Can't install Catalina in VMware Fusion

[skirsten]

I  have used macOS Catalina Patcher to create a Catalina ISO file.

Now I created a new VM in VMWare Fusion 11.5 and attached this ISO file.

After starting the VM, I see the message : "-> EFI VMware Virtual SATA CDROM Drive(1.0)... No Media"

Any hints ?

[scott28tt]

This thread may help: Re: macOS Catalina VMs do not run in VMware Fusion 11.1.0

[dariusd]

I am curious why you are using Catalina Patcher... as far as I am aware, it should not be necessary or useful in a VM.

The easiest way of creating a new Catalina VM – using Fusion 11.5 or newer – is simply to go into Fusion and choose File > New... and then drag your copy of Install macOS Catalina.app onto the resulting window.  Does that work if you try it there?

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Darius

[skirsten]

Sounds easy - but it seems to be impossible to just download the "Install macOS Catalina.app".

When I open the Apple Store App, I have only a "Load" button. When I press Load the Systems checks

that I have already Catalina running - that's all - finished. No way to just "download".

[skirsten]

Hi scott28tt,

thanks for answer.

But the other thread talks about another issue, the VM starts up and the kernel panics.

My issue is earlier. VM does not accept the attached ISO file - for the first boot.

So we talk about two different problems.

Thanks

[dariusd]

Do you have any older version of macOS available?  I use a VM running an older macOS release when I want to download the .app for a newer release.  If I don't have an older VM handy, I use one of my stash of installers to build a new VM – still using one of those older versions of macOS – just for that purpose, then throw the VM away when I've downloaded the new .app and copied it out to my host.

--

Darius