Can't log in - FileVault error

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Level 1

10 points

Can't log in - FileVault error

Well, I just installed Leopard an hour or so ago and everything went smoothly.
It installed, I logged into my account, and everything was great. But a few minutes ago, I reboot and when OS X booted back up, I was unable to log into my account.

It told me my FileVault needed to be repaired, so I click ok, and then it tells me:
"You are unable to log in to the user account [name] at this time"
Rebooting again did nothing.
I only have that account, and a guest account, which can't access any account preferences... so I can't even set up a new account.

Any help? I'm a little panicked here 😟

MacBook Pro 15" (2,2), Mac OS X (10.5), 2.33GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD

Posted on Oct 26, 2007 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 26, 2007 12:38 PM in response to B Summers

You might be in deep doodoo if you don't have a bootable backup/clone. IIRC, one should never upgrade with FileVault enabled. All I can suggest is to search these forums for filevault and *file vault* and see what pops up. Good luck.

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Answer 2

dstall

Level 1

0 points

Oct 26, 2007 1:07 PM in response to B Summers

Don't feel bad - same thing happen to me - If I find a fix I'll post it

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Answer 3

Oct 26, 2007 1:42 PM in response to B Summers

you should be able to do an Archive and Install Without preserving. Set up a new account, go into /Previous Systems/<todays date/time>/Users/ and see your encrypted home folder which should come up as an encrypted image file. When you try and open it, it will ask for your password. Then copy your files from the encrypted image file to your new home folder. And if you still want to, re-enable filevault in your new user account with your old stuff.

PS, this is what i wold do in Tiger, should work for Leopard

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 26, 2007 1:54 PM in response to macgeek.ca

Might work. Just ensure that when the computer restarts and goes through the Setup Assistant, that you use the same username/password combo for your account. That'll minimize ownership/permissions problems moving the FileVault data if you can successfully mount the image.

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Answer 5

Oct 26, 2007 2:14 PM in response to B Summers

same problem here: after updating the password to my accout (administrator rights) doesn't work anymore. I can login under another account or even as root. But even when I change the password for my main account there, it still doesn't work.

This looks like its developing into a disaster once more people will do their updates tonight...

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Answer 6

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 26, 2007 2:44 PM in response to Frank1968

I suggest that everyone file a bug report/enhancement request via Apple's Bugreporter system to ensure a warning pops up to turn off FileVault. Join the Apple Developer Connection (ADC)—it's free and available for all Mac users and gets you a look at some development software. Since you already have an Apple username/ID, use that. Once a member, go to Apple BugReporter and file your bug report/enhancement request.

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Answer 7

Oct 26, 2007 2:48 PM in response to baltwo

forgot to mention: I'm not using FileVault. And I'm glad I don't.

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Answer 8

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 26, 2007 3:08 PM in response to Frank1968

Then, your problem's different and you should start your own thread. BTW, you might want to look at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=121786&tstart=0 for a possible solution.

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Answer 9

Oct 26, 2007 3:17 PM in response to B Summers

It sounds like Frank1968 updated his user password just before having problems logging in. Did the other couple of people who saw this also change their password? If you boot single user mode(or login as your guest account) is your home directory (or the FileVault file) still there?

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Answer 10

B Summers Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 26, 2007 3:35 PM in response to B Summers

I called Apple's technical support and the technician walked me through a procedure. I don't remember exactly what we did, but we accessed the Mac in root mode and typed in a few codes.
In the end, the account's FileVault was deactivated and I was able to log in, however, all my files were still within a .sparseimage file. I was able to mount this (although it told me it was damaged and I probably shouldn't) and was able to copy all my files over.
However, I'm still unable to delete the .sparseimage file... and there's about 40GB of stuff there.
If you have this problem, I highly suggest you call up Apple and get them to walk you through what they did for me... This is an emerging issue with Leopard, so it would seem.

EDIT: I was able to delete the .sparseimage after. After a little poking around, I notice I only had Read access to my home folder, not Read & Write. Changed that and trashed the file.

In conclusion, if you're upgrading to Leopard from Tiger, turn off FileVault first

Message was edited by: B Summers

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Answer 11

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Oct 26, 2007 4:58 PM in response to B Summers

*I don't remember exactly what we did*

Taking copious notes of any problem solving steps is advised. However, you didn't, but suspect that one of these was the problem: a corrupted FileVault image or lack of space to disable. The solution you received is probably contained in one of these:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1872713
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25773
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301416
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303617
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305454
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1908.html
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1877.html
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1166826&tstart=0
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050326041757989

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Answer 12

turkito

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2007 8:25 AM in response to B Summers

Same problem with me.

I think related to the amount of free space available at the time of update to Leopard but not really sure. Can't think of a solution really (to recover anything at all)

How could you release such an important update and do not automatically manage the fact that many people use FileVault on theirs laptops and take care of it somehow from the installer?

Now tell me what are we suppose to do.

Thanks

PS. I wait listening music on my iPod.

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