OCLP Installer Drive Boot Fails > at “Install Sonoma”, then goes to macOS recovery (MacBook 9’2)

OCLP Installer Drive Boot Fails > at “Install Sonoma”, then goes to macOS recovery (MacBook 9’2)

I click "Install Sonoma" and then the loading bar starts.. but before it gets 1/5th the way through, the screen flashes, and goes to 'macOS Recovery" screen! I've been trying to fix this for weeks now... but I obviously need help!

Goal: Trying to install Sonoma on a MBP 2012. But the USB drive installers being built fail to startup now! (I’ve had Success with older versions of OCLP and building installers for 2013” MBP and a 2012 MBA). I’ve been trying to solve this problem for approx. 3 weeks now to avoid wasting your time in case it was something stupid I’ve missed (which has happened in the past, thank you for helping me!)

Scenario:

  • On Startup > holding down “Option” key, EFI shows nice :)

https://preview.redd.it/r4cgkljs6wbf1.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=44d6403931c52a3b578246dfa8ae7f6a15e1fcbd

https://preview.redd.it/lua9ybrt6wbf1.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e81fd5b71527b17244850e9e569900593a4fc95

  • Startup bar goes about 1/5 across screen, then cuts out – jumps to ‘Language’ for the macOS recovery screen!

https://preview.redd.it/ehtyxsr86wbf1.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e5169d97680c954b3c3e2801b26b890109c9e36

  • Recovery screen (only disks, no option to Install)! :(

https://preview.redd.it/mmaju1vx6wbf1.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=86ec5dfbdaaa446fdc1631e651bfb1e81e817845

Background (and things I’ve tried)

  • I reset the PRAM / NVRAM almost every time
  • I’ve held down ‘shift’ key for safe boot – when I do, it simply stops and completely hangs at the 1/5 loading bar, and doesn’t even go to the mac
  • I’ve redownloaded the latest OCLP (2.4.0) app, macOS installers and reformatted and rebuilt my USB installers about 12 times now.. no change! (and the installers also wont work on the other Macs, either)
  • I’ve tried two different 64GB SD-cards as ‘drives’, and reformatted fully each timeI’ve tried two different SD-to-USB adapters for this, still same result
  • Downloaded the latest version OCLP (2.4.0)
  • Downloaded Sonoma 14.7.4 (aim to keep consistent across 3 computers)
  • Reformatted as ‘Journaled, GUID’ – then ‘Created macOS Installer” Success fully, then added the EFI patch to the installer drive
  • Built OCLP Success fully each time.
  • I’ve done OCLP with Success on other computers, so it’s odd that these installers won’t build properly anymore
  • It’s not just this MBP – I’ve tried these new boot installers on the 2013” MBP and 2012” MBA (which have Sonoma Success fully installed with OCLP) – but this new variant of the OCLP wont boot the installers there either! Is it a bug?
  • Note: I have had had Success in the recent past, so I don’t think it’s me – I a 2012 MBA and a 2013 MBP 15” already running OCLP Sonoma already, however when building an installer for a 2012 MBP 13”, whenever I build a new USB installer, the initial boot off the installer startup USB fails, and the computer kicks over to macOS Recovery.

Notes:

Mr. Macintosh Directions I’ve followed to download, install and create the installer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGR2qGw9lG8

Official Directions I’ve followed to created the installer:
https://Dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/INSTALLER.html#downloading-the-installer

Sonoma Installer Used: 14.7.4, build 23H420
(source: https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sonoma-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/ )

Help:

Other Reddit threads I’ve read through and used as clues to ‘fix’ an issue if it’s me:

Recovery Boot Loop:
https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenCoreLegacyPatcher/comments/1hoxg2h/recovery_reboot_loop/

MPB2014 keeps booting to recovery mode on Sequoia installation
https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenCoreLegacyPatcher/comments/1gsyzg9/mpb2014_keeps_booting_to_recovery_mode_on_sequoia/

Mac stuck on recovery menu (I can’t even get to this screen to see the ‘Install Sonoma’ option, sadly)
https://www.reddit.com/r/OpenCoreLegacyPatcher/comments/1l00wvj/mac_stuck_on_recovery_menu/

Author: @01011010401