macOS Sierra

Question 1

How would I restore an older Mac’s firmware?

Answer 1

Through a Firmware Restoration CD

Question 2

What would you do if a restoration did not complete on a older Mac?

Answer 2

Restore its firmware through its Firmware Restoration CD

Question 3

What are two ways to change a disc structure?

Answer 3

1. Repartitioning the existing disk.

2. Adding a new disk.

Question 4

What does a “clean Install” refer to?

Answer 4

An erase and install

Question 5

What one thing must I do before any OS install?

Answer 5

I must prepare the disk to accept the new OS installation.

Question 6

What are the 2 requirements that make a disk formatted to accept macOS?

Answer 6

1. Partitioned via GUID Partition Map (GPT) scheme.

2. Contain at least one macOS Extended (Journaled) Formatted volume.

Question 7

What disks are already properly formatted to accept macOS Sierra?

Answer 7

OS X Lion 10.7 and later

Question 8

What would I use to erase and repartition a disk?

Answer 8

Disk Utility

Question 9

What is Mac’s default partition setup?

Answer 9

Single disk formatted with a single large system volume.

Question 10

What benefit does repartitioning a disk have?

Answer 10

Separates a single large volume into several smaller volumes in order to have multiple storage options.

Example: taking one large storage bin and cutting it down to 2 or more for better organization.

Question 11

What is one benefit to having a single disk partition?

Answer 11

Often it is the most affective use of disk space.

Question 12

What are 2 benefits to having multiple partitions?

Answer 12

1) Allows for multiple operating systems on one computer

2) Replacing a damaged OS could potentially be easier

Question 13

Do I need to stay with the computer while it is installing the OS?

Answer 13

No, just choose the target installation destination then leave the computer to do the job.

Question 14

Will the computer shut off during the installation?

Answer 14

Yes, installing the OS will cause the computer to reboot on its own at least one time.

Question 15

What do I do if the power shut off or the disk disconnected?

Answer 15

Simply restart the installation

Question 16

Do I have to choose the installation type of new or update?

Answer 16

No, the installer chooses the appropriate installation type

Question 17

What are upgrade installations

Answer 17

Upgrade installations update the older operating system to new without erase.

Question 18

What is a new installation?

Answer 18

When there is no OS on a disk a new installation will place a new OS on a blank disk.

Question 19

Does the installer ever delete data?

Answer 19

No. The installer never deletes non-system data on the selected destination.

Question 20

What is a special design feature of the macOS installer?

Answer 20

The macOS installer is designed to ensure that third-party applications and user data remain functional after an installation.

Question 21

What are a two installation destination choices for macOS?

Answer 21

1. Current disk that contains macOS

2. Disk without macOS on it

Question 22

Can I upgrade the OS if other computer users are logged in?

Answer 22

No.

Question 23

What are two ways to log another user out of my computer?

Answer 23

1. Have them log out

2. Force restart the computer

Question 24

What are 2 things I must do in order to perform a erase/install successfully?

Answer 24

1. Manually erase the destination system disk using Disk Utility.
2. Run macOS installer

Question 25

How do I erase the system disk my Mac is currently running from?

Answer 25

Start up from another system.

Question 26

What one decision do you have to make when installing macOS Sierra?

Answer 26

One must decide the disk volume where macOS will be installed.

Question 27

Can I choose an external disk to install macOS?

Answer 27

Yes. macOS can be installed on either an internal or external disk as long as it is properly formatted.

Question 28

Is there a default disk that macOS will choose?

Answer 28

Yes. The default selection will be the current startup disk

Question 29

How do I choose a different disk to install macOS?

Answer 29

Click the "Show All Disks" button to choose an alternate | destination.

Question 30

Why are some disks/partitions greyed out?

Answer 30

The macOS installer has determined that the Mac cannot start from that location.

Question 31

What are 3 possible reasons disks/partitions are not able to operate macOS?

Answer 31

1. Disk does not use the proper partition scheme for your Mac. 2. Not formatted properly. 3. Disk contains a Time Machine backup.

Question 32

What partition scheme do Intel Mac computers use?

Answer 32

GPT scheme

Question 33

What can I do if my disk is not properly partitioned with the GPT scheme?

Answer 33

Repartitioning the disk using Disk Utility.

Question 34

What partition format does macOS require?

Answer 34

macOS Extended (Journaled) volume

Question 35

How do I fix a partition that is not formatted properly with macOS Extended (Journaled) volume?

Answer 35

Erase the partition using Disk Utility.

Question 36

What article would I reference if I can't install OS X on a Time Machine backup disk?

Answer 36

HT203322

Question 37

Can a previous OS version be put back onto my computer?

Answer 37

Yes. macOS installer has the | ability to “back out” of an installation and restore the previous system.

Question 38

What are 3 common macOS installation failures?

Answer 38

1. inability to verify the selected disk or partition 2. some features of macOS are not supported on the selected disk 3. installer does not let you select a properly formatted/partitioned disk

Question 39

What is a sign of serious disk problems?

Answer 39

Inability of the macOS installer to verify it.

Question 40

Why did I get an error message that some of the macOS features are not supported on the selected disk?

Answer 40

2 possible reasons: 1. System disk is a software RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) set. 2. It uses non-standard Boot Camp partitioning.

Question 41

What if I install macOS Sierra to a disk that some features are not supported on?

Answer 41

The installer cannot create a macOS Recovery HD, but you can still install macOS Sierra.

Question 42

What is a macOS Recovery HD?

Answer 42

When macOS is installed on a computer there is a hidden partition that stores "Recovery HD."

Question 43

Why d I have a macOS Recovery HD partition on my disk?

Answer 43

So you have a copy of an OSX Install Disc on your computer.

Question 44

How do I start my computer from the Recovery HD partition?

Answer 44

2 Ways: 1. Start your Mac while holding down Command + R 2. Start your Mac while holding down Alt/Option

Question 45

What does holding Command + R do when starting my Mac?

Answer 45

It will restart you computer from the Recovery HD associated with the last OSX volume you were running .

Question 46

What does holding down Alt/Options do when starting my Mac?

Answer 46

Bring up the Startup Manager

Question 47

What is the purpose of the "Startup Manager?"

Answer 47

Shows all possible startup volumes