MacBook Pro Update Interrupted

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Just about everyone knows the importance of not interrupting computer updates, but sometimes interruptions can't be helped. A pulled cord, power failure or someone accidentally closing the lid of your MacBook Pro are just a few of the things that can disrupt an update. If you were still downloading the update when it was interrupted, it's likely no real harm was done. If you were in the process of installing the update, recovery mode or Internet recovery mode will almost always get your Mac up and running again in no time.

Interrupted Downloads

If the update was still downloading to your computer when it was interrupted, this should have no effect on your MacBook Pro. It's also easy to recover from -- just resume the update or begin downloading the update again. If you purchased the update from the Apple App Store, you can access the download again without paying a second time. Log into your account and click the "Purchases" icon. Beside the software you should see a "Resume" button. Clicking this resumes your download.

Recovery Mode

If the interrupted update prevents your Mac from starting properly, chances are you will have to put it into recovery mode. To do this, turn off the Mac and start it again while holding down the "Command" and "R" keys simultaneously. Keep holding them until the Apple icon appears on the screen. Instead of your normal desktop, you will see a "Mac OS X Utilities" window and a menu bar at the top of the screen. Connect to a Wi-Fi network using the menu in the upper right corner of the screen. You can then reinstall the operating system.

Internet Recovery Mode

If you can't restart your MacBook Pro using recovery mode and if you bought it with OS X Lion or later already installed, Internet recovery mode should automatically start when you restart your computer. This happens, for example, if the hard drive has been damaged. Just wait a few minutes, and you will be prompted to select your Wi-Fi network and enter your Wi-Fi password if needed. The computer will then connect to Apple's servers over the Internet and begin diagnosing the problem.

Still Not Working?

If recovery mode and Internet recovery mode don't get your MacBook Pro back up and running, you have a more serious problem on your hands. This may be the case if you were installing a firmware update or if a hardware problem was what caused the update to be interrupted in the first place. Take your computer to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider or contact Apple Support directly.