Q: Could not sign in to iMessage.

Yes, I've read this too. I've yet to find a copy that will boot my late 2008 macbook pro.

I am having a massive problem here.  I sign into iMessage with my iPhone and iPad with no problem.  But since last night, I am unable to access iMessage on my Macbook (Mountain Lion).  Why is this so?  I keep getting the message "Could not sign in to iMessage.  Could not sign in.  Please check your network connection and try again."  This problem has occurred for more than 12 hours with no resolution.  At first, there were issues signing into iCloud on the internet but this is now no longer a problem.

Hi,

When did you update to OS X 10.8.2 (this updates Messages to 7.0.1) ?

Do you have the Serial Number present ?

(i.e is your issue the same as others in this thread ?)

7:39 PM      Tuesday; January 15, 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

Hi there,

I updated to 10.8.2 in November, I think, not long after ML was released.

Yes, the serial number is present.  I also tried all your suggested steps in this forum, to no avail.

Later on, I switched off my internet connection and then put it back on again.  I could then sign in to iMessage.

Looks like the matter is resolved (for now).

Good to hear you found something that works for you.

9:11 PM      Wednesday; January 16, 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

my serial number is not present, what can it be done to recover it? also, I followed the instructions and imessage and facetime is still not working. I have  a late 2008 macbook pro running 10.8.2

Hi,

The Serial Number needs to be replaced by the Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider.

9:14 PM      Thursday; January 31, 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

Hi ralph. i did this:"

mb.

Finder -> Go (in the menu bar) -> Go to folder... -> type "/etc" -> Go

here, find the hosts file, now, this file is locked, I used sudo vim from Terminal to edit it, if you don't know vim, try nano, it might be easier to understand.

So, open up Terminal and type: sudo nano /etc/hosts

type in your password and press enter

delete everything EXCEPT these lines:

##

# Host Database

#

# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface

# when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.

##

127.0.0.1          localhost

255.255.255.255          broadcasthost

::1             localhost

fe80::1%lo0          localhost

now press CTRL+O to save, enter to confirm the path e CTRL+X to exit the program, now try Messages.."

and i apparently erased my serial number that was below: fe80::1%lo0          localhost.

so now i have 2 problems:

1) messages still not working

2) my MB pro doesn't have a serial number.....

great.

Hi,

That Fix is for a Different issue that causes similar symptoms.

Basically the Hosts File can get edited and stop Messages contacting the Verisign server. 

It can also be used to block some App from "Calling  Home" in some cases.

The Lack of Serial Number is central to Messages not working. It is one problem not two.

My Understanding is that when Apple Do this they boot the computer from another Drive.

This drive has an app that can "write" the number to the Logic board.

I have seen posts that suggest you can download an app (there are rumours of two) and do it yourself (you have one shot apparently and it has to be on a separate boot I understand.)

9:46 PM      Thursday; January 31, 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

oh ok, that's nice to know. is that my serial number did appear before i intended to do the fix i mentioned. that's why i say i have 2 problems. anyways, i'll send my mac to the apple store so that they can put my serial back again and hopefully, solve this message problem. thanks for you collaboration ralph.

No Problem.

10:06 PM      Thursday; January 31, 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

I don't understand terminal it's why I bought an iMac!

Apple said "it just works" and they made things easy to use lol

So iMessage and FaceTime on an iMac don't work because I can't sign in

Disgusting like all the other problems

Looks like I have to box it back up and make yet another trip 30 miles to my nearest apple store

Hi,

You can check the Hosts file before running off to the Apple Store.

Make the finder the front app (listed in the Menu Bar)

If a Finder window is not open use the option in the File Menu.

Then go to the View Menu > Customise Toolbar.

Drag the QuickLook eye type icon to the Toolbar.

Close the Customise slide (Done Button)

Close the Finder Window

In the Go Menu > Go to Folder type /etc/Hosts in the dialogue box that appears.

This will go to the etc folder and highlight the Hosts file

Now click the QuickLook button in the finder window's Toolbar

It will offer a way to Open It (TextEdit)

Use this and it should look like this if it has not been changed

If QuckLook does not offer the TextEdit Option close the QuickLook slide

Right Click the Host File and use the Open With option to select TextEdit.

Using Terminal is only one way to Edit this file if needed.

10:26 PM      Thursday; February 21, 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 very much Ralph for your suggestion as to the fix!

I can confirm that on my Mac Pro, which had the logic board changed a year ago or so, was not 'serialized' properly.  iMessage and FaceTime did not log in.

I can confirm that after having the serial number set, with NO other changes, iMessage and FaceTime started working on 10.8.2.

This means Mac OS X 10.8.2 checks the serial number of the computer before allowing sign in.

-Rob

You're welcome.

7:18 PM      Tuesday; March 19, 2013

  iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.3)
 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