Macbook Air Login Problem

I'm having problems logging into my Macbook Air. Originally it was my father's machine. I changed the password for my wife to use and everything was fine.


Now it won't let me in. This happened after i tried to upgrade the OS to the latest system. The install failed at the final hurdle.


Now i'm stuck. The Recovery Assistant won't let me proceed. When i try and reset the password it says "failed" and "there are no users on this volume to recover"

I can't even erase the disk, which I'm happy to do as there is nothing on it. When i try to do this it says:-


"Couldn't open device :(-69877)"


I'm stuck in a dead end cycle and going nowhere ! Help


I would like to tell you the model but it wont even let me do that i think 2015 from memory


Posted on Jun 16, 2020 12:28 PM

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2 replies

Jun 16, 2020 1:28 PM in response to Brampton Bodger

If you have a post-2011 model, then give this a try:


Internet/Network Recovery of El Capitan or Later on a Clean Disk


     If possible, back up your files before proceeding.


  1. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the (Command-Option-Shift-R) keys until a globe appears.
  2. The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
  3. Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
  4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size) from the side list.
  5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
  6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
  7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs, only if installing Mojave or Catalina ) or Mac OS Extended, (Journaled.)
  8. Provide a volume name, usually "Macintosh HD."
  9. Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
  10. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
  11. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.


This will install the original version of macOS that came from the factory. You will start up in the Setup Assistant as if you were the first owner. This is what should have been done at the beginning.


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Macbook Air Login Problem

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