Model MacBook Pro 2010 6,2
OS X version Yosemite 10.10.3
I used createinstallmedia to format and create an install USB stick. This step went fine. Command used was:
/Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/HP-8 --applicationpath "/Applications/Install OS X Yosemite.app"
(One comment was that I need to do this as sudo. The line before was 'sudo bash' so I end up with a root shell.)
Note that if you backslash the spaces inside the quotes it doesn't work. Basic shell stuff, but I'm rusty it took me a bit to figure it out as the message talks about "not a valid installation package." Unhelpful…
When I attempted to boot it, it starts up, I can select the USB stick. When it boots I get the apple logo. The progress bar gets a little over 1/4 of the way, then the screen goes to a grey barred circle ("No") and nothing more happens.
Edit: Booting verbosely the boot fails with [SearchForTransportEventTimeOutHandler] — Missing Bluetooth Controller Transport!
Searches for this message find mostly forum posts related to hackintoshes.
The copy of installer is one that I've used on several macs, but before I've always been doing upgrades, not install from scratch. (I suspect malware on this one, so I want to zero out the disk before reinstalling.
Note also that this mac has a superdrive. I've vague recollections of a firmware 'feature' that prevented booting an installer off of a memory stick.
Best Answer
Tested the USB stick with 3 other laptops, all of which had superdrives. Same failure mode.
Tried a second image on a new stick.
Rebooted the mac with the jump drive not plugged in. Got a grey folder with a question mark -- I think that's 'no system folder'
On a whim plugged the new stick in.
Booted off of this stick just fine. I am now in the process of doing a 3 pass secure erase of the hard drive. Odd results in Disk Utility. Claims that this disk has 19 folders, 59 files, and that 630 MB are in use.
I will add to this answer as I find more information.