OS X Lion Server hangs on install ("authenticating")

Hi there.

I was sick and tired of trying everyting and nothing worked. So i've decided to do a clean install of Mac OS X Lion and then install the server app. It worked for me.

I know it isn't a good/best solution, but this time i had to do it and fortunately it worked.

For those of you how have the time and patience to do a clean install, do it. Probably it will work.

With me, it worked just fine. I don't know if it will work with all.

Ok, didn't see that, haha. Very nice, hahaha, Microsoft solution is a perfect definition!! But, it worked.

I really needed the server app to work, had to make a desperate measure.

Hope someone finds an easier solution.

pujan14, your solution worked great!

I bet the repave would have worked but this saved me about 2 hours. Thanks!

Need some help here please:

1. Fixed the file plist like explained earlier, no authentication hang problem but as mentioned in another tread I receive now the "configuring services box" - Error Message - see:

2. When I try the workaround as mentioned by pujan14, I receive the following error message:

What to do now?

Please help out.

This is just a hunch, I had similar issue, check what is your OS version 10.7.0, 10.7.1 or 10.7.2 than see if your server package is made for that specific version if you update your os to 10.7.2 and than try to install server from 10.7.1's source you get such error

How to get rid of the problem? I tried to install 10.7.2 Server package on my machine (10.7.2 Client package is already installed) but it looks like I can't:

What to do now?

@spwan5

You can't install just the server combo update over a normal 10.7.2 client installation. First you have to go to the App Store, load the Server.app, install it and configuring the server.

@pujan14

Thanks. Worked great.

I didn't have to force quit. I selected Manage, Connect to Server, This Mac. Once a new install window opened I hit the Go Back button in the older window and closed it. After that I was able to proceed with install normally, using the new install window, without any additional issues.

10.7 retail preinstall.

In my case I was running 10.7.2 but had not yet updated to 10.7.3 prior to buying the server upgrade. I was able to grab the "server" application from another server that was also still on 10.7.2 and replaced the newer version that was downloaded from the app store. Once I did that I was able to get through the config screen with no probelm.

This is the solution:

http://0john.posterous.com/os-x-lion-server-hangs-on-install-apple-suppo