Trouble installing Big Sur

Hello 6 x 6

Thanks for your reply. Before I download Catalina two questions please, Having downloaded BigSur I have memory used that I could do with getting back, how do I get rid of that download? I was aware that 32-bit applications would be incompatible, but the applications I am using are still in everyday use so I think I should be able to update to the 64-bit format, any advice about that transition? The reason I want to change my OS is because I have several apps that can no longer update whilst I keep using Mojave. Thanks again.

Hello 6 x 6

Right, did like you said and removed BigSur, bookmarked the article about 32-bit apps and downloaded Catalina. I'm hesitant now about proceeding to installation as I've got some other unavoidable commitments and will have to leave the next step until the weekend.

So if it's ok with you, I'd like to leave the topic open until then so I can let you know what happens.

Thanks for all your help thus far.

nebb

Hello 6 x 6

Hello I’m back, Panic over. Sorry about that.

I checked the situation with applications and I had only three 32-bit apps, one was third party and I binned it, the other two were quicklook and inkserver which I imagine will renew as 64-bit with the update.

When I tried to install Catalina, at the step “Select the disk where you want to install macOS”, I got a message “This volume is not formatted as APFS” the volume showing was my MHD.

I was not confident enough to go any further but when I looked in Disk Utility, in the LH column, underneath the heading Disk Images there was a disc icon with “Install ESD” written alongside, I have not seen that there before.

At this point, again your advice would be gratefully received.

nebb

Hello 6 X 6

Thanks for staying with me.

I’ve read the reply from @leroydouglas, complex! The easiest course for me seems:-

{2. Restart the Mac into Recovery Mode. To do that, select Restart from the Apple menu and hold down the Command and “R” keys (often abbreviated as CMD+R) until you see the Apple Logo or a spinning globe. You’ll be dropped into the macOS Utilities.

3. Launch Disk utility. Click-select your named boot volume. (Not the physical drive above it.) In this example, it’s called “John’s-MacBook.”

4. In the Disk Utility Edit menu, select “Convert to APFS.” (It will be dimmed if you didn’t properly select the boot volume.)

I’m preparing to follow the above instructions but being a bit hesitant I would like to check a couple of things please.

Just looking in Disk utility before going in to Recovery Mode, in the LH column I have a heading “Internal” below which is a disc icon with MHD alongside, below that another heading “Disk Images” below which is a disc icon with InstallESD alongside. When in recovery mode I am going to click on MHD, right?

If I click on that now, just to see and before being in recovery mode, convert to APFS in Edit is greyed out but presumably it will not be greyed out when in recovery mode, I hope.

nebb

Hello Limnos,

Thanks for the message, no, full backup done. My degree of worry is the seeming complexity and the many possible pitfalls with this update. I know I need it but I wish I didn't.

Any advice is most welcome

nebb.

Hello 6 X 6

Thank you, your guidance, and patience, has been much appreciated.

nebb