OS X El Capitan Install Erased Mac-Mini Serial Number; Is there a tool to restore it?

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Level 1

15 points

OS X El Capitan Install Erased Mac-Mini Serial Number; Is there a tool to restore it?

After installing El Capitan I am unable to sign into AppStore, iTunes, iCloud, etc. Apparently the installation re-flashed or erased an area that holds the machine serial number. A valid serial number field is critical to authenticating the machine's security certificate which is used to validate access to practically everything. I have an opened a support case. The initial suggestion was to re-install El Capitan. Try again in safe mode, and finally create and use an alternate user id. None of that worked and was a huge waste of time as the System Log clearly shows there is a certificate failure due to the missing serial number. The about-this-Mac field shows "unavailable" where serial number should be. The only solution thus far appears to be a trip to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store Unless there is a way to restore S/N file using time machine? Thanks for help in advance.

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 7, 2015 12:41 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 7, 2015 7:01 AM in response to TimParker

Make a Genius appointment and take it to an Apple Store, or call Apple Care. This is probably a hardware problem since the serial number is flashed on to the logic board.

Have a nice day.

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Answer 2

TimParker Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 7, 2015 9:49 AM in response to TimParker

A tech at the Genius Bar restored the serial number on Mac-mini using special boot procedure to access a special tool that can re-write the S/N onto flash memory store of logic board. With the S/N restored the system boots without certificate errors and user access to AppStore, iCloud, iTunes, iMessage/FaceTime, etc are all A-OK. I hope this helps others with the same or a similar invalid serial number root cause issue. ✅

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Answer 3

Dirk III

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2015 4:22 AM in response to Boyd Porter

thx for your help

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Answer 4

Dirk III

Level 1

4 points

Nov 15, 2015 4:24 AM in response to TimParker

thx for your help

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Answer 5

Dec 23, 2015 6:47 PM in response to Dirk III

I installed a fresh copy of El Cap today and ran into issues logging into the App Store, as well as iMessage, and FaceTime from my Macbook Pro 7.1

Tried many things, from creating new user accounts, resetting my Apple ID password, logging out of my iPad (only other Apple device), running kill commands in terminal, speaking to Apple remote support, zapping nvram, swapping hard drives and installing El Cap again, etc.

It's been bugging me to no end and now I realize my serial number also shows up as Unavailable. For those of you who had a similar experience, did a trip to the genius bar fix it once they flashed your serial number again? Does it cost money?

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Answer 6

Dguth3

Level 1

0 points

Jan 8, 2016 9:15 PM in response to TimParker

I had the same issue with the serial number being removed on my late model 2008 MBP after installing El Cap. I am the original owner.

My problem was that I lost all original documentation of my purchase. The bottom of my laptop had long ago lost the printed serial number. Calling the apple number was no help, they couldn't look up my very expired apple care purchase with anything other than my serial number!

I took it in to my local apple store and the tech opened my battery cover. Printed underneath the battery along the bottom edge of the body was my serial number! Like a true noob, I had no idea that it was printed there. He quickly re-serialized my board. You know what it cost me? A handshake. Apple just got another customer for life. Thank you.

Also note that my Messages app now properly works, and prior to that I couldn't log into the app store. It appears that the app store and iTunes store also may be using the serial number to validate the connection. Not 100% sure on that though.

Anyway, if you lost your serial number (like I did), look under the battery. There is no reason to use unsupported applications to fix it, take it to the Apple Store!

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Answer 7

Oct 26, 2016 5:56 AM in response to TimParker

This blog has a link to some Apple software that might allow you to do it yourself. I would have to mail the computer and that's not at all convenient:

http://rogersm.net/icloud-problems-mountain-lion-serial-number

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