[KyleMart06]

Customer computer in the office right now does not get to the App Store. I have followed all the suggestions in this article (the post from Linc Davis): https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5386620

The computer came in for a bad HD. Replaced that and all was working well on 10.8.5 but for the App Store. Thought it was bad settings from Time Machine Backup. Complete fresh install reveals the same issue. For the sake of troubleshooting, rolled back to 10.6.3 and it can do software updates but still no app store once 10.6.8 is installed. Other macs on the same network can get to the app store so it rules out the network connection.

I have noticed the computer has some graphics which act up a bit but feel like it would be outside of the scope of this issue.

Any help would be wonderfully appreciated.

 

[Lord Xeb]

Even with a fresh install, issue still persists? Have tried doing a PRAM reset? Know this sounds odd, but it does take care of a bunch of functions. How did you restore OSX back onto the system?

I have never encountered this issue before. Generally, if you back everything up, then from an installer (NOT TIME MACHINE) repartition the drive and reinstall OSX, all software issues should be resolved.
You have a separate installer correct?

 

[KyleMart06]

Yep, a wipe of the drive and complete fresh install results in the same issue. I have tried a retail install of 10.6.8 and from creating an install disk of 10.8.5. Both result in the App Store not having connection. I am about to call it logic board from the graphics issues. I am not sure what else it could be.

The 10.8.5 version of the issue is strange because I can select all the options across the top and they will stay blue. Just very weird....

I did do a PRAM reset and left it unplugged for a good bit of time for the SMC.

 

[Lord Xeb]

Can you give me a picture of the graphics issue if possible? That is what it sounds like to me.

 

[The Hundred Gunner]

I would not say that other systems making proper connection rules out network connectivity. I have had issues connecting to the App Store several times. A few times it was simply because the App Store was down (I think), but another time it was because I had a firewall rule blocking it for some reason. Not that you have a firewall up on a freshly installed system, but your system might be having issues connecting for some other reason.

People probably get sick of me asking, but have you tried Wireshark? It's important to know what the network traffic looks like if you're troubleshooting a program that depends on networking, and it's a hell of a lot easier than reinstalling the OS and hoping for the best.

 

[Lord Xeb]

That actually is a good idea.

 

[KyleMart06]

I could try out wireshark and see what comes of it. It just seems odd that it would be related to a completely fresh install but you never know.

The fresh install was done using Lion Disk Maker to a USB drive to make the 10.8.5 installer. I did a restore of the 10.6.3 retail disk to a USB drive to install that OS.

I will go get a pic of the graphics issues and post them. It is like the red part of the pixels is stuck on somewhat. I think I will also run the ASD for this computer and see if that comes up with anything. To be continued....

 

[KyleMart06]

Running the ASD now. Will see what happens.

Here is what App Store looks like in 10.8.5. You can select all the categories and they just stay blue.


You can kind of see the graphics anomalies. Most of it is a light shading of icons. When starting to the AST, a completely black screen has a red tint to it. I don't have a picture of that.

 

[Lord Xeb]

That is a video card issue. If you go into single user mode and you have anything other color than black, it is a video card failure. High possibility that may also have something to do with the why the App Store doesn't work either. The App Store and eve iMessages have authentication with Apple's services that require for the serial number, logic board ROM and serial to all match. If nothing matches correctionly due to some kind of authentication failure, you will get what you are having now.

How do I know this? One word: Hackintosh

I learned more trying to get things to work than actually fixing anything XD

If you still have issues with the App Store after replacing the logic board, then i would contact TSPS and see what they have to say.

 

[KyleMart06]

I was leaning toward this Xeb. Thank you for helping to clarify. It is a 2009 iMac so it is not the newest ever. I will have to call them tomorrow when they are open. Will see what they want to do.

 

[Lord Xeb]

The 2009 units I see a lot of video cards fail in. Kinda sucks but it is what it is. :/ The 4670s are usually what is in them are notorious for failing.

 

[KyleMart06]

Yeah, I have heard about these iMacs failing with the graphics card. I will verify what is in the iMac but will be making that call. Thank you again for the help.

 

[KyleMart06]

As a little update, I booted the iMac this morning and it actually has the Nvidia 9400 graphics chip on the logic board. It is not the AMD issue. It is also black in single user mode. The graphics must heat up or something to cause the anomalies. Something is still very wrong with the computer though so I am going to suggest a logic board...