Q: ML 10.8.2 Cannot login to Messages, Facetime, or Game Center

I just downloaded ML 10.8.2 after 3 days of downloading (slow internet connection in the desert of the middle east).  I noticed the serial number I have under about this mac is different than the serial number on the bottom of my MP.  Will the program you mentioned allow me to type any serial number? i.e. can I make the serial numbers match? And will that allow me to connect to facetime and imessages. I am currently getting the message "Could not sign you in. Please check your network connection and try again."

@ Ralph Johns is there any other way to get my serial numbers corrected without going to an apple store?  I will not have the ability to go to an Apple store until middle to late april.  Also can I revert back to my original operating system when I could log into facetime with no worries.  I really could care less about having imessages on my MP.

I think you won't be able to change it but it's worth trying. Also, you can take a look at this thread : http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/28529-is-there-a-way-to-change-my-macs-se rial/

Hope it helps!

Thanks I will give it a try but just thinking I will restore from a previous backup to my old OS.

Hi,

I believe there may be at least two apps out there that can do this.

I think philsogood has posted a link that should get you to the other one.

Apple Authorised Service Providers (AASPs) should also be able to sort this.

(I would guess you are short of them in your area as well).

As you say FaceTime was offered as an extra for Lion Users (without being a beta like Messages)

However I am not sure it gets included on a Restore of Lion or whether it is available as a download from the App Store.  (I am showing it as a 69pence app in the App Store)

9:23 PM      Friday; January 25, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 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

Thanks for the reply.  I just went with the restore method and all is well.  I will deal with Mountain Lion when I return to civilization!

Ok,

8:48 PM      Saturday; January 26, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 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

Hey Ralph,

I reported this is a bug in the apple developer site.  I got a reply back that it was a known bug and a duplicate ticket... so its something they are aware of and working on.

Good to hear.

8:44 PM      Tuesday; January 29, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 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

Hello Ralph. I did this "create serial number" thingie for the brand new logicboard. Imessages is still not working. I don´t know if its a thing about registering the computer online as well.

I couldnt do that since my serial is not being recognized so, I guess I´ll have to make an appointment with the Geniuses.

Go to Utilities (Applications/Utilities)

Open Keychain Access

Find the trust key for the iMessage name and delete it.

Restart Messages.

 

Actually, you're on to something here.  For me, there was no single cert for iMessage - there seems to be a suite of them: Auth tokesn, "message-protection" keys, and some other certs that get created when you log on.  I've deleted everything I could find, and have been able to change the "setup" requests it makes, but not actually log on.  If you watch KeyChain while logging in (and failing) you'll see the keys pop up into existance. 

It works just fine on my Air, so I'm going to try to export all relevent key data, and import it onto this guy and see what happens.  Thanks for the suggestion - your post got me looking at that stuff.

t

Hello Thor Hog, the only iMessage document I found on the keychain was a temporary iMessage password. No trust keys or tokens.  I deleted this temporary file, nothing changed either.

Hi danielsosmacfrance -

I too get the temporary "application password" as well as the "AuthToken" application password.  In addition though, 2 keys are created (just keys, not part of a certificate): iMessage Signing Key and iMessage Encryption Key.  I've included an image. 

All of this very well may be normal behavior in that it must create these keys to proceed with logon attempt, at which point the root of the problem comes into play.  But I'm not sure.  I've done everything else with this thing, so more exploration with keys/certs is probably warranted.  I even did a packet capture with WireShark to no avail.  I see it try to establish the TLS1.0 session, and that's where it dies.  I know the certificate verification is happening because I see that transaction happen. 

All iCloud syncs, iTunes and Apps purchases work fine.  Very odd. 

P.S.  Funny how the default screen capture format is .tiff but this site won't let you upload a .tiff

Hi,

I have no real idea if these two apps work or to be perfectly honest what has to be done to make them work such as working from and alternative boot.

I would say the Geniuses and Apple Authorised Service Providers are going to be key.

In Keychain Acess I show the Auth Token and the two Keys and the ids: Messages-protection-key item.

8:34 PM      Friday; February 1, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 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

Works fine !

I did the thing, on rewrite the serial number on the logic board, like philsogood said (mine was empty #, because they changed for a new one).

After I tried again login on messages, and works fine ! Thanks !