DGoetz

Q: Blue Screen on Mac - Forgot FileVault Password

I turned on my mac and the screen was just blue. A common problem, I know. However, when I turned the mac on in safe mode I was prompted to enter my FileVault password, which I can't remember. I read that you could install the software from the cd again, is that true? Is there any way for me to fix this computer?!

iMac

Posted on Aug 8, 2013 10:33 AM

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Q: Blue Screen on Mac - Forgot FileVault Password

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 8, 2013 11:05 AM in response to DGoetz
    Level 10 (123,618 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 11:05 AM in response to DGoetz

    Hello, if you forgot the Filevault PW, everything in that User's account may be lost forever.

     

    Could be many things, we should start with this...

     

    "Try Disk Utility

     

    1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.

    2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at the top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)

    Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.

    3. Click the First Aid tab.

    4. Select your Mac OS X volume.

    5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."

     

    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

  • by DGoetz,

    DGoetz DGoetz Aug 8, 2013 11:53 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 11:53 AM in response to BDAqua

    Thanks for answering!

       

    I don't need anything from the account, I just want to wipe the computer and start over. I don't have the install disc either unfortunately. I downloaded a .dmg file of snow leopard but it's too big to put on a flash drive or DVD so I can't go that route either.

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 8, 2013 12:27 PM in response to DGoetz
    Level 10 (123,618 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 12:27 PM in response to DGoetz

    Sorry, have to post to see your latest reply... a bug in Apple's Jive SW.

  • by BDAqua,Solvedanswer

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 8, 2013 12:30 PM in response to DGoetz
    Level 10 (123,618 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 12:30 PM in response to DGoetz

    You can't wipe the drive without an Install Disc, & wouldn't want to if you could, without one.

     

    Try making a new admin user...

     

    Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...

     

    http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/

     

    Admin Hack...

     

    http://www.hackmac.org/?q=node/4

     

    Starts up like the first time you buy a new Mac, but after filling in all that info again, you should have access to the computer and the other Users & files will still be there... give the new User a different name than an existing one.

  • by DGoetz,

    DGoetz DGoetz Aug 8, 2013 12:46 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 12:46 PM in response to BDAqua

    That didn't work unfortunately, followed the steps exactly. I started the computer up after following those steps and it just went to the blue screen. So i suppose I have to get the cd and install it.

  • by DGoetz,

    DGoetz DGoetz Aug 8, 2013 1:29 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 1:29 PM in response to BDAqua

    I made a new account and get access safe mode without problems. I don't have a CD to put in though. Is there any way I can try to fix it in safe mode/without the CD?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Aug 8, 2013 1:54 PM in response to DGoetz
    Level 10 (123,618 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 1:54 PM in response to DGoetz

    Great news, I think we're nearly there!

     

    Safe Mode allows you to choose a user to loginto other than the one set in System>Preferences>Accounts, so go there in Safe Mode, unlock the lock, click on Login Options & change Automatically login... to the new username.

  • by DGoetz,

    DGoetz DGoetz Aug 9, 2013 8:45 AM in response to DGoetz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 9, 2013 8:45 AM in response to DGoetz

    I got past there, but I still can't fix the blue screen without the CD it looks like. Every once in a while the computer is loading up then freezing within 5 minutes. We're making some strides though.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Aug 9, 2013 9:55 AM in response to DGoetz
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Aug 9, 2013 9:55 AM in response to DGoetz

    Restore Tiger 10.4 & Leopard 10.5  DVDs ( and more recent versions of OS X ) are available from Apple by calling 800-767-2775 as of January 20, 2013. Have your serial number ready. Have your credit card ready too.  There is a small fee.

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0

     

    blue apple > System Preferences... > disk utility

    repair permission on the startup drive.