And error has occurred

Antipodean57 · Feb 6, 2015

Does anybody have a solution to the problem of not being able to download updates from the Apple Store application?

The download starts (briefly) and then an error message pops up saying, "An error has occurred". Then there is the suggestion to try to download from the purchasers tab. The same error occurs.

All recommended fixes I have found on the net have not solved the issue.

Rod · Feb 6, 2015

Is this just one app and are you using a computer or an iDevice such as an iPad iPhone?
Have you tried downloading a different app? Is it the same for all apps?
How are you connected to the internet? WiFi or cable?
A few details please.

harryb2448 · Feb 6, 2015

And updating what operating system?

Antipodean57 · Feb 6, 2015

Hi Rod, sorry for not providing all the details in my initial post. It was a bit rushed.

I'm using a desktop iMac. I have tried downloading updates of several programs and one new one. All failed with the same error. I'm using Wi-Fi and have done so for the last couple of years. It seems to be functioning correctly with everything else that is Internet related.

I looked through some suggestions on the net, tried them out but failed to get any joy. I looked in my user library, trashed the plist associated with the Apple Store. That didn't help. I then trashed all files associated with the Apple Store in case one of them was corrupt. Again, no luck.

The program I was trying to update was iDraw.

Mac OSX 10.10.1
2.7 GHz Intel core i5
16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Antipodean57 · Feb 11, 2015

Update:
I have my internal hard drive petitioned. I booted from the other petition which has the same OS. I used the Apple Store application on it and was able to download the iDraw update.

When I returned to my regular boot drive and tried the Apple Store application again to download another application, "an error occurred" message returned.

I rebooted from the second petition and now I am getting the error message on the Apple Store application there as well. There does not seem to be any consistent reason. I have run disk utility to check the disk and the permissions, everything checks out. Is there something I have missed?

Rod · Feb 12, 2015

So just to clarify you have two partitions on your Macintosh Hard Drive, both running the same OSX ?
I'm sure you have a good reason but why would you do that?
Anyway it raises a whole bunch of possible reasons for your problem and a similar number of solutions.
To begin with iTunes Store/App Store does not like multiple applications on one computer with both on one account.
I would suggest starting up on the OS on the partition that seems to be working and log out of iTunes and the App store.
Restart on the partition that was not working and log out then back in to iTunes.
It's possible that iTunes sees the two partitions as two separate computers with the same account.
You may even have to Eject the other Partition, I'm assuming you see two HD's on your desktop. If not no problem.
If that allows you to download on the partition you wish to download to then we have solved the problem but not really the cause.

Antipodean57 · Feb 13, 2015

I'm a quadriplegic and use DragonDictate extensively. Unfortunately it does not always play well with new operating systems so I use the second partition to test any new OS X or DragonDictate version before I install it on my "main" partition. I have used the two partitions method on my internal drive since before the days of booting external drives via USB. I don't always have somebody around to plug an external drive into my iMac. The second partition also allows me to do more extensive tests and/or repairs on the main partition, if required.

I followed your instructions carefully but got no joy. I then realised I did not have the latest update installed on my second internal partition. I installed 10.10.2, rebooted and ensured that all other drives were ejected.

I logged into the Apple Store via the application but I did not run the updated version of iTunes (12.1). I was able to download the application I wanted, I also downloaded a freebie Application successfully.

I transferred the apps to the shared folder, rebooted and selected my usual start-up partition. I then moved the applications to the Application folder. Both run without any problems.

I tried the Apple Store application on my usual partition and it still will not work.

Before I run the 10.10.2 update on my regular partition, I need to check DragonDictate will operate with it (on the other partition) I really do not like 10.10 and wish I had stayed with Mountain Lion. ITunes 12 totally sucks.

Thanks for your help and suggestions Rod. Much appreciated. Your suggestions gave me some other ideas to test which gave me a workaround.

Rod · Feb 13, 2015

Thanks for your reply Antipodean57 I thought you must have had a reason for the two partitions but didn't imagine it would be such a good one. I used to be a Registered Nurse and worked in Spinal Rehab in Melbourne for many years so I understand your caution with voice actuated programs. The early versions (1980's) were rubbish. You are probably well ahead of me now but out of interest have you tried the native voice dictation and speech program built into 10.10? If so I would be interested in your opinion.
As to your ongoing app download issue, well I'm glad I was some help but I will think on it a bit more.
I assume you wrote your reply with DD, it seems to have worked very well or did you have to do a lot of edits?;D

Antipodean57 · Feb 13, 2015

Hi Rod, small world. I would not mind betting we have crossed paths at the Austin. I was there from Christmas Eve 1977.

You're right about the early versions of voice recognition. Ilisten was very slow, DragonDictate has improved over time. I have been a beta tester through the last two versions. I would still like to see a number of improvements. Hopefully they will come.

I have not spent much time with the voice recognition abilities of 10.10. Until it's got a simple method for training and editing words and phrases, I will stick with DD. That said I use Siri quite a bit on my iPad. It's just adequate.

Yes, my reply was written with DD. Concentration and patience is important during the initial training but as time goes on, it learns your phraseology pretty well.

I can hear a thunderstorm approaching so I'm going to go off-line and switch everything off. I don't want to turn my iMac into a smoking art form. Cheers and thanks again.