STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!

Question

Level 1

5 points

STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!

I have an i7 27" iMac all in one (2010) OS is Snow Leopard (all updated etc.)

In one of my genius moves while going through and "securing" my computer I messed with my HD volume and adjusted the permissions. I "think" I adjusted it to "NO ACCESS" for all users but did leave it at Read & Write for admin which obviously is me.

My machine will not boot...comes up to white screen and the apple logo comes up but it just hangs.

Did a search and booted up command - S and ran a diagnostic....it says that everything is ok but of course I cannot get in.

Anybody know a fix to access my computer and to correct through command - S?

Altenatively

As luck should have it I am configuring a new MacBook Pro and have transferred some of my files.

I would just wipe the drive clean on the desktop and do a restore from disk but there are some things that I do not have backed up and would love to retrieve first.

1. All the content in iPhoto

2. All the content in iMovie

3. Some docs from "documents" (actually may have them all already but would like to verify)

I should mention that I do have Windows 7 on my machine and can succesfully boot up to Windows

Through Windows I searched through "Mac HD" and cannot seem to find the content I'm looking for. Strategy would be to locate the content and then save to a disk which could then transfer the pics etc onto the MB pro (2013 Lion) -or- my MB Air (Snow Leopard 2010, updated)

Help Please!!

iMac 27, Mac OS X (10.6.4), i7 iMac & a companion MBA 13" Base conf.

Posted on Oct 20, 2013 8:19 AM

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Answer 1

MVardy

Level 1

9 points

Oct 20, 2013 9:31 AM in response to Tooling

Try booting to safe mode. If you can, right click Macintosh HD, and reset the permissions. If you can't boot to safe mode, boot up to your install DVD (Snow Leopard) holding "C" and go to Utilities>Reset Password Utility, in here its a place to reset your admin password, you want to click on "reset acls". Try that.

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Answer 2

Oct 20, 2013 9:49 AM in response to Tooling

Have you tried to repair permissions booting from the Snow Leopard installation disk?

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Answer 3

Tooling Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 20, 2013 10:39 AM in response to MVardy

Thank you both...none of these things worked

Now I'm getting nervous as the machine will not boot from the disk...it hangs and then ejects the install CD.

I tried safe mode and the bar at the bottom comes up and goes through its cycle but then goes to the apple and hangs.

I can get in with the Command-S but do not know how to proceed from that point

...not liking this

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Answer 4

MVardy

Level 1

9 points

Oct 20, 2013 10:44 AM in response to Tooling

If it hangs and ejects the disk, there is most likely something wrong with your optical drive or the disk itself. Also there is a CHANCE the startup disk is full.

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Answer 5

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 20, 2013 12:35 PM in response to Tooling

Once booted from a suitable install dvd, you can backup some/all files with Disk Utility :

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1553

If you've no usable DVD - consider Target Disk Mode : http://support.apple.com/kb/PH3838 either to another disk or with migration/setup assistant on the new computer.

If all you did was change 'everyone' to 'no access' then after mounting the filesystem in SUM with

'mount -uw /'

you should be able to use

'chmod o+rx /' to restore access.

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Answer 6

Oct 20, 2013 12:45 PM in response to Tooling

Tooling wrote:

Thank you both...none of these things worked

Now I'm getting nervous as the machine will not boot from the disk...it hangs and then ejects the install CD.

I tried safe mode and the bar at the bottom comes up and goes through its cycle but then goes to the apple and hangs.

I can get in with the Command-S but do not know how to proceed from that point

...not liking this

Make sure the DVD is not dirty, smudged and/or scratched.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2000Mac doesn't start up from install disc

*** Your drive may need cleaning. Cleaning kits can be purchased from any store that sells CD/DVDs. ***

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