Cannot get anything from iTunes Store

[pm-r]

If you don't have a chime (soundless newer Macs), then you have to gauge when the startup process begins, then hold down Shift; or use a wired KB where you can use Shift from the beginning.

I believe I read somewhere on those particular Macs and in that situation to invoke safe boot mode, just wait until the Apple logo appears on screen and then press and hold the shift key.

BTW:
Maybe try this:
How to Fix "Cannot Connect to iTunes Store" | page 1 |

And no shortage of iTunes Store hits of problems and no mention of having to upgrade to Mojave which is just a stupid and unfounded suggestion.
How to Fix "Cannot Connect to iTunes Store" | page 1 |

Gads, maybe I should let the Apple techs know it all seems to work even booting in my Mavericks OS 10.9.5 and iTunes v. 12.6.2.


- Patrick
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[IWT]

to invoke safe boot mode, just wait until the Apple logo appears on screen and then press and hold the shift key.

Yes, that can work but you have to be very quick about it or it's into a normal boot.

Wired KB - from the start.

Thank you Patrick. You're a right decent chap.

Ian

 

[chscag]

I believe I read somewhere on those particular Macs and in that situation to invoke safe boot mode, just wait until the Apple logo appears on screen and then press and hold the shift key.

It doesn't always work Patrick. My iMac is one of those soundless Mac with no Bong on startup. I have found that if I wait until the Apple appears it's too late. However, if I watch the screen closely when it boots the screen will first get dark then lighten up. As soon as it lightens up is when I can press shift, option, or whatever. The screen lightens up slightly before the Apple appears. Works every time for me when I do it that way.

Newer Macs boot very fast because they're equipped with a SSD. A spinning hard drive gives you more time to press shift, option, etc.

 

[pm-r]

My iMac is one of those soundless Mac with no Bong on startup. I have found that if I wait until the Apple appears it's too late. However, if I watch the screen closely when it boots the screen will first get dark then lighten up. As soon as it lightens up is when I can press shift, option, or whatever. The screen lightens up slightly before the Apple appears. Works every time for me when I do it that way.

An excellent hint to tag and file Charlie for those with non-chiming booting Mac models.


- Patrick
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[RavingMac]

I haven’t run into this problem, but this thread is an interesting read and I am awaiting with bated breath culmination of your “cunning plan”

 

[Slydude]

F/U

If you have a Bluetooth (BT) Keyboard and if your Mac still has a chime, wait till you hear the chime before holding down the Shift Key. This is because BT is not recognised/engaged until you hear the chime. Don't hold down Shift from the start. It didn't work.

Ian

Minor swerve the main thread topic: You're right about the Bluetooth keyboard and there are times when that's very frustrating. I've found another solution which seems to work. Take a Bluetooth keyboard and plug its charging cable into the usb port (assuming it charges via USB). For all practical purposes the Mac seems to see this as a wired keyboard. Handy if you don't have any other wired keyboard around.

I've tried it with the Apple keyboard and at least one other third-party keyboard and it seems to work.

 

[IWT]

Great point, Sly! Hadn't thought of that.

BT Keyboards and the Mouse can be temperamental at times - usually when you most need them I always keep a wired Mouse & KB just in case.

@Charlie

As you've kindly joined this thread - what do you think about Apple's advice and my problem?

Ian

 

[pm-r]

Further online chat with Apple who, with due respect, are not giving up on this.

I have repeatedly, and politely, suggested that their advice is incorrect.

I must say that Apple's web page makes everything sound so simple:

Sign in to the App Store and iTunes Store on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, or Apple TV

You only need one Apple ID, and when you sign in with that Apple ID on all of your devices, you get access to all of your iTunes Store purchases.

Get help with billing or subscription issues.

That "Help" link seems to be a bit of a joke.

Anyway, that's what they say here:
Sign in to the App Store and iTunes Store on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, PC, or Apple TV - Apple Support


BTW: I had to open iTunes several times and switch between the various choices before I got any NEW applications to actually show and other than those I had already purchased that kept showing.



- Patrick
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[IWT]

The correspondence with Apple continues. I thought that the reply I got from them yesterday- and I quote exactly - might amuse or at least express a not-so-subtle irony:

"Ian, for the inconvenience, please accept the 5 song credits I’ve issued to your account. You can use these credits to buy 5 songs of your choice from the iTunes Store.

You should see the song credit(s) appear underneath your Apple ID name in the iTunes Store." Signed: Erika - iTunes Store Customer Support

Now, if I could only access the iTunes Store...................

Ian

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Ian, while search isn't working on the Store, what DO you get when you click on Store? Anything in New Music and if so, can you randomly click one of them (I see Drake has a new album called Care Package that came up as the first option) and get the details?

If none of the front page of the Store appears, the issue seems more severe than just an inability to search for specific things.

 

[IWT]

Well, well, well

No sooner posted the above; went to iTunes Store. Nothing.

Then for what seems the hundredth time, signed out of my account, then in again. And lo, it came to pass. The iTunes Store has has granted me access and I've just bought a song with one of my credits!

Seriously. I wonder how that came about. I'm a happy bunny once again

Ian

 

[dtravis7]

Ian, Great news! Glad it's now working. I bet Apple did something on their end. Congrats on the free songs!

 

[IWT]

Ian, while search isn't working on the Store, what DO you get when you click on Store? Anything in New Music and if so, can you randomly click one of them (I see Drake has a new album called Care Package that came up as the first option) and get the details?

If none of the front page of the Store appears, the issue seems more severe than just an inability to search for specific things.

You'll see that things have resolved! In specific answer to your question: for weeks now, I simply got a blank page. Nothing on it. No Front Page. Zilch.

Ian

 

[dtravis7]

You'll see that things have resolved! In specific answer to your question: for weeks now, I simply got a blank page. Nothing on it. No Front Page. Zilch.

Ian

Apple must have done something for it to now work. I still can not believe some apple support person was so clueless that they told you you need the latest Mac OS to now use the iTunes store! I believe I can still access it completely on my old iMac in Mountain Lion!

To be sure I was not just remembering wrong here is a screen shot on Mountain Lion in the iTunes store. Did a quick search for a guitarist I loved as a kid.

 

[IWT]

Thank you Dennis. You must be right.

Constant nagging from me in the politest way imaginable; quietly indicating that their advice that I had to have macOS Mojave was proven to be incorrect by the many users (including my wife) with much earlier version of macOS who were able to access the Store.

I've done nothing new my end. Somebody got the message. Apple changes something.

Thanks for following this lengthy thread and for your input, Dennis - and to all the others who have been as baffled as I and done their utmost to help me.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

might amuse or at least express a not-so-subtle irony: ... ... ...
... ... ...
Now, if I could only access the iTunes Store...................

So funny Ian, but please excuse me fo laughing so hard.

Now all you need is to be able to talk to some actually knowlegable Apple support tech!!!


- Patrick
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[pm-r]

I still can not believe some apple support person was so clueless that they told you you need the latest Mac OS to now use the iTunes store!

I often have to chuckle when the tech's advice is to "update to the latest version" to solve a problem when it was "the latest version" that one just installed that caused to problem in the first place.

Using the latest, "New & Improved" is sure not always a proper solution for many Apple OS (iOS) problems but I guess that's what they are told to say.


- Patrick
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