Need fix for OSX 10.9 and 10.10 icloud Password fail

[Terraaustralis]

Introduction
Over the last few months I have been attempting to upgrade my cloned OSX 10.6, 10.7, 10.9 and 10.10 to install them on a recently purchased and upgraded iMac 12.2 (2011 3.4 i7 with Samsung 2TB SATA SSD). I want to create a time capsule of working CS5 with related working printers and scanners. The software sweet spot is Lion to Yosamite.

I have achieved fresh o/s installs of all of the above, but icloud and Apple Mail remain inoperable due to software install glitches. OSX 10.9 and 10.10 are my prime concern in this respect. The problem I describe below is identical for OSX 10.9 and OSX 10.10.

I would be grateful for assistance from anyone who can help me resolve the problem.

Method
After downloading fresh Apple o/s, I install on clean SSD partitioned under the name of each o/s. So I have four individual operational o/s (10.6, 10,7, 10.9, 10,10) on the SSD. Lets concentrate on 10.9 and 10.10 only.

After installation I begin sign-in sequence. I skip import data "from another Mac", I reach iCloud, sign in with my Apple ID and Password. On a second iMac 2019 I have simultaneously switched on, an address location map asks me to approve sign-in from the iMac 12.2. I approve and a six figure number appears which I am expected to add to the iCloud Password on iMac 12.2. I add the six figure which are recognised by iCloud according to both computers.

Next window is Terms and Conditions; Familiar to us all; I am expected to read, scroll down and tick a box acknowledging my approval before moving on. THERE IS NO BOX TO TICK. The continuation arrow at bottom right is greyed out awaiting activation from a box which no longer exists! This happens identically on both 10.9 and 10.10.

My only alternative is to step back and skip icloud sign in hoping I can do the task later. Terms and Condition then re-appears with "Continue" arrow active. I click arrow and complete account installation and all looks good. But without iCloud there is no Mail. I open iCloud, provide ID and password which return "not recognised".

On the 2019 iMac, I open System Settings> click on my Account name, select "Password and Security", move to "Get a Verification Code", click on it and a six figure number appears which must be added to my iCloud password as previously described. "Password not recognised" is returned. I am now out of options.

Variables
10.10 installer downloaded from

OS X Yosemite Installer : Apple INC : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Official OS X Yosemite Installer from the Mac App Store.Un-archive the zip archive and you will get the app Installer. A bootable ISO or bootable USB can be...

archive.org

File: Install OS X Yosamite 10.10.5_14F27.dmg

10.9 Installer from: curl mavericksforever.com/get.sh | sh
Both files are from Apple official OS recovery servers.

On Mavericks, going to System Preferences>iCloud opens a window showing apps served by iCloud. All have ticked boxes except Keychain. Click the Keychain box and iCloud password is requested. When password is entered the 2019 shows the location map and asks me to approve the activity with the six figure number. However adding the six figure number to the password succeeds in switching Keychain on, but a small dialog box advises confirmation "pending". After a time Keychain reverts to inactive. This behaviour indicates the passwords are correct but an unidentified factor is causing password failure.

This problem is a nuisance, not a life or death issue. I would like to solve it if possible simply to have a clean operating system. I can use the 2019 iMac for emails but why use two macs when one is enough?

I need advice from someone with an intimate knowledge of Apple installer packages, Apple installer downloading procedures and how they interact with OSX 10.9 and 10.10.

 

[bradman83]

Given that Apple just recently raised the minimum system requirement for iCloud from 10.12 to 10.13 you’ll probably experience more and more issues trying to keep iCloud up and running.

Does Adobe CS4 and the printer drivers you need work with El Capitan 10.11? That was the first version to support MFA which would resolve the workaround of having to append the six digit MFA code onto the end of the password. That might resolve some of the issues with the initial login.

You can also try creating a per-app password for specific apps and specific functions you want to use, like mail. You should then be able to log into your mail using the per-app password, though it’s possible the default macOS mail app won’t support this and that you’d might need to use a third party email app like Thunderbird.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Given that Apple just recently raised the minimum system requirement for iCloud from 10.12 to 10.13 you’ll probably experience more and more issues trying to keep iCloud up and running.

