Failed to personalize error RESOLVED

TidBITS Talk
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A very brief summary. Since OS 13.6 (Dec 2023), every time I tried to install new system software, I would get an error called “failed to personalize.” There is a saga of this in the archives.
No amount of work by an authorize apple repair center could resolve it. Finally, after showing up three times over two weeks with the error, I PLEADED with them to physically replace the “mother” board. It took 14 days. I am outside the USA and that added to the delay, the complications, etc.

The board that was replaced holds the internal SSD RAM. The SSD drive was not replaced. OS 15.4.1 came out and I was very very apprehensive to install it. I feared the error would return. Last night, I clicked on the install and went to sleep. This morning, 15.4.1 was installed. Maybe I can declare victory?

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The new board fixed the problem and it has not recurred. I went back to the local Apple Store some months after the board was replaced because I happen to be in the area and thought they would like to hear that their work was a success.

I was told the following: The board was returned to Apple Ireland for autopsy. A defect in one solder connection was found, and repaired, and the board functioned as designed. The board was kept in house instead of being returned to the replacement parts system.”

It also appears that the thread concerning this problem has been updated with the results that Apple Ireland noted.

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