iMessage on Mountain Lion problem

I have a Messages issue now...

Messages worked great for me on my MBP for a year, but then I bought an iMac and used migration assistant to transfer pretty much everything over from the laptop to the desktop. On my new iMac, I opened Messages and all of my texts are there, from the beginning of time; I'm signed into my Apple ID, no problem. However, I can't send or receive any new messages now from my iMac. MBP still sends and receives, my iphone still sends and receives, but I can't get my iMac to do the same no matter how many times I reactivate or quit Messages.

Hi,

How deep was the Migration ?

If it included the Login Keychain it will have transferred the Auth-Token items fro FaceTime (If you registered) and Messages.

Both these apps use the Serial Number of the Mac (which is stored on the Mother/Logic Board) as part of the Authorisation Process.

The chances are the Auth-Token details which include the MBP's Serial number rather than the iMac's

Open Keychain Access (Applications/Utilities) and check the Auth-token for iMessages

Delete if required.

Restart Messages to recreate the correct Auth-token.

10:21 pm Saturday; September 14, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

I included everything in the migration, and the Auth-Token was there just as you described. I quit Messages, deleted the token, then re-opened messages and tried a test message (no luck). I signed out of the imessage account and re-entered my password (which I noticed instantly created the new Auth-Token), and tried another test message, but still to no avail.

Could it be that iMessages will only go to one phone and one computer? (I.e. should I delete the Auth-Token on the MBP and sign out of iMessage on there)

Hi,

It should go to an many iPhones, iPads and computers that your want to use the same Apple ID with.

I have two iPhone in fact and use different Apple IDs on them. The Mac still tries to add the second iPhone Number and the second Apple ID (email) to the Mac version as "Aliases".

If you transferred the whole Mac User account which would have included the ~/Library/Preferences that contains all the .plists there should be no real issue with ownership.

As you start up each app the first time a .plist (or at least one) is create that tends to hold the preferences settings for that app.

These are stored in the Preferences Folder inside the Library folder of your Home folder (which is Hidden in Mountain Lion).

If you drag the .plists (or the whole folder) from one computer to another the Mac User account on the new computer you add them to does not Own them.

You can check by doing this:-

Make the Finder the "front" app.

Bring up a Finder Window.

In the View Menu select the Show Path Bar.

No use the Go Menu and hold the ALT key down to see the Library option

Select this.

Navigatge to the Preferences Folder

Highlight the com.apple.ichat.plist item

Do a Get Info (CMD + i keys together.)

At the bottom of the new panel you should have your Shortname listed.

Highlighting htis name and then using the Cogwheel icon should point up your Name one to change the Ownership to - but it should be greyed out as it is Done.

Example Finder window open at Preferences and Info panel.

If you do Own the file right click the Preferences folder in the path bar and chose Get Info fro that folder.

Repeat for the Library itself.

7:45 pm Sunday; September 15, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously