Unapproved Caller

I have tried this and I cannot get the sick mac to start up in Target mode. Is there something I am missing?

Thanks

You bet your answer is right, but I find it strange that it wouldn't be the the right one in all cases...

If we take in account the people that talked about a cable, disk, or even logic board issue...

I feel this can only be related to a software related cause, and wonder if the error is even documented by Apple, as it appears this issue is barely ever leading to a succesful help by a professional. At least in this manner.

So, credits to you, my friend. You have tow people that already were helped by your post (mine and the guy in teh mac store that was helped trough info in your post).

Thanks once again!

Hello Monya,

You have your computer totally switched off, and relentlessly starting up with the unapproved caller error window?

Then try again I would say. It would be odd if it wouldn't work...

What computer di you have, and what OS is it running?

Be sure to try:

1. sick mac = totally swittched off, has a properly charged battery, and if possible plugged in?

2. Locate the "T" key on your keyboard

3. immediately perform these sonsecutively: press the power on an press the "t" key and hold it until a floating aicon appears (Firewire or Thunderbolt icon)

?

Hi olli,

I have the specifics of the sick mac written down but can't find it at the moment. Off the top of my head it is an Intel Core 2 Duo running Mavericks.

It will not start up in Safe Mode, Recovery Mode or Target Mode. I was able to start up once in Recovery Mode and I ran the Verify and Repair on the drive and then Permissions just in case. Verify and Repair said all appeared fine so I restarted the machine and it wouldn't go past the grey screen with the spinning gear. I have not been able to start up in Recovery since then.

That is when I tried the Target Mode.

Sick Mac = Off

Healthy but older PowerPC G5 Mac running OSX 10.5.3 plugged into Sicky via Firewire 400 to 800 cable.

Turn on Sicky holding down T key. I get grey screen, Apple logo and spinning gears.

Firewire never shows up on Healthy.

I have not yet tried again today.

Any thoughts?

This worked for me with my Mavericks iMac, too. I put it target disk mode, connected it to a Mountain Lion Mac Pro via Firewire, and followed the instructions. The iMac has (so far today) started up and operated without a hitch.

For good measure, I also dumped the startup items that have been setting off an alert about not having the proper security settings, too. All seems good, so far.

Hello Monya,

I'm sorry to hear your seemingly more serious case.

I'd still suspect a software glitch, but it could be hardware related (hard disk) even though the Verify and repair process has turned out to be without any remarks.

This sounds like you really are stuck big time...

What kind of Mac is Sicky? Is it possible to remove the hard disk and perhaps try it as an additional disk in a desktop Mac (preferably not that old) or in an external hard disk tray?

I would try that and even though the disk might not appear on the host Mac, I would open Disk Utility to see if it's listed there. If at all the disk is spinning and alive.

Next I would try 3rd party disk programs... I can give you suggestions if that would appear to be helpfull.

Good luck, fingers crossed!

Singproinc:

Great to hear your success too 🙂

I wouldn't touch that launch deamon file however ... Anything launch deamonish in the /System directory shall be altered with good knowledge.

You might cause a clogged cache folder in that directory we're talking about...

I haven't touched the deamon, and my Mac is still happy as a dog!

************************

PLEASE OBSERVE

***********************

The "folders" path is wrong in my above procedure. I can unfortunately not edit my post.

It should off course be

/var/folders/

sorry 'bout that. I've been mixing this up in my mind apparently. too little sleep these days...

Hi Olli,

The Sicky is an iMac Intel Core 2 Duo so not really possible for me to remove the HD and try it else. I too believe it is a software issue.

I thought about putting a ML install disk in but I am not sure it would except it in that start up spin.

Sad to say I think I am going to have to take it to the shop and hope for the best.

Suggestions for software are always appreciated. I was thinking of maybe Techtool 7 for the future.

Thanks for trying to help.

TechTool is excellent.

Try to boot it from the install dvd while pressing c

Or

power on, press and hold alt, you should get a list of bootable disks.

I'd go for the first one, to avoid unnecessary inquiring the hard disk, not sure it still works like that tho... (holding the t button)

TechTool it is then.

I will give the install disk a try. Will it accept it in the off state or do I have to get back to the spinning gear to put it in?

Yeah, I forgot about that. I have a Retina MBP, no more DVD drive...

You'd have to power it on indeed to be able to swallow the disc, yes! You can give it a try to slide it in, but I doubt it would work. Then start holding c, maybe it first swallows, then boots from it.

Well that didn't work and now it won't even eject the install disk.

😢

Then I'm afraid I can only try to help you get your dvd back. You might hit a dead end...

Do the press and hold alt/option key on start-up until the bootable disk icons appear. Does the DVD appear? Then press the dedicated eject key (else F12) on the keyboard.

If it apears, I'd try booting from it even, if you sense that the mac could load it to boot your mac...

If that can unfortunately give nothing else then a "perhaps" suggestion to boot from a recovery usb... But if you haven't one (I have one, but never needed it, typical!), it can take a while before you have one.

I cannot recall when they started this feature in the line of macs, but here is an instruction for Mavericks...

instructions for Mavericks:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433

good luck1

That worked!!!

Thank you! Thank you!

It didn't show the disk but it did give me the option for the recovery hd. I chose that one and then I chose to reinstall the OSX Mavericks.

It just started so it probably has a way to go. With any luck I won't have to take it to the shop tomorrow.

Thanks for the link also. When the dust settles, I will make myself a bootable thumb drive.

Olli, you are the best! 🙂 🙂

I will keep you posted on the progress.

Hi Olli,

That seemed to fix it for the moment. The reinstall has me right before that darn update that caused the whole problem. I am running repair permissions. So far everything looks good. Will know more when I get into my programs.

The update was automatic and now it wants to restart. Obviously I don't want to do that and have to start all over again.

Is there anything I can do to avoid a repeat? I am not sure my sanity can take another round.

😝