Server connection error when reinstalling High Sierra on my iMac

How do i fix the problem on my 2011 imac where when i try to reninstal high serria from internet recover it says server cannot be connected. I did basic trouble shooting with associate but to no avail. So please help





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Posted on May 7, 2024 8:08 PM

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Posted on May 8, 2024 5:02 PM

I just had this same issue today, Solution is to change the URL before trying to install high sierra. you can do so by following instruction on my recently posted thread.


High Sierra “The Recovery Server Could No… - Apple Community



in short, you will need to go into terminal which is under the utilities tab when trying to restore. you are to manually write the following as it is case sensitive:


nvram IASUCatalogURL="http://swscan.apple.com/content/catalogs/others/index-10.13-10.12-10.11-10.10-10.9-mountainlion-lion-snowleopard-leopard.merged-1.sucatalog"


This will allow you to communicate with apple servers and download the OS.


The root problem here is communication due to SSL protocol from my understanding. by changing https to http you can bypass this finally install your OS.


Watch this video if you need help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouNQS36dIBw


Good luck,

A1

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 8, 2024 5:02 PM in response to A_real_apple

I just had this same issue today, Solution is to change the URL before trying to install high sierra. you can do so by following instruction on my recently posted thread.


High Sierra “The Recovery Server Could No… - Apple Community



in short, you will need to go into terminal which is under the utilities tab when trying to restore. you are to manually write the following as it is case sensitive:


nvram IASUCatalogURL="http://swscan.apple.com/content/catalogs/others/index-10.13-10.12-10.11-10.10-10.9-mountainlion-lion-snowleopard-leopard.merged-1.sucatalog"


This will allow you to communicate with apple servers and download the OS.


The root problem here is communication due to SSL protocol from my understanding. by changing https to http you can bypass this finally install your OS.


Watch this video if you need help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouNQS36dIBw


Good luck,

A1

May 8, 2024 8:09 AM in response to A_real_apple

In Disk Utility>View, select Show all Devices, highlight the top left entry.


Run Disk First Aid on all items in the left panel, from top down.


APFS won't work for Sierra or earlier, Sierra or earlier needs MacOS Extended Journaled. High Sierra won't work for APFS on earlier Macs.




If all else fails...

https://mrmacintosh.com/how-to-fix-the-recovery-server-could-not-be-contacted-error-high-sierra-recovery-is-still-online-but-broken/


Use http:// instead of https://

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouNQS36dIBw&t=95s

The formula for caos: APFS+macOS High+EFI… - Apple Community


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254871592?answerId=260022113022&sortBy=oldest_first#260022113022


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Server connection error when reinstalling High Sierra on my iMac

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