Does Adobe CS4 and the printer drivers you need work with El Capitan 10.11? That was the first version to support MFA which would resolve the workaround of having to append the six digit MFA code onto the end of the password. That might resolve some of the issues with the initial login.

You can also try creating a per-app password for specific apps and specific functions you want to use, like mail. You should then be able to log into your mail using the per-app password, though it’s possible the default macOS mail app won’t support this and that you’d might need to use a third party email app like Thunderbird.

Thank you for the thoughtful response Bradman83.
From memory, CS5 does not run without glitches on El Capitan. I need CS 6 for that. So I regard Yosamite as the limit for an effective system.

The frustrating fact is the iCloud six figure verification system works but for the T&C glitch.

Thanks for the tip with Thunderbird. I will also experiment with El Capitan and determine software limits. Thank you for your help.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Thank you for the thoughtful response Bradman83.
From memory, CS5 does not run without glitches on El Capitan. I need CS 6 for that. So I regard Yosamite as the limit for an effective system.

The frustrating fact is the iCloud six figure verification system works but for the T&C glitch.

Thanks for the tip with Thunderbird. I will also experiment with El Capitan and determine software limits. Thank you for your help.

Update:
To anyone else enjoying OSX 10 series, I have made some small progress isolating cause of this issue.
Signing in to icloud and or Configuring Mail created responses such as "password unrecognised" to a window, "protocol 2 Default ButtonLabel mme.setupservices.SetupServiceJS. OK Body UNAUTHORISED ErrorID (etc.)"

I understand this to suggest a possible error with JavaScript. I reinstalled JavaScript. I installed legacy Java SE 6 runtime as an Adobe article explains, after OSX 10.7 Java runtime is no longer automatically installed.

I also decided to create a fresh Apple ID so I could be sure that at server end there was no ID corruption.

The result is that upon OSX restart which requests confirmation of Apple ID, entering the new ID Results in the verification window opening on 2019 iMac with six figure verification number which, when entered, results in 12.2 request confirmation window closing naturally without returning "password unrecognised ".

I interpret this behaviour to confirm your point Bradman83 suggesting ID verification process is working but iCloud is broken. In every other respect it seems Mavericks and Yosamite are functioning properly.
Whether the breakage is due entirely to the glitch preventing T&C approval or whether that is a merely a symptom of some other cause is impossible for me to determine.

 

[Terraaustralis]

Given that Apple just recently raised the minimum system requirement for iCloud from 10.12 to 10.13 you’ll probably experience more and more issues trying to keep iCloud up and running.

Does Adobe CS4 and the printer drivers you need work with El Capitan 10.11? That was the first version to support MFA which would resolve the workaround of having to append the six digit MFA code onto the end of the password. That might resolve some of the issues with the initial login.

You can also try creating a per-app password for specific apps and specific functions you want to use, like mail. You should then be able to log into your mail using the per-app password, though it’s possible the default macOS mail app won’t support this and that you’d might need to use a third party email app like Thunderbird.

Conclusion:
Further experiment along the lines you suggested Bradman83,
I installed El Capitan and was pleasantly surprised to find updating OSX version functioned and I am now using 10.11.6.
Connection to iCloud appears more successful with Apple ID recognised and acknowledged, but password for Mail is unrecognised. I shall try re-installation of new password. Apple registration for software tries to work but Safari is unsupported so no automatic registration possible.

Font Agent 6 works; Epson R2400 works; Microtek Artixscan M1 works with Vuescan 9.5.48 and Scan Potter.
CS5 Suite loaded, fonts linked, Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator all appear to be working but thorough testing will take time as I use the software.

I can access Apple Store, iTunes and Mail software but in all cases my password is unrecognised by the servers If only because Safari is unsupported.

So no Mail service unless I adopt Thunderbird as you suggested. My options are simple!
Thank you Bradman83.