cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode - server could not be contacted error.

I cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode and I getting the same "The recovery server could not be contacted" error.


I get the same error with these two:

Mac Book Pro (MBP) (15-inch, mid 2010)

Mac Book Air (MBA) (4,1) (11in Mid 2011)


I alerady checked and re-set the clock on both Macs. I already erased the drive.


Thanks for your help! They were still in good order before I tried to erase the drives to given them to someone else.

Posted on Jun 20, 2023 05:46 PM

Reply
4 replies

Jun 21, 2023 10:09 AM in response to Annapolitano

Annapolitano wrote:

I cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode and I getting the same "The recovery server could not be contacted" error.

I get the same error with these two:
Mac Book Pro (MBP) (15-inch, mid 2010)
Mac Book Air (MBA) (4,1) (11in Mid 2011)

I alerady checked and re-set the clock on both Macs. I already erased the drive.

Thanks for your help! They were still in good order before I tried to erase the drives to given them to someone else.



Whats going on here— 2 old Macs, what is the bigger picture...

You do not say what is your current OS X / macOS (?)




older macOS installer backups on this server:

How to download macOS

How to download macOS - Apple Support


Jun 21, 2023 10:09 AM in response to leroydouglas

@leroydouglas

Apologies. As of yesterday these two Macs had installed macOS High Sierra. Because, I want to give them to a friend, I erased the harddrive using the Disk Utility but when I tried to re-install mac OD High Sierra (while booting pressed Option+Command+R) , received the "server could not be contacted error". I have internet access (I can ping 8.8.8.6 and the clock is fine).



I have done these Steps:

1- Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command-Option-R keys until

- "Starting Internet Recovery" globe appears.

- Option to select WIFI and enter password

- Globe re-appears with loading bar

2- The macOS Utility Menu appeared in from 5-20 minutes.

3- Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.

4- When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.

5- Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.

6- Set the Format type to APFS

7- Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.

9- Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.

10- Select Re-Install macOS and click on the Continue button.

- Install macOS High Sierra windows pops up, To set up the installation of macOS High Sierrs, click CONTINUE

--> Get Error "The recovery server could not be contacted"


Is there another option like using an USB drive?


Thanks!

Jun 21, 2023 10:09 AM in response to Annapolitano

(2) I have also tried these steps:

1- Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Option only key until

2- The macOS Utility Menu appeared in from 5-20 minutes.

3- Select Re-Install macOS X Lion 10.7 and click to Continue button.

- Click Agree on Terms

- Select disk to install Mac OS X window pops up. This rectangular white window is blank (no option to select).

- Note: On another occasio, I had an USB drive plugged to the MAC and USB drive showed. I selected that drive and eventually told me that it could not get all the information


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cannot install macOS High Sierra from recovery mode - server could not be contacted error.

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