Mac Pro Missing Serial Number after SSD install

Question

Level 1

50 points

Mac Pro Missing Serial Number after SSD install

After installing a new SSD in an unused bay in my Mac Pro (OS 10.8.4) and setting it as my start-up disk with only System, Apps, Library and Users Folders on it, I have had a remarkable improvement in performance - things simply snap open now & I have not seen a spinning beachball/cogwheel until....

Messages will not work now - on opening, the program asks me to enter my Apple ID & Password but will not accept the entries (which I have double-checked & confirmed on my Mac Book Pro, iPad & iPhone) - I get a prolonged spinning cogwheel & then a message that it could not connect and I should check my Network Connections - I did & they are all working fine for other programs.

On line sources indicate that the iMessage Registration process involves the Mac's Serial number.

This no longer appears under the About This Mac Menu item when I click on the Version 10.8.4 line (the Build Number does appear).

This 4 year old Mac Pro has never had the Logic Board replaced.

And iMessages worked great prior to the SSD install.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

...John

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 2, 2013 8:36 PM

Reply

Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jul 3, 2013 4:08 AM in response to John Bonn

you cloned the system? used Migration or Setup Assistant?

I doubt it has anything to do with the SSD.

But you might include what you did, what make of SSD even, and some brands (but not Samsung) would need firmware update.

You also need to use TRIM Enabler on any and all SSDs (unless you paid dearly and bought an Apple device).

Before you clone, install TRIM Enabler!

And after you clone, run Disk Utility's REPAIR DISK on the SSD -- just to be on the safest side.

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

SSD Maintenance

try creating a new user account. I doubt it is the SSD, or you, though it could be your OS install or just the common issues with iMessages. Is there not a forum for it? I'd think there would be.

Reply

Answer 2

John Bonn Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 3, 2013 4:48 AM in response to The hatter

I used Setup Assistant to clone the system.

The SSD is an OWC brand

Trim Enabler was installed after I cloned

Creating a new User Account did not bring the Serial Number back

Have a scheduled call with Apple later today.

Will see what they say.

Reply

Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Jul 3, 2013 4:52 AM in response to John Bonn

you used Setup AFTER installing the system.

If you had used Carbon Copy Cloner you would not need to.

Restoring or importing from another boot drive is usually fine, from TimeMachine not always.

Usually it is as the result of change of processor, you say it is 4 yrs old, that could be a Early 2009 4,1 model which people often do flash iwth 5,1 firmware in order to install new processors like W3680.

Reply

Answer 4

John Bonn Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 4, 2013 5:42 AM in response to The hatter

Problem Solved!

I am now an even bigger fan of Apple Support from Austin Texas. First Level Responder could not figure it out. Sent me up to 2nd Level and he worked some 30 minutes with me to no avail. But he advised that he would talk to some other techs & get back to me. 3 hours later he called with the solution!

The Missing Serial Number was the key.

In 2010, one of the Ethernet connections stopped working. Local Apple Repair Centre replaced a "Back Plane Board" under warranty. I was not aware that this was considered a Logic Board replacement. The new board had not been serialized. (The Apple Advisor figured this out by reviewing the warranty work that had been done up here in Canada.). In the 3 subsequent years, this had never caused a problem until I decided to try Messages out.

On their advice, I returned to the local shop, the tech took under 5 minutes to serialize the board and everything is now working great!

Better news! Though the Mac Pro is now 4 years old and out of warranty, because the problem related to work done while under wearranty, I was not charged for the Apple Care assistance nor for the local 'repair'!

No wonder I have stuck with Apple since my first Mac in 1984!

Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I do love this forum!

Reply