I Cannot Complete Single User Mode (fsck)!!

Yes, do the stand alone update rather than using Software update:
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosxupdate1041.html

Repair your premissions-
Wait for 4.2 which is coming soon.

I do wonder if it would let you startup in Open Firmware?

Troubleshooting can last forever and ever and ever.

Good luck- I hope to have a new iMac in about a month

Renae

Hi!
Firstly sorry for my english.
I've bought the same computer as you in July, and the last day I tried to install AppleJack and when I tried to start it I realized that I cannot use the single-user mode as you said. I have the keyboard and the mouse bluetooth but I have another ones with wire so I try it again with no results... So I erase the disk and I installed the hole system again and I installed all the updates and without any kind of third part software in my new system I try again to run the single-user mode and I get the same message as you... I've looking for at the internet without results... I don't know what can it be, and with the last update 10.4.2 I couldn't repair it so I'm so sad because if I had problems in my system I wouldn't be able to repair them... I thought that it's a problem with the hardware and I do the hole process Apple Hardware Test that it took me about 2 hours because the huge number of memory that I have installed, and all the process pass without problems, so I'm very confused.
I thought that only was happen to me but I see that I'm not the one.
I'll try to find out about this problem and when I know something I'll post here ok? Thanks and Luck.
Bye
😉

Whoa! There might be alternatives to fsck. Maybe. There should be.

You can't do fsck while you are using a wireless keyboard, because the bluetooth drivers haven't loaded in single user mode, and the keyboard isn't recognized. Shut down before changing to a USB keyboard (the wireless mouse is useless and not needed for single-user mode), While still shut down, probably best to unplug other FireWire and USB devices (especially any hubs). Restart while holding down Cmd-S. Should work now. Maybe.

I think you can accomplish the equivalent of fsck simply by booting into Safe Mode, even with your wireless keyboard and mouse attached (Apple, you do load the Bluetooth driver in Safe Mode, right?). To get to Safe Mode, reboot or restart while holding down the Shift key. By the time you see the desktop and so on, reboot normally -- your Mac will have checked the directory for errors and done pretty much what fsck would have done. (You may need to hold down the power button to shut down, if the wireless keyboard can't command a reboot.) Caveat: If the Bluetooth driver drops out before the Shift key is recognized during restart, this won't work either.

Haven't checked, but I suspect Apple does load the bluetooth drivers when booting off your Installation DVD (if they didn't, they should have!), so I think that can be done even with wireless keyboard and mouse. In System Preferences, select the Installation disk as startup. Boot from that, get to disk utility and run the disk repair option. Again, essentially the same as fsck.

I was thinking about all this when I decided to stick with the standard USB keyboard & mouse. 😀

my wife has the same problem with her iMac. She's had it since the 17/20 inch models came out ... 10.3.x. Anyway, I've called support and they don't know what to do. The system seesm to run fine anyway. I haven't even booted to the install CD to do any repairs. I think you're past the point of diminishing returns in terms of time/effort doing all this re-installs.

Hi howhow,

My next step would be to BOTH reset the SMU (disconnect the computer from teh mains for a few minutes) and reset the PRAM (boot up with command option p r keys depressed), to reset the USB controller if you haven't already . Once you have done so keep that usb hub (nasty probelms with some usb hubs) and other usb devices off the computer until you have tested it again.

You might also want to try turning off bluetooth and working only with a genuine wired Mac keyboard . If your "wired" keyboard is not an Apple one it may simply not be able to be used for a Single User Mode startup either (many can't).

Cheers

Rod

Hi Everybody!
Today I've tried to run the single user mode again and I've been so surprised when I realized that I have prompt, but when I've written something I couldn't because I'm fool and I've been used the BT keyboard, so I plugged the USB Keyboard and the system gave me an error. After that I've reboot the system and the next times I could only see the same error as howhow and me have said.

Hi!
I've been able to use the single user mode 😀
First of all I disconnect BT from control panel in Tiger (but this step I don't know if it's neccesary).
Then reboot your system with an Apple USB Keyboard and unplug from the AC. Wait some minutes. After that power on the iMac and press Command option+pr to reset the pram when it comes to boot again press command+s to use the single user mode. Once you have done it you might see the same error but if your keyboard lights (caps lock green led) press any key and you will have the prompt. It works for me so try it and if you can do it reply this message.
Good luck.
bye 😉

Today, Apple has released an update for Mac OS X >> 10.4.3 and as it says in this link >>> http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301984 <<< the wireless keyboard has been improved for work in the single-user-mode. It would be true? I hope so. If I have time, I will probe it.
bye
😉

/* "There's no place like /~" */

I tried and i can't make it work even if 10.4.3 is reported to allow Apple Wireless Keyboards to work in single-user mode.

Worked for me though.
Many thanks but none to Apple. Load the drivers in single user mode !!!
People might want to use Applejack.