some more Googling I tried to reset the PRAM with the commandoptionpr keys and booting it up twice. Same result again.

I than erased the USB and created a new one via the MacDaddy install disk creator. It showed fine in the Finder on my MBP, but the same as the first time for my iMac. And the installation gave the same error.

After some more Googling, I tried to reset the date via the recovery Terminal, via the format: date mmddHHMMYYYY. It than gave a new error upon installation: "The installer payload failed signature check".

After more Googling I tried to reset the date via the internet command in Terminal. This reset the date to American Timezone (time.apple.com). Again, with the same results.

Resetting it back to my own timezone via the date command, to be really sure I inserted the correct date, the installation came back with the first error: "The installation failed, please try it again".

I can't find any other solutions on Google and I really hope you guys can help me out.

NOTE: The error messages were in the Dutch language, so I've tried to translate them as best I can.

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  • When you upgraded to El Cap and subsequently to Sierra,was your OS fully updated meaning were all the appropriate firmware updates applied? See this Apple support article.
    – Allan
    May 20, 2017 at 9:44
  • I'm not quitte sure, but I like to think so as the OS itself told it could be updated to Sierra. The HDD is now completly erased, so I can't really tell either. I'm thinking to do a clean install of El Capitan and than updating it to Sierra. But this would take some effort with the knowing it failed last time which would result being in the same situation..
    – Thjeu
    May 20, 2017 at 9:49
  • That's a good plan of attack. Before doing the Sierra update, make sure you have fully updated it to 10.11.6.
    – Allan
    May 20, 2017 at 9:57
  • A minor question though. The iMac is connected to the internet via a LAN cable and not WiFi. That shouldnt matter, right?
    – Thjeu
    May 20, 2017 at 10:05
  • Not at all. My iMac is primary connected via LAN rather than WiFi and it's network connection (locally) is faster and more stable. As far as internet speed, you won't get more than what your router is providing.
    – Allan
    May 20, 2017 at 10:26

1 Answer 1

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Title: THREE OPTIONS TO HELP IN YOUR CONCERN
+ *FIRST OPTION****...... If you continue to have concerns, noting the previous Stated Advise above, is of good quality....May one suggest going to Recovery Mode ...**First: Shut down the computer NEXT: restart holding the Key Stroke: (Option-Command-R) You will see a box to select you preferred Language (click continue)(FYI: Mandatory: must be connected to the inter-Net via wifi>>> visible in upper top of bar) Next select Disk Utility> Erase the HD Continue by quitting Disk Utility NEXT Select Reinstall OS X (MUST HAVE APPLE ID AND PASSWORD for the Install) Finally When Exiting RECOVERY MODE you will be asked to select a start up Disk (there should be only one selection) Click and continue. Your Computer will shut down then start up in El Capitain. Finally, Please install updates go to Apple.com and install Sierra..... .
+ SECOND OPTION....... OTHER Possible AVENUES TO RESOLVE CONCERNS: You may also go the Apple Support: https://support.apple.com and talk via phone call or Online Chat for clear concise steps with clarifications as needed......
+ THIRD OPTION...... If you feel the above may be TO DIFFICULT OR UNCLEAR, consider going to the Nearest Apple Store, make an appointment for the Genius Bar to help with this concern.... + Good Luck... Authored statements: ysureican Fogarty

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  • Thank you for your comment ysureican. But unfortunatly I've already tried the step you've descriped. The last solution would indeed be bringing it to an Apple store.
    – Thjeu
    May 20, 2017 at 18:45

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