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So, on my 2022 m1 max Macbook pro I was having an issue viewing one of my websites after an IP change on my server. I was advised to delete my DNS cache through terminal, I did so, then I then did a reboot. After much black screen I ended up in Recovery mode with a message saying something along the lines of "Due to a problem you need to reinstall Mac OS Monterey" I have tried doing that 4 times now, it takes forever and eventually says "there was an error installing the software" or similar (sorry I know I should take note of the exact messages!)

I believe that the solution is to wipe the disk and do a fresh install? Which is what I plan to do, however, before doing that, it appears that my last backup was one week before the problem so I would like to try and recover some files I have been working on this past week, before wiping the disk

here is what I have tried so far:

Putting the M1 MacBook in share disk mode connected to a 2019 Macbook pro running Catalina. The M1 Macbook appears in the network tab but I'm in Guest mode and no files are visible just a folder with 3 stick figures on it titled Macintosh HD. I have tried doing "Connect as" using the user/password for both accounts on the M1 Macbook but it seems to ignore my requests...

Question is: is there a way to get around this? Can I access the files in some other way? I would be most grateful for any suggestions thanks! Peter

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  • re the first part it is irrelevant to the question and also I would query how you are connecting to the internet as being the issue. If the connection worked then the original propblem would not be there and I suspect the recovery boot would also work.
    – mmmmmm
    Commented Jul 30, 2022 at 14:15
  • I can't see how clearing a DNS cache causes the OS to need reinstalling.
    – benwiggy
    Commented Jul 30, 2022 at 21:09

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Ok, so thanks for the input just in case anyone else is interested - here is how I resolved this issue:

booted into recovery mode (Press and hold the power button on your Mac until you see “Loading startup options.”)

Chose options & continue opened the terminal app (choose Utilities > Terminal.)

then used the unix cp command to copy my home folders for all users to an external disk

Once i had saved all the data I wished to keep I then attempted to do a clean install of Monterey from within recovery mode - this still didn’t work

Finally after searching for answers I discovered the Apple configurator app

after several attempts got my MacBook in DFU mode and reinstalled the firmware and osx (thank you MrMacintosh https://mrmacintosh.com/restore-macos-firmware-on-an-apple-silicon-mac-boot-to-dfu-mode/)

After that I could boot the macbook and import my user accounts using migration manager

I still don't know what caused the issue in the first place but I think it seems that by far the best way to reinstall mac os on a silicon mac is with DFU mode and the apple configurator app - not from within recovery mode

all back up and running, on to the next problem, where to start?😅

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  • Glad you got this sorted. Are you looking for a thread on how to do an erase install on this hardware? support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/…
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Aug 17, 2022 at 14:54
  • thanks for the link bmike, I'm all set 👍
    – Peter
    Commented Aug 18, 2022 at 15:03

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