Troubleshooting macOS Installation: Unable to Use Internal SSD as Boot Drive - A Guide for Clover and OpenCore

Guide:

If you're encountering difficulties installing macOS on your laptop's internal SSD, and you're seeing the message "the disk cannot be used to start up your computer," follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. This guide covers both Clover and OpenCore boot loaders.

Step 1: Disk Formatting and Partitioning

1. Using TransMac in Windows:

   • Format the SSD to a compatible macOS file system (APFS or HFS+).
   • Create a macOS installation disk on a USB drive using TransMac.

2. Clover Boot Loader:

   • Ensure that the Clover bootloader is configured correctly for your laptop.
   • Check that the necessary drivers and kexts are included in the EFI partition.

3. OpenCore Boot Loader:

   • Confirm that your OpenCore configuration (config.plist) is set up appropriately for your hardware.
   • Verify that essential drivers and kexts are present in the EFI partition.

Step 2: Booting from Installation Disk

1. Clover Boot Loader:

   • Boot from the USB drive with the Clover bootloader.
   • Select the macOS installer from the Clover menu.
   • Attempt the installation on your SSD.

2. OpenCore Boot Loader:

   • Boot from the USB drive with the OpenCore bootloader.
   • Choose the macOS installer entry from the OpenCore menu.
   • Start the installation process on your SSD.

Step 3: Resolving Installation Stalls

1. Common Installation Issues:
   • If you encounter stalls during installation, check the verbose output for error messages.
   • Address any issues related to incompatible drivers, kexts, or hardware.

Step 4: Post-Installation Setup

1. Clover or OpenCore Configuration:
   • After Success ful installation, configure your bootloader settings.
   • Ensure that your SSD is selected as the default boot device.

Step 5: Finalizing and Troubleshooting

1. Disk Utility:

   • Once in macOS, open Disk Utility to confirm the SSD's format and partition scheme.
   • Make adjustments if necessary.

2. Troubleshooting Further:

   • If issues persist, refer to online forums and communities for specific laptop models.
   • Check for updated versions of Clover or OpenCore that may provide better compatibility.

By following these steps, you should be able to overcome the challenges associated with installing macOS on your internal SSD using either Clover or OpenCore.