Troubleshooting 'Recovery Server Couldn't Be Contacted' Error During High Sierra Hackintosh Installation

The issue where the recovery server can't be contacted during the installation of High Sierra in a Hackintosh setup can be caused by several factors. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:

1. Check the Date and Time Settings: Incorrect date and time settings in your BIOS can cause this problem. Ensure that the date and time are correctly set in your BIOS. You can also set the date via the Terminal in the macOS Utilities screen by using the command date followed by the month, day, hour, minute, and year.

2. Internet Connection: You mentioned that your internet is working through a kext. Ensure that the Ethernet or Wi-Fi kexts are functioning correctly in the recovery environment. Sometimes, the kexts might not work as expected in the recovery mode.

3. USB Installation Media: If the issue persists, try recreating your USB installation media. There might be an issue with the installation files or the way they were copied to the USB drive.

4. DNS Settings: Modify the DNS settings to use Google's DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or another reliable DNS service. This can sometimes resolve issues with connecting to Apple's servers.

5. Clover or OpenCore Configuration: If you are using Clover or OpenCore, make sure your configuration file (config.plist) is correctly set up for High Sierra. The wrong SMBIOS or missing patches can cause issues during installation.

6. Firewall or Network Restrictions: In some cases, network firewalls or restrictions (like those in a corporate or educational network) can block access to Apple's servers. Try using a different network if possible.

7. Apple System Status: Check Apple’s System Status page to ensure that there are no outages or maintenance activities affecting their servers.

8. Hosts File: Check the hosts file on the installation media. Sometimes, entries in the hosts file can prevent connections to Apple's servers.

9. Try a Different Approach: If none of these solutions work, consider downloading the High Sierra installer from the App Store (using a real Mac or another Hackintosh) and creating a new bootable installer.

Remember, while troubleshooting, it's important to make one change at a time and test before making another change. This will help you identify what's causing the issue.