Cannot re-install Lion, "unknown error occurred"

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Level 4

1,412 points

Cannot re-install Lion, "unknown error occurred"

I'm having this issue when I try to re-install Lion on my iMac, boot into Recovery Mode....run "Reinstall Mac OS X Lion," it asks me to authenticate with App Store.... I enter my credentials, and it pops back "unknown error occured."

The iMac is hard-wired and able to use the Internet via Safari (in Recovery Mode). I have replicated the issue on two Macs (Macbook Pro, iMac) and it seems I am not able to re-install Lion on either of them.

Has anyone had this issue? Please advise, thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6), 4GB RAM

Posted on Sep 30, 2011 3:36 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 1, 2011 2:28 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

I've got the same error as described above. Idon't know what to do.

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Answer 2

Oct 1, 2011 9:23 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

I'm having the same problem. C'mon apple!

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Answer 3

Oct 1, 2011 9:33 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

Any idea?? Because I'm having the same problem!

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Answer 4

Oct 1, 2011 12:43 PM in response to JohnBradshaw

Yea same here. idk whats going on. I think its an apple server issue

im trying to reinstall lion because safari keeps crashing and freezing.

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Answer 5

Oct 1, 2011 12:58 PM in response to JohnBradshaw

Well, I reinstalled Mac OS 10.6.8, but to make the upgrade to the lion with the "Recovery HD", it does not work! So it's probably a problem from Apple. I inform you also that apple updated the terms of the App Store. Maybe it's the problem ...

Message was edited by: Cyber-riri

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Answer 6

Oct 1, 2011 2:09 PM in response to JohnBradshaw

I recently upgraded my hard drive to 500gb from 360gb. I tried downloading the OSX Lion which I already paid for but i get "an error has occured" midway into the download. Whenever i tried to continue the download, it starts from the begining again rather that continue from where it broke off.

can anyone help me out of this jam?

Thank you.

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Answer 7

Oct 2, 2011 10:42 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

After a nigth, any idea??

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Answer 8

JohnBradshaw Author

Level 4

1,412 points

Oct 2, 2011 9:04 PM in response to JohnBradshaw

Update.

I called AppleCare yesterday and was advised by a Senior Advisor there was nothing prohibiting my Apple ID from downloading Lion via Recovery HD. However, he did suggest that it may indeed be "overloaded" with requests and to try again in the evening. As an anecdote, everyone I spoke to at AppleCare was super professional--very impressed.

I tried it this evening and I did not receive the "an unknown error occurred," it went straight through to download the update. Perhaps it is indeed that the server is overloaded but at the moment it is working fine.

Hope this helps. 🙂

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Answer 9

h1brd

Level 1

0 points

Oct 3, 2011 10:11 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

Having the same problem...will try later and see if it works 😟

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Answer 10

Oct 7, 2011 4:43 AM in response to JohnBradshaw

Tanks for the call, I tried it again today and it all works again.

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