I can't agree to terms and conditions when installing the OS

I bought a new-to-me 2012 Mac mini. The seller did a fresh install of OS X (Catalina). I could not click agree on terms and conditions. The agree button is grayed out. I bought this with the intention of upgrading to 2 SSDs. I got that done today and downloaded by the recovery method a fresh copy of the original OS X from Apple - Mavericks - to be upgraded later. I still can't agree to terms and conditions. The agree button is grayed out. I've clicked on everything I can find to click on. I've gone back and re-entered my Apple ID several times with no luck. Is there something wrong with the motherboard?

Mac mini

Posted on Dec 21, 2023 7:11 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 23, 2023 7:42 PM

You may need to scroll down in the agreement and check the box at the bottom to activate the agree button.

12 replies

Dec 21, 2023 7:24 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds

Sounds like maybe the seller did not fully completed the requirements before selling the Mac mini to you.


If possible contact the seller and check to make sure that the Mac mini is deauthorized from their Apple ID and then follow the Erase and Reinstall steps in the following support article.


see > What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Dec 22, 2023 7:28 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds

I haven't tried that, but I don't see any reason why that same year model wouldn't boot from the external drive.

To try that, connect the external startup disk and startup the Mac mini holding the Option (Alt) key.


I also recommend that you install the latest macOS version which is Catalina using Option-Command-R, instead of an older macOS version.


see > Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support


  • Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.

Dec 31, 2023 3:22 PM in response to Tracy Reynolds

I managed to get an OS on the new SSD and boot from it. After failing in the Disc Utility recovery mode of restoring the blank (and erased) SSD from my original HD (from another identical mini with a failed power supply) I tried copying the HD in Finder. The new SSD showed up as a valid startup disc choice but it would not boot. This time with what appeared to be a corrupt OS (instead of being blank) I was able to use Disc Utility to recover from the first HD. I'm using the new SSD as I type this.

The only difference I can see in the two recovery modes is the first time I was booted on the first HD (mounted externally) and the successful time I was booted in recovery mode using that Disc Utility. But I never got an error that Disc Utility could not recover form a HD that the computer was booted from.

Dec 22, 2023 6:37 PM in response to den.thed

I contacted the seller. They were the owner and removed the mini from their account. They verified that it is no longer on their account. What if I boot from an external HD? I've been using the HD from a mini that lost a hard drive on another identical mini. Would booting it on a working OS write my ID on the motherboard and register it with my Apple account?

Dec 25, 2023 7:19 AM in response to den.thed

I have scrolled up, down left, right, and inside out looking for something to click. I opened all the terms and scrolled from top to bottom. There is nothing else to click. I've hit the Enter key. I've hit the Return key. I've clicked on Agree 100 times. I've gone back and re-entered my login 10 times. I'm using a wired USB keyboard and mouse

Nothing.

Dec 27, 2023 7:53 PM in response to lanstrad1

Well, I was able to download an OS from Apple. When I booted on the seller's install it started with the normal entrance screen to select language and progressed to registration where I entered my Apple ID and it was accepted. When I could not agree I then tried the method where you download the OS and install it and went through the same process. Both times the Agree button was gray and not clickable.

Dec 30, 2023 8:38 PM in response to den.thed

The mini had a fresh install of Catalina when I bought it. I could not agree to terms. By booting in Recovery I downloaded and installed Mavericks, the next OS after the original OS and could not agree to terms. I have booted the mini from an external HD (from mine with a dead power supply) successfully and verified that the new mini's serial number is on My Apple profile. I have tried a rescue to the newly installed SSD from my externally mounted old HD but it fails because the new SSD can't be unmounted (that's the error in Disc Utility). I have scrolled up, down, left, right, hit enter, hit return, hit escape, and nothing lets me click on Agree.

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I can't agree to terms and conditions when installing the OS

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