To update this application, sign in to the account you used to purchase it.

Back up all data.

Boot into Recovery mode. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, follow the prompts to reinstall the OS. You don't need to erase the boot volume, and you won't need your backup unless something goes wrong. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade, so make a note of those before you begin.

If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it.

It should only be a matter of::

HAVING CLONE MAC OS X

USING SETUP ASSISTANT

HAVING TIMEMACHINE

No need for Disk Warrior unless something was wrong, in which case a RESTORE from your CLONE is best (and have a couple, pre-10.8.34 and of course maybe earlier but when you know things are right). Backups AFTER you know there are problems is not ideal. Ounce of prevention wins hands down.

Also no need to redownload in case you want to do a clean install and/or don't want to have to download the full package (not everyone can rely on their broadband or have caps or what do you do when the network is down?)

Using Cloning as a Backup Strategy

http://www.bombich.com/software/updates/ccc-3.5.html

OS X Lion Install to Different Drive

How to create an OS X Lion installation disc MacFixIt

Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard

http://www.apple.com/support/lion/installrecovery/

Create an OS X Lion Install disc

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20080989-263/how-to-create-an-os-x-lion-ins tallation-disc

http://www.coolestguyplanettech.com/how-to-make-a-bootable-osx-10-8-mountain-lio n-disc-or-drive-from-the-downloaded-mountain-lion-app/

How to clone your system:

http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone-backup.html

http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone.html

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner

http://www.macperformanceguide.com/blog/2012/20120711_2-MacPro-internal-clone-ba ckup.html

Before you clone, install TRIM Enabler! if you use SSDs!

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37852/trim-enabler

SSD Maintenance

Problems after using Migration Assistant

I use TM on native SATA ports, internal and external and never played with TC variety.

I also use CCC and SuperDuper, I use CCC for checksum feature which is slow but then it does not take long to do a smart update. And TM since 10.6.8 has never failed but I do have two sets.

If you want something else fine just what is free and common - and I use others, like TRIBackup and use to use SynronizePro and others.

I use Paragon HDM 12 would so smart updates but then it is to/from SSD that I use it and that takes 10 minutes to clone my system SSD.

Hi

I just had the same issue and was reading a work around which advised to go to the App Store and click on the purchases tab and then click on the update button to start updating the software.

I'm in the process of updating my software now and the Apps shortcut in my dock no longer has a number along side needing to update so it looks like all is good.

I'll post again if it doesn't work so if you don't hear from me again you know it worked.

Good luck

You should read my entire thread. I attempted to boot into recovery mode but it wouldn't.

I don't see where you mentioned that in your original post.

But now my problem is with my Apple account. It won't let me download the software even though I paid for it.

If you bought ML in the same Apple account, then you should contact customer service. I don't know what you mean by "merging" accounts. As far as I know, that isn't possible.

Jeff Sepeta wrote:

I am signed into my account, and I can see that I purchased Mountain Lion, but the App Store refuses to allow me to re-download it.

"To update this application, sign in to the account you used to purchase it."...

...To my knowledge, I only have one existing Apple account. I merged all my accounts several years ago when I stopped working for an Apple VAR.

Check to make sure Spotlight is running and indexing your boot disk. You can turn off all the categories to search to speed things up but Spotlight will do at least some indexing and that list is what's used by the App Store to connect your purchases to it and your account. Spotlight not indexing has repeatedly generated that refusal message for me when my boot disk has somehow ended up in the Privacy list. Deleting it from the Privacy list fixes it but allow some time for Spotlight to do its thing.

If Spotlight was running and indexing your boot drive and your still getting that message

then you may need to rebuild that boot drive Spotlight index:

Add the boot drive to your privacy tab.

Wait 20 seconds.

Remove it from the privacy tab.

Indexing should start within a few seconds.

I’ve had this issue a few times and this fixed it.

Thanks ... Ken