Cannot install OS

I deleted internet, deleted Ventura on my 2017 Mac Pro but now it won’t let me reinstall software. I reset nvram and sma and tried command R but it wanted to install high sierra then cannot find server. Please help I made a mistake.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Aug 18, 2023 4:52 PM

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Posted on Aug 18, 2023 6:16 PM

"the recovery server could not be contacted”

Most likely that error is due to an expired certificate from the macOS installer. Try changing the system date & time to Jan. 2, 2017 @ 11:33am by using the Terminal app launched from the Utilities menu on the menubar:

  • date  -u  0102113317


Then try recovery mode again.


If this still fails, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support directly for further assistance with this matter. To do so, simply select the "Support" link on the lower left-hand side of this forum's web page.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 18, 2023 6:16 PM in response to Markyb3777

"the recovery server could not be contacted”

Most likely that error is due to an expired certificate from the macOS installer. Try changing the system date & time to Jan. 2, 2017 @ 11:33am by using the Terminal app launched from the Utilities menu on the menubar:

  • date  -u  0102113317


Then try recovery mode again.


If this still fails, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support directly for further assistance with this matter. To do so, simply select the "Support" link on the lower left-hand side of this forum's web page.

Aug 18, 2023 5:28 PM in response to Markyb3777

Regardless on how you attempt to re-install macOS, your Mac will, at some point in the process, require access to the Internet to download the operating system from the Apple servers.


So, let's try again.


  1. Boot up your laptop in Recovery Mode <ctrl><R>.
  2. Choose the Disk Utility, and then, erase the laptop's disk.
  3. Once completed, do not restart the Mac. Instead choose the option to Reinstall macOS.


These steps are covered in that article. Please post back your results, especially the last step. Did you see any error messages? If so, what were they?

Aug 18, 2023 5:19 PM in response to Tesserax

Hi Tesserax

it’s a laptop 2017

I bought a new one and the sale for this one ends today

someone is going to buy it so I decided to resinstall fresh Ventura

however I thought it reinstalled from laptop memory not internet

I removed all personal details before it like remembering my internet network details

now I realise I made a mistake

I started Disk Utility and deleted Ventura and tried to reinstall new one but it told me I needed internet access

i have tried everything and it doesn’t reinstall even an older High Sierra version (which was the only option) as it gave the error “cannot locate server” even though it’s recovered internet use.

Thanks for your time…


Aug 18, 2023 5:38 PM in response to Markyb3777

First thank you for your time Tesserax.

i appreciate it.

I started up Command R and it asked for internet details. I put in details and clicked recover internet. It loaded an older version of Recovery mode (H Sierra not Ventura). I clicked Disk Utility and it allowed me to delete the laptops disk. I then clicked cancel ** and it took me back to recover and selected install new OS. It waited a few minutes then said “the recovery server could not be contacted” despite being connected to internet.

It is posting photos upside down sorry

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Cannot install OS

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