Late 2012 iMac doesn't know its serial number

Question

Late 2012 iMac doesn't know its serial number

My iMac late 2012 does not remember its serial number although it has had no hardware work or system board change. I only found out because FaceTime will not work since last update and according to the log thats why -

30/05/2014 10:51:56.809 apsd[109]: Hardware SerialNumber "System Serial#" looks incorrect or invalid

30/05/2014 10:52:17.818 apsd[109]: Certificate not yet generated

30/05/2014 10:52:17.842 identityservicesd[204]: [Warning] Tried to disable an account we don't know about, ignoring...

When you look in 'About this Mac' its blank. The computer has had no hardware changes (other than adding memory via the 27inch slot on the back. It could be its never remembered it or it lost it during a software update?? . . I am worried that it may cause more similar issues and would also start to use FT again! Does anyone know how I can get it to remember it (Its on the box!)

Posted on Jun 26, 2014 3:41 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 26, 2014 4:15 AM in response to John Tweddell

Since posting this question I have seen some similar issues with my model (they didn't show when I typed in the headline) so I am trying these - Tried repair permissions but that did not work, will no reinstall OSX but that takes 8 hours with my connection so jury is out on that one. Ignore this unless you can think of another possibility (If all fails will go to store, but thats a day for me)

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

141,910 points

Jun 26, 2014 4:46 AM in response to John Tweddell

... I am worried that it may cause more similar issues

You're 100% right about that. A blank serial number will cause all sorts of problems, and must absolutely be fixed. Adding memory shouldn't have affected anything.

Where did you purchase that Mac?

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Answer 3

Jun 26, 2014 4:58 AM in response to John Galt

Direct from Apple - It was one of the first iMac Late 2014 machines (I had to wait weeks including over Christmas etc). Not sure if its ever had the serial number, but only had the issue with FaceBook since Mavericks (could be they did not check SN before that). Its over a year old, but I assume Apple will do this (if needed) under its normal support. As I say, my nearest Apple store is a train and bus away so need a day if a visit is required. Thanks for your interest.

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Answer 4

John Galt

Level 10

141,910 points

Jun 26, 2014 5:42 AM in response to John Tweddell

Contact AppleCare using the information in the Contact Us link below. They ought to take serious interest in what appears to be an egregious oversight on their part. If an Apple Store or AASP is not convenient for you (I think their usual threshold is 50 miles), Apple should make arrangements to pick it up and return it to you.

Apple may also have a technique that enables them to remotely access and control your Mac, for the purposes of remotely programming its serial number. Just make absolutely certain you're in contact with Apple and not some scam outfit - that is my reason for emphasizing the Contact Us link and not the results of an Internet search.

Normally, I would advise users to have their Mac's serial number ready, which doesn't seem to be an option for you. If you call them, give the speech-recognition robot the one that's printed on the box.

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Answer 5

Gnomish8

Level 2

350 points

Jun 26, 2014 5:47 AM in response to John Tweddell

Let's check one more place.

Click the Apple, hold down the option key on the keyboard, "About This Mac" should change into "System Information." Open System Information.

At the very top of the list on the left should be "hardware." Select it if it's not already selected. Now, on the right side of the screen, it should give you Hardware Overview. Towards the bottom, there should be "Serial Number (system):", check if that is able to recognize your serial number. If it is, I really have no idea what's going on and AppleCare would probably be interested in your case. If it doesn't, you'll probably have to take it in to Apple or an Authorized Service Provider (locater can be found here). As far as I know, the only solution would probably be to reserialize the board using the Blank Board Serializer.

Keep us updated.

Regards,
Gnomish8

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Answer 6

Gnomish8

Level 2

350 points

Jun 26, 2014 5:48 AM in response to John Galt

As an FYI, AppleCare doesn't use software that allows the tech control of the device. Apple uses Remote Advisor Screen Sharing which gives them view only access (https://ara.apple.com/GetRemoteAdvisor.action). Just an FYI.

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Answer 7

Jun 26, 2014 6:14 AM in response to John Galt

Thanks. In fact I do have the serial number on the box and under the stand.

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Answer 8

Jun 26, 2014 6:16 AM in response to Gnomish8

That is where I confirmed the issue - It says - Serial Number (system): Not Available

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Answer 9

Jun 26, 2014 7:35 AM in response to John Tweddell

From https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/technotes/tn1103/_index.html

Caveats for using the serial number

It is possible for a system to lose its serial number so that it will no longer appear either in System Profiler or the I/O Registry. Repairing a system by swapping hardware components is one reason this can happen. Apple does not document the specific details of how a machine can lose its serial number. Once the serial number has been lost there is no means to restore it to the machine.

Apple does not guarantee that all future systems will have a software-readable serial number.

Both of these cases illustrate why asset tracking software should always provide a way for a serial number to be entered manually.

So give Apple a call but don't expect a whole lot. Report back what the outcome is.

regards

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Answer 10

Jun 26, 2014 7:47 AM in response to Frank Caggiano

Will do if I find a solution!! Nothing has changed and it was purchased new from Apple, so thats not the reason. I saw someone else with a late 2012 iMac had the same issue . .

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Answer 11

zzMikey

Level 1

8 points

Dec 25, 2017 10:26 AM in response to John Tweddell

Did you ever get a fix?

Our iMac won't let us use FaceTime anymore and its quite irritating.

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