This Mac can't connect to iCloud because of a problem...

[scouser75]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know of a fix for this incredibly irritating problem? I setup a family sharing account for my daughter, but every time she logs in to the Mac she gets this message within a few seconds.

I log in to iCloud Prefs and re-enter her password, but next time round, it occurs again and again and again.

I've even been through all of the steps in this link - including reinstalling the OS. https://appletoolbox.com/mac-cant-connect-to-icloud-here-are-7-ways-to-fix-it/

Any help welcome.

 

[MandiMac]

Which version of macOS is on that Mac?

 

[scouser75]

Which version of macOS is on that Mac?

El Capitan 10.11.6. Unfortunately, I can't go any higher as it's a 2009 Mac Pro.

 

[eric89074]

El Capitan 10.11.6. Unfortunately, I can't go any higher as it's a 2009 Mac Pro.

do You have any other computers she can test her log in on? I‘d create a custom high Sierra installer from dosdude1.com and install it. High Sierra will run fine on a 2009 Mac Pro.

 

[NoBoMac]

Try a different Mac, or, create a different/new account on the Mac and try signing in there. Might help narrow the scope of the problem.

 

[scouser75]

do You have any other computers she can test her log in on? I‘d create a custom high Sierra installer from dosdude1.com and install it. High Sierra will run fine on a 2009 Mac Pro.

I like the sound of that. If I installed High Sierra will it compromise performance or security? Can I be greedy and go higher to Catalina?

Try a different Mac, or, create a different/new account on the Mac and try signing in there. Might help narrow the scope of the problem.

I've tried creating another user account and that was the same. I haven't though tried another mac as I only have the one.

If I feel confident installing dosdudes thing, I might go for a clean install and see if that works.

 

[scouser75]

do You have any other computers she can test her log in on? I‘d create a custom high Sierra installer from dosdude1.com and install it. High Sierra will run fine on a 2009 Mac Pro.

PS If I do install dosdude1's installer, will that wipe everything off my Boot Drive? Photos file, iTunes folder, applications etc? I just want to make sure I'm braced for a full install if needed

 

[velocityg4]

I like the sound of that. If I installed High Sierra will it compromise performance or security? Can I be greedy and go higher to Catalina?



I've tried creating another user account and that was the same. I haven't though tried another mac as I only have the one.

If I feel confident installing dosdudes thing, I might go for a clean install and see if that works.

Any newer OS will likely impact performance some. The biggest hit being if the Mac Pro isn't using and SSD. Dosdude1.com has a Catalina patcher which says it works for a Mac Pro 2008 and newer. Just be aware. Since it is coming from El Capitan. It probably has a bunch of incompatible software.

PS If I do install dosdude1's installer, will that wipe everything off my Boot Drive? Photos file, iTunes folder, applications etc? I just want to make sure I'm braced for a full install if needed

At 13 minutes it seems to indicate that wiping the drive is necessary. Although that may be only for SSD. Haven't looked much into it.

By the way if it doesn't have and SSD. You can get a small 240GB SSD for about $40. It's well worth the price for the significant performance boost. You'll also need a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter which is properly aligned to use the existing drive bays. The existing bays will limit you to SATA II performance. Still not that big of a deal since most of the performance improvements of SSD are from high IOPS. Large file sustained transfer speeds are less important to most people.

ORICO 2.5 SSD SATA to 3.5 Hard Drive Adapter Internal Drive Bay Converter Mounting Bracket Caddy Tray for 7 / 9.5 / 12.5mm 2.5 inch HDD / SSD with SATA III Interface(1125SS)

If so, the ORICO 2.5" to 3.5" Hard Drive Adapter is perfect for you. It turns your 2.5-inch HDD or SSD into a 3.5-inch size. Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux Desktops Supports all 7mm / 9.5mm / 12.5mm 2.5" SATA hard drives, including HDD and SSD. Supports Serial ATA I / II / III. ...

www.amazon.com

 

[scouser75]

Any newer OS will likely impact performance some. The biggest hit being if the Mac Pro isn't using and SSD. Dosdude1.com has a Catalina patcher which says it works for a Mac Pro 2008 and newer. Just be aware. Since it is coming from El Capitan. It probably has a bunch of incompatible software.



