Why do I get error 1004 when reinstalling Lion?

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Level 3

779 points

Why do I get error 1004 when reinstalling Lion?

I need to reinstall the OS on my iMac after corrupting the OS by changing my user folder name. Apple tech support asked me to partition the hard drive to a single partition and reinstall the OS.

So I rebooted holding down the command+option+r and accressed the recovery OS for Lion off the Internet. This took awhile. I then selected Disk Utility to create a single partion and then clicked on reinstall. It then asked for my Apple ID which I gave it and got the "Error 1004, retry again" message. But I keep getting the same error after going through this at least three times. Three senior Apple tech support people were not able to help get past the 1004 error and suggested I take the computer in to a retail location. bviously, I am trying to avoid doing this.

Is the 1004 error potentially caused by busy Apple servers?

I ran the hardware test and it came up with no problems. And there is no firewall or uitility inhibiting the Internet connection since I was able to download the installer under restore. And I just partitioned the internal HD that negates any software interference.

How do I solve this problem in the absence of an install USB drive or DVD installer>

Thanks,

Ted

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4), 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 with 16 GB

Posted on Aug 2, 2012 3:05 PM

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Answer 1

dmcg Author

Level 3

779 points

Aug 2, 2012 7:47 PM in response to dmcg

Problem solved. I traced the problem to a flawed firmware update that was done by fios (Verizon) on their router automatically. It made the Internet connection unstable. So they reapplied the update from their remote computer and the Apple servers finally recognized my Apple ID. So the 1004 error reflected the problem. The Internet connection was stable enough to dowload the installer but not stable enough to approve the Apple ID.

This ressmebles hard to diagnose RAM issues.

Message was edited by: dmcg

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