Resolving Installation Hang on Mac Pro 2013 (Trash Can) with OCLP 2.1.2

If you're encountering consistent installation errors across different macOS versions and media using OCLP 2.1.2 on your Mac Pro 2013, here’s how to diagnose and resolve the issue.

Understanding the Issue

The error "An error occurred while preparing the installation" suggests that the issue may not be tied to the media or macOS version itself but rather:

1. Compatibility with OCLP 2.1.2.
2. Pre-existing conditions on your system, such as firmware mismatches or residual data from the previous setups.
3. Corruption in the installer or EFI configuration.

Steps to Resolve

1. Verify the macOS Installers

• Re-download the macOS installers to ensure they are complete and not corrupted:

  bash
  Copy code
  softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version <version>
  

  Replace <version> with the version you’re trying to install (e.g., 14.0 for Sonoma).
• Use the createinstallmedia command to recreate the bootable USB or SSD installer:

  bash
  Copy code
  sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ <Name>.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/YourMedia
  

2. Recreate OCLP USB Installer

• Delete the current EFI partition and rebuild it using OCLP 2.1.2:
  1. Format your USB or SSD media to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with a GUID Partition Map.
  2. Use OCLP 2.1.2 to create a new patched installer.
  3. Double-check OCLP’s settings:
     • Ensure MacPro6,1 patches are correctly applied.
     • Disable legacy settings if unnecessary for macOS Ventura or Sonoma.

3. Reset NVRAM and SMC

Residual settings can cause installation conflicts. Perform these resets:

• Reset NVRAM:
  1. Shut down the Mac.
  2. Power it on and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R until the startup sound plays twice.
• Reset SMC:
  • Shut down the Mac.
  • Disconnect the power cord for 15 seconds.
  • Reconnect the power cord and wait 5 seconds before turning it on.

4. Ensure Firmware Compatibility

• Confirm that your firmware is up-to-date for macOS Ventura/Sonoma:
  1. Boot using the original 500GB Apple SSD.
  2. Install macOS Ventura from the App Store (if not already updated).
  3. Check for firmware updates during installation.

5. Try an Earlier OCLP Version

• Downgrade to OCLP 2.0.2 (which was stable for your system before) and recreate the installer. Sometimes newer OCLP versions may introduce regressions for certain hardware configurations.

6. Perform a Clean Install

• Erase Target Drive:
  1. Boot into the installer and open Disk Utility.
  2. Erase the target drive, formatting it as APFS.
  • Ensure GUID Partition Map is selected.
• Install macOS: Follow the standard installation steps using your freshly created installer.

7. Boot in Verbose Mode

• Add the -v boot flag to OCLP to see detailed logs of what’s happening during the installation process. This can help pinpoint the root cause of the error.

8. Test with Different Drives

• Since you’ve already tried multiple drives, confirm that the issue isn’t tied to the specific Apple SSD firmware or controller by testing with:
  • A third-party NVMe SSD.
  • A SATA SSD (if using an adapter).

Additional Troubleshooting

• Inspect Installer Logs: If the installation hangs, press Command + L during the error screen to view installation logs. Look for specific errors that might indicate hardware or software issues.
• Disable SIP: Boot into recovery mode and disable System Integrity Protection (SIP) using:

  bash
  Copy code
  csrutil disable
  

  Re-enable it after installation if necessary.

Conclusion

By re-verifying your OCLP configuration, firmware, and installers, you should be able to resolve the issue. If the problem persists, it may be worth exploring potential hardware issues with the 2013 Mac Pro’s SSD interface or compatibility quirks with OCLP 2.1.2.

Let me know if you need detailed guidance on any of these steps!