At 13 minutes it seems to indicate that wiping the drive is necessary. Although that may be only for SSD. Haven't looked much into it.

By the way if it doesn't have and SSD. You can get a small 240GB SSD for about $40. It's well worth the price for the significant performance boost. You'll also need a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter which is properly aligned to use the existing drive bays. The existing bays will limit you to SATA II performance. Still not that big of a deal since most of the performance improvements of SSD are from high IOPS. Large file sustained transfer speeds are less important to most people.

ORICO 2.5 SSD SATA to 3.5 Hard Drive Adapter Internal Drive Bay Converter Mounting Bracket Caddy Tray for 7 / 9.5 / 12.5mm 2.5 inch HDD / SSD with SATA III Interface(1125SS)

If so, the ORICO 2.5" to 3.5" Hard Drive Adapter is perfect for you. It turns your 2.5-inch HDD or SSD into a 3.5-inch size. Compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Linux Desktops Supports all 7mm / 9.5mm / 12.5mm 2.5" SATA hard drives, including HDD and SSD. Supports Serial ATA I / II / III. ...

www.amazon.com

Thanks mate for the info and link. I'll need to make sure all my software - especially the final cut studio pack - is compatible. Or else I'm in trouble!

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks mate for the info and link. I'll need to make sure all my software - especially the final cut studio pack - is compatible. Or else I'm in trouble!

You're welcome. Better check that editing suite for Mojave and High Sierra as well. If that is the version released prior to 2011.

Find out which of your apps won't work in macOS Mojave

Find out which apps won’t work once you update to Mojave. Check for compatibility issues in macOS Mojave before you upgrade and find out which apps are incompatible.

www.macworld.co.uk

 

[scouser75]

Guys, in the end I just didn't have the balls to go down the Catalina route. Instead, I done a full clean install of El Capitan (almost messed up BIG time, but somehow managed to get through it. Looooooong story short, once I wiped the boot drive clean, I was unable to instal El Capitan from my flash drive).

And after all the stress, guess what.... the "this mac can't connect to iCloud" issue is still there!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh! Bloody Macs!!!!!

 

[velocityg4]

Guys, in the end I just didn't have the balls to go down the Catalina route. Instead, I done a full clean install of El Capitan (almost messed up BIG time, but somehow managed to get through it. Looooooong story short, once I wiped the boot drive clean, I was unable to instal El Capitan from my flash drive).

And after all the stress, guess what.... the "this mac can't connect to iCloud" issue is still there!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh! Bloody Macs!!!!!

Did you try connecting to iCloud first or run Migration Assistant first?

 

[scouser75]

Did you try connecting to iCloud first or run Migration Assistant first?

I didn't buy a new Mac. I only created a new icloud account for my daughter as age got her first ever mobile phone (my old iphone). I set her up under family sharing.

And I connect to icloud every time I get this message. But when I shut down and restart,most times I get the "this Mac can't connect to icloud...." Message.

M one and my wife's icloud accounts are fine though.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I do install dosdude1's installer, will that wipe everything off my Boot Drive? Photos file, iTunes folder, applications etc? I just want to make sure I'm braced for a full install if needed"

There is a bulletproof, ironclad way to protect yourself BEFORE attempting to upgrade.

That is:
Download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, and use either one to create a BOOTABLE CLONED BACKUP on an external drive.

Both are FREE to download and use for 30 days -- this will cost you nothing.

BUT... IF you have a problem with the upgrade... having the cloned backup makes it "child's play" to "get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged".

If you DON'T have a cloned backup, you can still get back, but it won't be easy.

 

[scouser75]

OP wrote:
"I do install dosdude1's installer, will that wipe everything off my Boot Drive? Photos file, iTunes folder, applications etc? I just want to make sure I'm braced for a full install if needed"

There is a bulletproof, ironclad way to protect yourself BEFORE attempting to upgrade.

That is:
Download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, and use either one to create a BOOTABLE CLONED BACKUP on an external drive.

Both are FREE to download and use for 30 days -- this will cost you nothing.

BUT... IF you have a problem with the upgrade... having the cloned backup makes it "child's play" to "get back, get back, get back to where you once belonged".

If you DON'T have a cloned backup, you can still get back, but it won't be easy.

Thank you Fishrrman