GUIDE :🛠️ macOS Sequoia Installation Fails with Prohibited Sign on Hackintosh

[Hurling7051]

Issue: Can't Start Installer – “StartImage failed - Aborted” + Prohibited Sign​

Hello Hackintoshers,
I'm currently trying to install macOS Sequoia on a system using OpenCore (likely 0.9.9 or newer), and I've run into a show-stopping issue that might need deeper insight from the community.

---

System Specs:​

Component	Details
Motherboard	MSI H110M PRO-VH PLUS (MS-7A15)
Chipset	Intel H110 (Skylake PCH-H)
CPU	Intel Core i3-7100 (Kaby Lake, LGA1151)
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 630 (Kaby Lake GT2)
RAM	8GB DDR4 2400 MT/s
Bootloader	OpenCore (latest)
BIOS	American Megatrends, v1.C0 (UEFI, 06/16/2018)
Super I/O	Nuvoton NCT6793D/NCT5563D

---

Problem Description:​

When I boot from the macOS Sequoia USB installer via OpenCore, it shows up fine in the boot picker. However, selecting the installer results in:

• A black screen
• A prohibited symbol () showing up almost immediately
• A message saying:
  makefile
  CopyEdit
  

  OC: StartImage failed - Aborted

This happens before the Apple logo or loading bar appears — so it's not reaching the macOS bootloader at all.

---

What I’ve Checked So Far:​

• OpenCore Picker works fine.
• USB drive is formatted correctly with Install macOS Sequoia created using gibMacOS + createinstallmedia.
• Reset NVRAM via OpenCore menu.
• Verified SecureBootModel is set to Default or j137.
• Suspect the issue may be:
  • A mismatch in MinKernel/MaxKernel settings for some kexts.
  • iGPU framebuffer misconfiguration for HD 630.
  • Missing/incorrect Vault, SecureBoot, or SIP settings.
  • Incomplete or unsigned installer image (based on the "StartImage failed" hint).

---

Reference Images:​

I’ve attached the boot screen errors as images in case visual inspection helps:

• Prohibited sign appears right after selecting the Sequoia installer.
• "StartImage failed - Aborted" shows briefly.

---

Looking for:​

Anyone who’s:

• Installed Sequoia on Kaby Lake successfully.
• Dealt with the StartImage failed error during boot.
• A working SSDT-SWAC-DISABLE.aml or advice on generating it
• Has a working config.plist or advice for frame buffer patching on HD 630.
• added an EFI file and error video.

---

Thanks in advance for your time! Hoping the community can help me crack this issue and finally get Sequoia running on this build.
— Hackintosh Helper

 

[EliteMacx86]

Issue: Can't Start Installer – “StartImage failed - Aborted” + Prohibited Sign​

Hello Hackintoshers,
I'm currently trying to install macOS Sequoia on a system using OpenCore (likely 0.9.9 or newer), and I've run into a show-stopping issue that might need deeper insight from the community.

---

System Specs:​

Component	Details
Motherboard	MSI H110M PRO-VH PLUS (MS-7A15)
Chipset	Intel H110 (Skylake PCH-H)
CPU	Intel Core i3-7100 (Kaby Lake, LGA1151)
iGPU	Intel HD Graphics 630 (Kaby Lake GT2)
RAM	8GB DDR4 2400 MT/s
Bootloader	OpenCore (latest)
BIOS	American Megatrends, v1.C0 (UEFI, 06/16/2018)
Super I/O	Nuvoton NCT6793D/NCT5563D

---

Problem Description:​

When I boot from the macOS Sequoia USB installer via OpenCore, it shows up fine in the boot picker. However, selecting the installer results in:

• A black screen
• A prohibited symbol () showing up almost immediately
• A message saying:
  makefile
  CopyEdit
  

  OC: StartImage failed - Aborted

This happens before the Apple logo or loading bar appears — so it's not reaching the macOS bootloader at all.

---

What I’ve Checked So Far:​

• OpenCore Picker works fine.
• USB drive is formatted correctly with Install macOS Sequoia created using gibMacOS + createinstallmedia.
• Reset NVRAM via OpenCore menu.
• Verified SecureBootModel is set to Default or j137.
• Suspect the issue may be:
  • A mismatch in MinKernel/MaxKernel settings for some kexts.
  • iGPU framebuffer misconfiguration for HD 630.
  • Missing/incorrect Vault, SecureBoot, or SIP settings.
  • Incomplete or unsigned installer image (based on the "StartImage failed" hint).

---

Reference Images:​

I’ve attached the boot screen errors as images in case visual inspection helps:

• Prohibited sign appears right after selecting the Sequoia installer.
• "StartImage failed - Aborted" shows briefly.

---

Looking for:​

Anyone who’s:

• Installed Sequoia on Kaby Lake successfully.
• Dealt with the StartImage failed error during boot.
• A working SSDT-SWAC-DISABLE.aml or advice on generating it
• Has a working config.plist or advice for frame buffer patching on HD 630.
• added an EFI file and error video.

---

Thanks in advance for your time! Hoping the community can help me crack this issue and finally get Sequoia running on this build.
— Hackintosh Helper

Your EFI is not as per the guide. Here are a few issues:

- Disable EnableWriteUnprotector and Enable RebuildAppleMemoryMap and then check. Also, you shouldn't require FixupAppleEfiImages.
- Kext loading order is not correct. Important kexts should load first. (Lilu, VSMC, WEG, AppleALC).
- You shouldn't require to spoof the CPUID. Remove the Cpuid1Data and Cpuid1Mask.
- Set UpdateSMBIOSMode to Create.

Once you're done with the changes, save your config.plist. Restart the system and reset NVRAM twice. Attach the new PR files.