Mac Os High Sierra wont start

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Level 1

43 points

Mac Os High Sierra wont start

I have a Mac Pro mid 2010 and three disks with Mas os on all of them in different Mac os versions.

Then I installed a new ssd disk and installed Mac Os High Sierra. So far so good.

I then changed all file permissions to Read/Write on all files on the disk that had the *Mac os I last used so I did have to set password all the time I copied a file there.

But when I tried to start the *Mac on that disk because I should export some mysql databases, the Mac boots up but never finish. Then Apple logo and the grey line did go all the way but it wont start.

Then I set the file permission back to wat it was before (for the whole disk) and tried to start, but the same happens. It wont start up.

Is this just completely random and has nothing to do with file permissions?

The same disk with the *Mac os has two other partition with Mac os and I changed file permission also there and I cant start Mac os on those partition any more either.

Someone that can come up with a solution?

Kind Regards

Tom Løkka

Mac Pro, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 1, 2020 1:44 AM

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Answer 1

cp from OH

Community Specialist

May 1, 2020 5:24 PM in response to Tom Løkka

Hey Tom Løkka,

If I understand correctly, you have 3 partitions on a disk and none of them boot to the desktop. One thing you can do is to boot using safe mode. You can also try to reset the home folder permissions.

"If the issue continues in safe mode

If the issue continues while in safe mode, or your Mac restarts several times and then shuts down while starting up in safe mode, you should reinstall macOS and make sure that your Apple software and third-party apps are up to date.

If the issue doesn't continue in safe mode

If the issue doesn't continue while in safe mode, leave safe mode by restarting your Mac normally. Then test for the issue again. The issue might be resolved.

If the issue returns after leaving safe mode, startup items are probably at fault. Apps can install such items in numerous places, and they aren't always easy to find or recognize. For that reason, you should first make sure that you've installed any available updates for your Apple software and third-party apps.

If updating your software doesn't help, try any of these solutions:

Test your login items
Test with another user account
Unplug all accessories from your Mac, including printers, drives, USB hubs, and other nonessential devices. You could have an issue with one or more of those devices or their cables.
Reinstall macOS

If you still need help, please contact Apple Support."

How to use safe mode on your Mac

"Reset permissions

If the issue started after changing the permissions of items in your home folder , use these steps to reset permissions.

Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R to start up from macOS Recovery.
You might be prompted to enter a password, such as a firmware password or the password of a user who is an administrator of this Mac. Enter the requested password to continue.
When you see the macOS Utilities window, choose Utilities > Terminal from the menu bar.
Type repairHomePermissions in the Terminal window, then press Return. The Repair Home app opens.
Select your user account, click Next, then enter your administrator password. Click Next unlock the volume and begin resetting permissions on your home directory."

Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder

Please don't hesitate to let us know if the steps resolved your issue or if you need additional assistance.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. Have a good one.

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,667 points

May 2, 2020 9:45 AM in response to Tom Løkka

Reinstall the OS to that drive.

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Answer 3

Tom Løkka Author

Level 1

43 points

May 2, 2020 3:11 AM in response to cp from OH

Hi and thanks for answering :)

Yes I have 3 partitions on that disk and none of them boots up after changing the permissions and none of the Mac OS starts in safe mode either.

It won’t start in Safe Mode and when I tried to change the permissions on the Home folder with macOS Recovery, I got an error something like this, «Failed to start underlying task process».

Is there some other way to set the permissions for the Home folder?

I have a Time Machine backup from 30. of january and I installed Mac OS from that date to 1 of the 3 partition, so I am up and running. But I would like to start from the partition I last used (27. of april) because I have some mysql databases I would like to export. But then I run into this problem, it won’t start.

But it is not a big crises. I am just curious if it is possible to fix.

Maybe I can find another way to dump and recover the mysql databases from that disk and import it to my running partition/Mac OS.

If its interesting. Here is the permission for the Home folder on the Mac OS that won’t start:

- system -> Read and write

- wheel -> Only read

- everyone -> Only read

Kind Regards

Tom Løkka

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