Unable to boot from external media

So you can't boot from the internal drive either, right?

Try this:

• Reset PRAM (just in case): shutdown, power ON and when the Mac chimes start pressing Command-Option-P-R keys until the Mac chimes 1-4 times or boots to the end (depending on the Mac model), then shutdown.
• Start in Internet Recovery: Reboot the router (just in case). Shutdown, power ON and when the Mac chimes start pressing Option-Command-R until you see the spinning globe, if prompted login to Wi-Fi, wait for it to finish (depending on your Internet speed might take 10-60 minutes. In my setup for some reason Ethernet does NOT work for this so if that happens disconnect it, and try again via Wi-Fi). When you reach macOS installer screen, you might (just in case) first switch to Disk Utility > View > Show All Devices and erase the topmost internal or external device (not any volume under it as APFS, GUID, case insensitive, with the desired name), then switch to macOS installer and install to the freshly formatted device.

If Internet Recovery lands on High Sierra, use this workaround #3:

https://mrmacintosh.com/how-to-fix-the-recovery-server-could-not-be-contacted-error-high-sierra-recovery-is-still-online-but-broken/

Some older Macs by default do not have startup chime so after shutdown and cold boot start pressing aforementioned keys right away.

filosad19 wrote:

That is correct, I am unable to boot from the internal disk.

1. I ran Diagnostics Option+D, it reported back with no error and a Reference Code: ADP000.

2. I confirmed that the Reference Code: ADP000 meant that there is no hardware issue.

A passing diagnostic result is meaningless here. The hardware could have a fault which the diagnostic did not detect. The Apple Diagnostics today are a huge joke....they are basically taking a roll call to make sure that certain hardware is seen & identifying itself properly. There is very little actual testing these days. Only a diagnostic error result is useful here.

3. I noticed now that when booting the MBP, the Apple logo appears as usual but chimes.

Hold the special startup keys immediately after hearing the startup chime. I have found some Macs may ignore or even stall if the keys are pressed too soon. Of course pressing the keys too late means they are ignored (keys need to be pressed within one second or less after the startup chime). Some Macs may be fine holding those keys before the chime, but it is best to wait for the chime.

4. Formatted the internal diskk with a GUID journaled partition.

5. Attempted to install macOS Monterey (from the disk utility screen)

6. After reboot screen displays support.apple.com/mac/support

You need to erase the physical drive as GUID partition and APFS (top option) for macOS Monterey (perhaps even Big Sur). The Monterey installer will not automatically convert the file system like the older macOS installers did. In fact the Monterey (Big Sur?) installer would be happy to copy the installer files to an HFS+ volume, then error out later on (at least this happened with the early Monterey (or maybe it was Big Sur) installer.

A MacOS Extended (Journaled) volume (aka HFS+) is only needed for macOS 10.12 Sierra and earlier. macOS 10.13+ can & should be erased with APFS (top option).

Within Disk Utility (macOS 10.13+) you will need to click "View" and select "Show All Devices" before the physical drives appear on the left pane of Disk Utility. Select the physical drive (usually the top most item labeled something like "Apple SSD AP512xxxxx.....").

filosad19 wrote:

1. I have a MBP 2016 which I am unable to boot from any external usb-c media.

Why were you trying to do this in the first place? That reason could also be why you are encountering issues now.

3. Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system.

In all instances, I am forced to provide creds for the wifi even thou my MBP has a hardwire connection.

Are you certain that was for the WiFi and not just to authenticate with your macOS user account on the internal SSD (especially if FileVault is enabled while booting to the macOS 12.x+ installer.

Also, I was able to format the internal storage and using APFS (unencrypted), Mac OS Extended (Journaled), with a GUID partition map.

Sounds like you were able to boot to external media (either USB, or Recovery Mode, or Internet Recovery Mode) otherwise you cannot erase your boot volume.

So what happens when you try to select the "Reinstall macOS" option? When installing macOS 11+ you need to have the destination drive formatted as GUID partition and APFS (top option) since the later installers won't automatically convert the HFS+ file system to APFS.

If you were booted to the online High Sierra installer, then you will likely need to use Fix#3 as mentioned by @Matti Haveri since Apple has not been maintaining their online installers these last few years.

All I need to do is to install the macOS, all attempts have failed. I refuse to purchase a new MBP when all I need to do is to install a valid macOS. Either macOS High Sierra 10.13 or macOS Monterey 12 which is the latest that my MBP can support.

Why you needed to reinstall in the first place is the main question in case it is also affecting your ability to reinstall macOS.

In order to create a bootable macOS USB installer, you will need access to another qualifying Mac that is compatible with macOS 10.13 - macOS 11.x. Here are the general models needed for each (the other qualifying Mac can currently be running any version of macOS 10.6+):

• • macOS 11.x -- model 2015 to mid-2022
  • macOS 10.15 -- model 2012 to mid-2020
  • macOS 10.13 -- model Late-2009 to 2018

What is the exact model of your laptop? You can get this information by using the Apple check coverage page here:

View Coverage - AppleCare & Warranty

With the 2016-2019 USB-C laptops, it is possible the built-in keyboard could have defective keys which was a huge problem due to the butterfly keyboards they used. Except for the SMC Reset, you may want to try using a wired USB keyboard to access any special startup modes & PRAM Resets.

"Unable to boot from external media: I have a MBP 2016 which I am unable to boot from any external usb-c media. [...]Also, I was able to format the internal storage and using APFS (unencrypted), Mac OS Extended (Journaled), with a GUID partition map. Attempted to call Apple Support only to be told that my MBP is too old and need to purchase a more up to date version, I disagree."

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Use First Aid:

Boot into Recovery Mode on your Mac (hold Down: [command + R] upon boot).. While in Recovery Mode, go into Disk Utility > select the volume of the hard drive, and then click and run First Aid.

That is correct, I am unable to boot from the internal disk.

1. I ran Diagnostics Option+D, it reported back with no error and a Reference Code: ADP000.

2. I confirmed that the Reference Code: ADP000 meant that there is no hardware issue.

3. I noticed now that when booting the MBP, the Apple logo appears as usual but chimes.

4. Formatted the internal diskk with a GUID journaled partition.

5. Attempted to install macOS Monterey (from the disk utility screen)

6. After reboot screen displays support.apple.com/mac/support

That is correct, I am unable to boot from the internal disk.

1. I ran Diagnostics Option+D, it reported back with no error and a Reference Code: ADP000.

2. I confirmed that the Reference Code: ADP000 meant that there is no hardware issue.

3. I noticed now that when booting the MBP, the Apple logo appears as usual but chimes.

4. Formatted the internal diskk with a GUID journaled partition.

5. Attempted to install macOS Monterey (from the disk utility screen)

6. After reboot screen displays support.apple.com/mac/support

That is correct, I am unable to boot from the internal disk.

1. I ran Diagnostics Option+D, it reported back with no error and a Reference Code: ADP000.

2. I confirmed that the Reference Code: ADP000 meant that there is no hardware issue.

3. I noticed now that when booting the MBP, the Apple logo appears as usual but chimes.

4. Formatted the internal diskk with a GUID journaled partition.

5. Attempted to install macOS Monterey (from the disk utility screen)

6. After reboot screen displays support.apple.com/mac/support

FYI, the OP opened another thread here:

MBP 2016, unable to use the Option (ALT) … - Apple Community