Error -1202 and "Unable to connect to the App Store"

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Level 1

13 points

Error -1202 and "Unable to connect to the App Store"

I have searched extensively for a solution to this, and after attempting all the "solutions" offered here, and on the web in general, nothing works.

Upon opening the App Store, the front page opens fine, but trying to sign in, I receive one of the above two messages.

I have used Mac products for the last 25-odd years, so I am not a newbie.

Bearing in mind that all my software is up-to-date according to Software update, and that I can only update my complete system from the App Store (whenever the next major paid-for release occurs) I have questions.

Does anyone else have the same problem?

Does anyone have the same error messages?

What indeed is error -1202?

Has anyone, if they were similarly suffering, found any solutions which work?

OS X 10.7.4 (11E53)

2.2 GHz Core i7

8GB RAM

and considerable annoyance.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on May 28, 2012 5:24 AM

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Answer 1

May 28, 2012 11:38 AM in response to Johnnie-99

Hi...

and that I can only update my complete system from the App Store

No. Lion v10.7.4 updates are available from Software Update accessible from your Apple menu or Sytem Preferences > Software Update, not the App Store.

As for error 1202, try here > Error -9812 and -1202: Apple Support Communities

and after attempting all the "solutions" offered here, and on the web in general, nothing works.

I can understand being frustrated but we have no way of knowing exaclty what "solutions" you have tried that didn't work unless you tell us.

If you have anti virus software installed, disable that. It's usually third party software that prevents access to the App Store.

Try using a different DNS server.

Open System Preferences / Preferences then select the Network tab. Click the Advanced tab then click the DNS tab.

Click +

Enter these addresses exactly as you see them here.

208.67.222.222

Click +

208.67.220.220

Then click OK.

Try the App Store.

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Answer 2

Johnnie-99 Author

Level 1

13 points

May 28, 2012 5:47 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thank you, Carolyn.

I thought I was being clear when I said "and that I can only update my complete system from the App Store (whenever the next major paid-for release occurs)".

Let me put it another way:

Whenever the next major, paid-for system is released, which will be either 10.8.x or 11, and Apple only allows it through the App Store, I will not be able to access it.

"Paid-for" refers to the requirement to pay for an update (ie not free) and system refers to the complete software (not updates to an exisiting installation).

As for the other solutions I have tried, when I wrote "and after attempting all the "solutions" offered here, and on the web in general, nothing works ..." I would have thought that it was clear that I have tried virtually everything offered on the internet and by Apple.

Let me put it another way:

Of all the solutions offered on the internet, and those offered by Apple on this website, none have fixed the problem. These solutions, as a cursory check on the internet would reveal, include the disabling of anti-virus software, and changing DNS settings. In addition, checking, deleting or updating security certificates does not fix the problem. In addition, changing firewall settings does not fix the problem.

It is so nice Apple offer the choice at the bottom of your reply between 'This solved my problem' and 'This helped me' but does not offer a 'This did not help me' button.

I appreciate your help but please read the text of questions. This will prevent users such as me developing an opinion of replies which is less than flattering.

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Answer 3

Johnnie-99 Author

Level 1

13 points

May 28, 2012 5:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thank you again Carolyn for your reply which included reference to Error -9812 and -1202: Apple Support Communities. Most of that thread refers to Windows computers or portable devices.

No solutions or explanations there either.

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Answer 4

Oct 16, 2012 8:11 AM in response to Johnnie-99

Johnnie,

Have you had any luck with this error? I'm getting this when I turn iTunes Match on and I can't even connect to the Mac App Store, I have a feeling all these totally cryptic 1202s are related. As you mentioned, most of the information available is for troubleshooting Windows machines. They seem to be related to the system's security certificates, more so given that "correcting your system time and date" seems to be a popular solution. There seems to be little or no information on this issue for Mac OS, it may not be as common, and of course reinstalling the OS is always the ultimate way to fix this, but I find it unacceptable to assume that's really a solution. Additionally this is a remotely managed machine, I'd hate to have to go out just to reinstall, it's about a 4 hour drive.

I've deleted caches in Library, preferences, restarted, fixed permissions literally 6 times in a row (you know how that works), and nothing is fixing this. Even tried a different iTunes account.

At this point I'm wondering if you've had any luck since you posted back in May, perhaps with subsequent system updates...

Thanks

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Answer 5

Oct 18, 2012 4:12 AM in response to Victor Anaya

Hi,

Sadly no luck except that pathetic reply from someone at Apple who clearly doesn't bother to read the whole post before leaping to an inaccurate conclusion. Nothing I found fixed it; after that ridiculous reply nothing else was forthcoming, but I am not surrised as I think my reply shows I was less than impressed with her answer.

It drove me insane but luckily I byassed to whole darned thing by buying a new MacBook (not only to solve that problem, I hasten to add). I have not looked at the old one for a couple of months, but will do so in the next few days and try to get back to you.

I now use Mountain Lion (10.8.2) on the new laptop and there's no problem with that, which, I am sorry, probably doesn't help you.

Johnnie

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Answer 6

Oct 18, 2012 5:45 AM in response to Johnnie Walker1

Thanks for the update. I'm considering upgrading to Mountain Lion on that machine, or doing a full reinstall, which will completely suck.

Anyway, best of luck with the new MBPro, I love the new 15 inch Retina ones, but I need to see how much I can get for one of my kidneys before I can get one <joke>

BTW, unfortunately very very few Apple employees ever show up on these forums, it's mostly "advanced" users, and it seems that was the case here, although I wouldn't think you would've necessarily gotten a better answer from Apple anyway...

Victor

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Answer 7

Renaat70

Level 1

0 points

Oct 18, 2012 4:02 AM in response to Johnnie-99

I'm just getting frustrated by this problem 1202. I'm not intrested in problemsolving. Just want to buy a song with my prepaid account. I'll go to the shop to buy an oldskool CD.

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