mm4c3k
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X

Q: random popup error message re: iCloud

For the last week or so, I have been receiving a random popup error message on my desktop. It states: 'This  Mac can't connect to iCloud because of a problem with "myemailaddress@here.com".' Open iCloud preferences to fix this problem.

I am given two choices--either click "Later" or "iCloud Preferences".

After trying to change my preferences, it asks me for my password. (I am assuming to iCloud; however, I never set it up).

Frankly, I don't feel comfortable at this point typing in ANY password in the event that some j@ck@ss is trying to hack me.

To provide a little more background, I called Apple Support last week and explained what was happening. He thought it may be malware, so I downloaded and ran a MalwareBytes scan as suggested. Nothing found.

Also ran Sophos, again nothing.

Do i have cause for concern about hacking? Should i change any or all of my passwords?

Is this random popup a software glitch? If so, how on earth do I get it to stop?? This once every hour popup in the middle of the screen is quite a nuisance.

Thank you in advance for any assistance in resolving this issue....

Posted on Jul 21, 2016 10:21 AM

by mm4c3k,Solvedanswer
mm4c3k mm4c3k
Level 1 (4 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Thank you both for the input. I called Apple support and a rep spent an hour and a half with me on the phone guiding me through several updates/changes. Problem solved!

Posted on Aug 23, 2016 1:50 PM

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mm4c3k

Q: random popup error message re: iCloud

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  • Helpful answers

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Jul 21, 2016 10:33 AM in response to mm4c3k
    Level 7 (25,445 points)
    iCloud
    Jul 21, 2016 10:33 AM in response to mm4c3k

    Sorry, not understanding at what point you are being asked for the password? Did you manually go to System Preferences>iCloud to see if you are signed in there? If you are, then sign out of iCloud there and then back in again to see if the issue will go away.

     

    If it returns, then sign out of iCloud again, then go to: Apple - My Apple ID and change your password there. Make sure that it is a secure password (8 characters, upper and lower case letters, special characters, etc.). Then sign back into System Preferences>iCloud with the new password and see if the issue is resolved.

     

    Best of luck,

     

    GB

  • by mm4c3k,

    mm4c3k mm4c3k Jul 21, 2016 11:22 AM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 21, 2016 11:22 AM in response to gail from maine

    i receive the random popup box in the middle of my screen....the one stating This Mac can't connect to iCloud because of a problem with "myemail@address".

    I am given two choices--clicking "Later" makes the popup box disappear. By clicking the other alternative, "iCloud Preferences", it opens up my Settings to iCloud. At which time I can enter a password. Like stated previously, I have never set up my iCloud.

  • by gail from maine,

    gail from maine gail from maine Jul 21, 2016 3:04 PM in response to mm4c3k
    Level 7 (25,445 points)
    iCloud
    Jul 21, 2016 3:04 PM in response to mm4c3k

    OK, so double-check under System Preferences>iCloud to see if you see your Apple ID signed in there. (humor me, please).

     

    Cheers,

     

    GB

  • by mm4c3k,

    mm4c3k mm4c3k Aug 15, 2016 3:28 PM in response to gail from maine
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 15, 2016 3:28 PM in response to gail from maine

    OK. Small update. I decided to change my apple i.d. password altogether. That alleviated the previous problem. Yay!

    Now, however, I have a problem using iTunes.

    When I open iTunes it says "Your iTunes session has expired. To reconnect, sign in with your Apple i.d. and password.

     

    When I try to do so, nothing happens except the little sundial keeps spinning while waiting to log in. In addition, none of the drop-down menu items are clickable; right-clicking Quit doesn't even work. I have to use Force Quit.

    Would not changing my Apple i.d. password flow through to the iTunes store on my computer? I was able to log into it from work this afternoon...

    Thanks, again!

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 16, 2016 1:59 PM in response to mm4c3k
    Level 9 (69,536 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 16, 2016 1:59 PM in response to mm4c3k

    It should. Can you sign out of iTunes and then back in?

  • by mm4c3k,

    mm4c3k mm4c3k Aug 17, 2016 2:00 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 17, 2016 2:00 PM in response to Eric Root

    Eric, no I am not. When I open the iTunes icon, the program opens as well as a log-in popup window in front of it. It states that my session has ended, and I need to log back in to continue. After I type my username and new password, the little sundial (as opposed to beach ball) just spins.

    My only option is to click the red dot to close. With regards to the iTunes program, nothing is clickable (all greyed out). The only option I have to close is through the Apple icon on the top left> Force Quit > iTunes.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 18, 2016 1:02 PM in response to mm4c3k
    Level 9 (69,536 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 18, 2016 1:02 PM in response to mm4c3k

    Try restarting the computer or log your user account out/in. See if things will reset.

  • by mm4c3k,Solvedanswer

    mm4c3k mm4c3k Aug 23, 2016 1:50 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 23, 2016 1:50 PM in response to Eric Root

    Thank you both for the input. I called Apple support and a rep spent an hour and a half with me on the phone guiding me through several updates/changes. Problem solved!

  • by Corinne46,

    Corinne46 Corinne46 Sep 5, 2016 10:45 PM in response to mm4c3k
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 5, 2016 10:45 PM in response to mm4c3k

    Do you have to uncheck something...? What did you do?

     

    My husband (who is currently overseas) has exactly the same problem and asked me to help him to solve it remotely