bmcsmike777

Q: Mountain Lion only boots into Recovery mode after using iCould lock

Hi everyone!

 

I have searched the forums for hours now, but I can't seen to find an answer to my question, so I'd like to ask it.

 

 

Recently my system partition failed due to frequent kernel panics caused by a cable in the screen I think. The kernel panics still occur, but I don't know what to do with them.

 

I managed to save my files and reinstall my osx, which is Snow Leopard (the disc came with the computer). Then I wanted to install my purchased copy of Lion through Appstore, but it said it's no longer available in my country and I couldn't download it again.

 

Then I decided to buy a copy of Mountain Lion which I tried to install. I managed to do it, and I tried to explore my new operation system.

I tried the iCloud app as well, including the Lock. It locked the computer, and rebooted, but ever since I couldn't unlock it.

When it asks for the password I enter it and it accepts it, but doesn't unlock, only lets me into Recovery mode. Now I reinstalled the whole thing over again and when the Mountain Lion install finishes, it only boots into the Recovery HD without asking.

 

So if I reboot my computer, no matter what I do it only boots into Recovery Mode.

 

Please help!!

 

Mike

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jun 16, 2013 9:06 AM

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Q: Mountain Lion only boots into Recovery mode after using iCould lock

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  • by stevejobsfan0123,

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Jun 16, 2013 9:09 AM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 8 (43,767 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 16, 2013 9:09 AM in response to bmcsmike777

    Try holding the option key while booting and select your main HD. If that does not work you may have to use the "Reinstall OS X" function of the Recovery HD.

  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 9:19 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 9:19 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123

    I tried them several times.

     

    Booting with holding the option key gives me a blank box to type in my PIN (still!), and it looks like a normal password box, not the iCould Lock style.

     

    The Reinstall OS X function in Recovery HD gives me the error message: "This copy of Install Mountain Lion application is damaged, and can't be used to install OS X."

  • by stevejobsfan0123,

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Jun 16, 2013 9:21 AM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 8 (43,767 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 16, 2013 9:21 AM in response to bmcsmike777

    In that case, try running Disk Utility from the Recovery HD and repair the disk.

  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 9:36 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 9:36 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123

    Did it, completed and says:

    The volume Macintosh HD appears to be OK.(in green)

    Volume repair complete.

    Updating boot support partitions for the volume as requested.

     

    Still can't boot into anything (normal, Safe Boot, verbose mode), but Recovery.

     

     

    EDIT:

     

    What I don't understand is, why it never asked me to enter my PIN the way like this: photos.appleinsider.com/lockscreen-110803.jpg

    So I guess it never got unlocked, hence it still doesn't let me boot, and asks the PIN as a password after the option key boot.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 16, 2013 9:57 AM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 9 (71,593 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 16, 2013 9:57 AM in response to bmcsmike777

    Where did you find an iCloud app?

     

    Do you have a backup, hopefully more than one?

     

    In the Recovery Volume, select Terminal and enter

     

    resetpassword

     

    Reset your password and test.

  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 10:09 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 10:09 AM in response to Eric Root

    What do you mean where did I find the iCould app?

    The first time I installed Mountain Lion after puchasing it, the iCluld app came with it. Then it got locked, and it is ever since.

     

    I do not have anybackup. I have every data I needed, but the operating system I installed now and can't boot was just a clean install.

     

    I tried "resetpassword", did it and still can't boot into my Macintosh HD, pops me back into Recovery mode.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 16, 2013 10:26 AM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 9 (71,593 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 16, 2013 10:26 AM in response to bmcsmike777

    The reason I asked about the iCloud application is because neither of the 2 computers I have access to have an iCloud application. I was wondering if it was a 3rd party application.

  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 10:32 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 10:32 AM in response to Eric Root

    My Mountain Lion came with it. I just had to set it up with my AppleID.

     

    Any ideas how to unlock it?

