Chosen Solution
Hi, Attempted to install OS Sierra, installation hung at grey screen. Rebooted to kernel panic and boot loop eventually ending with ø (Circle with line through). Won’t boot into safe mode. Can boot into recovery mode, but can’t see anything other than the recovery partition in disk utility. Made a USB bootable installer, booted from that, but again, could only see the recovery partition. Can’t use backup or install sierra again because there is nowhere to install it. Tried in terminal: diskutil unmountdisk was successful, but diskutil mountdisk came back “One or volume (s) failed to mount” Took the computer in to a service centre locally for diagnostic and tech said the SSD has failed. Does this sound like a reasonable diagnosis? Just wanted to check here before shelling out close to half the value of the laptop new for a replacement SSD. Thanks!
Put the machine into Target Mode with another Mac. Reformat the SSD. (Since it can see the repair partition on the old SSD, this tells me the stick has not failed). Now you can do either an internet installation or install from the downloaded system on the master Mac. It will need to be 10.9 or better.
Hi, Yes, if it is not coming up in disk utilities, it does sound like the SSD has failed unfortunately. Very strange to happen on install, but it is not unheard of (Macbook Air SSDs are the most common to fail). This is a very easy repair though (remove bottom cover, disconnect battery, remove SSD and put new one in), so I would recommend doing it yourself, since the SSDs are expensive. Once installed, you just need to format it correctly in disk utilities, then you will be able to install the OS.
Hi. Unfortunately I am afraid it sounds like the SSD has failed. Apple has a great repair depot option in the united states. You play a flat rate but they give you any parts required such as SSD and logic board for around $300. Maybe even free. My .02
