OK. So, I would be performing a Safe Boot, if I am unable to get through the normal boot. Which tells me that I an unable to follow the "Turn Off FileVault 2" steps outlined. Am I missing something?
You cannot boot the OS in Safe Mode when FileVault is enabled. Are you unable to boot the system? If so then at what point does the problem occur?
I was unable to successfully boot, which is the only time I would envision using Safe Mode. Tate there other practical situations where Safe Mode is used and one is able to fully boot their Mac? I can't image any. That's really my question.
I believe the problem with Safe Boot and FileVault 2 was fixed in Mac OS X 10.7.4. I am able to perform a Safe Boot to start up in Safe Mode with FileVault enabled on a Mac running Mac OS X 10.7.4.
In Mac OS X 10.7 through 10.7.3 it appears that one either (a) could not perform a Safe Boot with FileVault enabled or (b) that no indication of Safe Boot was provided. I suspect (a) since a "Safe Boot" notification started appearing in the upper-right side of the Login Window when I perform a Safe Boot under Mac OS X 10.7.4.
I believe the AppleCare Knowledge Base article "OS X Lion: How to perform a Safe Boot if FileVault 2 is enabled" only applies to Mac OS X 10.7-10.7.3. I've sent feedback indicating that the article should be updated as it appears this problem was corrected in Mac OS X 10.7.4.
Unfortunately, no indication of this change was provided in the "About the Mac OS X 10.7.4 Update" document.
Dr. Smoke
Author, Troubleshooting Mac OS X
I'm running 10.7.5. It still appears that an actual Safe Boot login isn't possible, although the Shift key during startup DOES cause the application- and font caches to be cleared, etc. After the volume is checked and caches are cleared, the system reboots and one logs in as usual. The Apple docs suggesting that one disables FileVault to do a Safe Boot are misleading and incomplete. Disabling FileVault is only necessary when one absolutely must log in with login items disabled for troubleshooting.
Hi,
You need to hold the shift key during reboot from hearing the chime until the logon screen for file vault appears.
After you logon, you will see the progress bar at the boot signifying a Safe Boot sequence.
Hope this helps
Is Safe-boot broken by FileVault 2?
