SOLVED TOSHIBA Dynabook Cannot install any OS newer than Catalina.

[EliteMacx86]

I did exactly as you said and it did progress beyond that error. I think that it made a difference. However, I did observe something weird with the logs this time. It immediately crashed my system and froze the screen to this. Please advise.

The extraction was successful. If it crashed or froze, restart and at OC, attach a picture.

 

[takoriin]

Doing it right now. Here’s the photo.

Seems that my OpenCore isn’t detecting any OS from the drive’s side and it’s only the USB installer that it’s detecting. I made sure to check that the ScanPolicy is set to 0. Please advise.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Doing it right now. Here’s the photo.

Seems that my OpenCore isn’t detecting any OS from the drive’s side and it’s only the USB installer that it’s detecting. I made sure to check that the ScanPolicy is set to 0. Please advise.

Seems like the installation was not completed successfully. Enable DisableSecurityPolicy in UEFI and then check with a fresh/clean install.

If the problem persists, its nothing but the SSD again probably. If not, it could be the NVRAM then for these new OSes. Since Big Sur, the installation heavily rely on the NVRAM. There are workarounds

BTW, did you updated the firmware of the new SSD i.e. SN740?

 

[takoriin]

Seems like the installation was not completed successfully. Enable DisableSecurityPolicy in UEFI and then check with a fresh/clean install.

If the problem persists, its nothing but the SSD again probably. If not, it could be the NVRAM then for these new OSes. Since Big Sur, the installation heavily rely on the NVRAM. There are workarounds

BTW, did you updated the firmware of the new SSD i.e. SN740?

Sure, I’ll do that right away. I’ll also update the firmware as well for good measure. I just used it straight out of the box after all.

Mind if I ask where I can find the resources for the NVRAM workarounds so that I can also do that if the problem still persists even after the firmware update/disabling security policy?

Thank you for being patient with me on this one. I appreciate it.

 

[takoriin]

Hi. Already updated the config with DisableSecurityPolicy and did a fresh/clean install. The same problem still persist.

I checked the drive in WD Dashboard and it has an updated firmware version (7311) from the get-go.

Well, I think you’re right about this being a potential NVRAM issue. How do we go from here? I tried checking here and in Dortania’s guide but it seems to be a post-install procedure more than a pre-install troubleshooting guide. Am I looking at the right place?

I tried checking for my laptop’s NVRAM by booting from the Chinese drive’s Catalina externally. I did the myvar test and it returned the same value that I fed it before I restarted. Looks like I have a working NVRAM but I’m not sure if this is enough for Big Sur and beyond.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Sure, I’ll do that right away. I’ll also update the firmware as well for good measure. I just used it straight out of the box after all.

Sounds good!

One should always update it to the latest available firmware. You can use WD Dashboard for that.

Mind if I ask where I can find the resources for the NVRAM workarounds so that I can also do that if the problem still persists even after the firmware update/disabling security policy?

Unfortunately, its not documented but will assist.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Hi. Already updated the config with DisableSecurityPolicy and did a fresh/clean install. The same problem still persist.

I checked the drive in WD Dashboard and it has an updated firmware version (7311) from the get-go.

Well, I think you’re right about this being a potential NVRAM issue. How do we go from here? I tried checking here and in Dortania’s guide but it seems to be a post-install procedure more than a pre-install troubleshooting guide. Am I looking at the right place?

I tried checking for my laptop’s NVRAM by booting from the Chinese drive’s Catalina externally. I did the myvar test and it returned the same value that I fed it before I restarted. Looks like I have a working NVRAM but I’m not sure if this is enough for Big Sur and beyond.

Do the following first.

Remove SN740 and backup the data from Micron 2450 to this new disk.

Use Micron 2450 for a clean install. Remember, SecureBootModel and DisableSecurityPolicy must remain disabled. Use Sonoma and make sure to erase the whole disk. Check if it works. Do not Reset NVRAM during the installation stage.

If it fails, then will jump to the NVRAM thingy

Also, what kind of network are you using to connect to internet on this Laptop? Does the Laptop has Ethernet port?

 

[takoriin]

Do the following first.

Remove SN740 and backup the data from Micron 2450 to this new disk.

Use Micron 2450 for a clean install. Remember, SecureBootModel and DisableSecurityPolicy must remain disabled. Use Sonoma and make sure to erase the whole disk. Check if it works. Do not Reset NVRAM during the installation stage.

If it fails, then will jump to the NVRAM thingy

Also, what kind of network are you using to connect to internet on this Laptop? Does the Laptop has Ethernet port?

Hi, I did try the 2450 earlier before I gave it up for the day, but unfortunately it’s the same story. I’ve been using Ethernet for this since I started.

Another thing, when I tried doing emulated NVRAM with it in Catalina in hopes that it might do the trick, my OpenCore will just get stuck on loading OpenVariableDxeRuntime.efi then it will restart without even generating a log, nor managing to load the driver at all. I’m not sure if I did it right though.

 

[EliteMacx86]

Hi, I did try the 2450 earlier before I gave it up for the day, but unfortunately it’s the same story. I’ve been using Ethernet for this since I started

Dang shit.

Seems like its time to do a partial NVRAM fix for the installation.

What OC version are you using?

 

[takoriin]

Dang shit.

Seems like its time to do a partial NVRAM fix for the installation.

What OC version are you using?

It’s OpenCore 1.0.1. I’m using the debug version as instructed in the tutorials.

How do we proceed from here?