MacBook Pro -The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted- Error

[Michale32086]

I have a MacBook Pro here I am trying to install and OS...

I have tried both the COMMAND-R and COMMAND-OPTION-R options.. It tries to install High Sierra, but I always get the "The Recovery Server Could Not Be Contacted" error..

I made an install thumbdrive with High Sierra but I still get the same Recovery Server error...

I did SHIFT-OPTION-COMMAND-R and booted up and it went into a different screen...

It shows these 2 screens in an endless loop..

"Now, I dunno what all that means, but it sounds pretty bad..."
-Tom Cruise A FEW GOOD MEN

Anyone have an idea what that is??

Thanx in advance for any assistance...

 

[Fishrrman]

It would help if you told us WHICH MacBook you have and WHAT YEAR it was made...

Another thought
Connect a WIRED USB mouse and try again...

 

[Michale32086]

DOH!!! I meant to add that... Apologies..

Unfortunately the back has been scratched so that the info is not visible...

Would I be able to get that info from the serial number?? It's readable...

Thanx for the reply....

 

[Fishrrman]

There are some websites that can take a serial number and tell you which year the Mac was made:

Lookup Mac Specs By Serial Number, Order, Model & EMC Number, Model ID @ EveryMac.com

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup - lookup Apple Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad specs by serial number, order number, model number, model ID, EMC number and more.

everymac.com

 

[NoBoMac]

It's OOOLD: top image has a SuperDrive in it. So, 2012 or earlier.

Apple Adding Last MacBook Pro With CD Drive to Vintage Products List

Apple will be adding the Mid 2012 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro to its vintage products list on January 31, according to an internal memo obtained...

www.macrumors.com

Released in June 2012, this 13-inch MacBook Pro model was the last Mac with a built-in CD/DVD drive sold by Apple. It remained for sale until October 2016 as a lower-priced option alongside the thinner 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina display.

[EDIT: corrected, see below]

As to the problem: maybe internal clock is way off? Boot into recovery, bring up terminal, enter with appropriate values:

date mmddHHMMyyyy

The command:
date 061316271985
sets the date to "June 13, 1985, 4:27 PM".

 

[chrfr]

It's OOOLD: top image has a SuperDrive in it. So, 2012 or earlier.

The top image is that of a Magic Trackpad, it's not a Mac. That slot is the bluetooth antenna port on the trackpad.

 

[NoBoMac]

Ah! Good to know. Thought it was odd that there was a power button on the left-front of a MB[P].

 

[Fishrrman]

Still waiting to hear from OP re the serial number lookup...