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 16, 2013 11:00 AM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 9 (71,593 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 16, 2013 11:00 AM in response to bmcsmike777

    Were you at iCloud.com when you locked the computer, probably using Find My Phone? Did it ask you to choose a pin?

     

    If that is the case and you can't remember the PIN, the only way to unlock your computer is to take it to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Center. The information below is from an Apple support article.

     

    "Only Apple retail stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers can unlock computers protected by a firmware password, such as passwords set with Find My Mac."

     

    The only other alternative I can think of is to completely erase your hard drive using Disk Utility and then reinstall the OS. Unfortunately this would cause you to lose all your data.

  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 11:22 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 11:22 AM in response to Eric Root

    Yes, I locked it on icloud.com, with the Find my Phone application.

    I know my PIN and as I said I entered it several times after booting with option key held down. The only problem it wasn't the unlock screen, just a simple password box, which accepted my PIN, but didn't unlock my computer, nor does it boot.

     

    I already wiped my whole drive with disk utility and reinstalled but as soon as I update Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion it happens again.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 16, 2013 11:56 AM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 9 (71,593 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 16, 2013 11:56 AM in response to bmcsmike777

    Did Snow Leopard work okay? If so, you might want to consider an Apple Genius Bar appointment or an Apple Authorized Service Provider visit, if that is an option.

  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 12:01 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 12:01 PM in response to Eric Root

    Yes! Snow Leopard works fine.

    I don't know why I can't download Lion either. Appstore just doesn't let me to.

    I believe the hard drive is still locked by iCloud even if I wiped it completely and installed Snow Leopard on it. How is that? How can I remove it?

     

    Do you have any idea about my random kernel panics though?

     

     

    Visiting an Apple Store is not really an option since my city doesn't have one and right now I can't travel 2 hours for it.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jun 16, 2013 1:38 PM in response to bmcsmike777
    Level 9 (71,593 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 16, 2013 1:38 PM in response to bmcsmike777

    I was afraid the Apple Store wasn't going to be an option.

     

    Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?

     

    I don't know how to remove it. You can try contacting Apple support through the link below to see if they can help you get this unlocked.

     

    Apple Support Contact

     

    Are the kernal panics new since all this happened?

     

    Here is some information about kernal panics.

     

    Kernel Panics - About

     

    Kernel Panics - Avoiding and Eliminating

     

    Kernel Panics FAQ   


    Kernel Panics FAQ (2)

     

    Kernel Panics - Understanding and Debugging

     

    The articles discuss where kernal panic reports are filed. After you have a kernal panic, copy the report and post it here. Please copy and paste rather than using a screen shot. There are several people who can read them and they can suggest what to do next. Reading kernal panic reports isn't something I've totally figured out yet.

     


  • by bmcsmike777,

    bmcsmike777 bmcsmike777 Jun 16, 2013 2:40 PM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2013 2:40 PM in response to Eric Root

    Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?

     

    Yes. More precisely, now I am able to download it, but when I install it, either a kernel panic occurs or if it finishes it reboots only into Recovery.

     

    Right now I wiped it clean and now I'm running Snow Leopard. If I boot with the option key held the lock comes back again and asks the PIN, but still not in the regular unlocking screen, but in a password box-like screen.

    If I try to install Mountain Lion again, it installs it, and when it'd boot into the system it boots only into Recovery and I can't go anywhere from there.

     

    I'll try contacting Apple Support.

     

     

    Kernel panics started roughly three week ago. They because more and more frequent (4-5 times a day, sometimes more). They occur usually when I move the computer, or I lift it. I'm guessing the cable going to the screen is injured. They came so much, that my HDD couldn't take it anymore and the whole system crashed. I couldn't boot my Lion. Then I saved my data via the Recovery mode and installed Snow Leopard from my DVD. When I wanted to download vie the Appstore the OSX Lion, it said it's no longer available. So I purchased Mountain Lion. I installed it and tried out the iCloud lock and you know the rest.

     

    If more happens I'll post them.

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