Wierd (Unusal?) Problem

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6412

Do you have a backup of your computer hard disk drive content on an externally enclosed hard disk drive? That'd be a good first bet, and depending on the products you have, it could be a bootable clone.

The system may need to be checked over to see if there is a reason why its acting up and a completely new reinstallation of the system, from scratch may be helpful. With a full backup of everything, and tested to be good, not just a bad copy with errors, it could be moved back into the computer, unless that in itself is a bad thing.

Have you tried a second user account to see how that acts? Perhaps give it Admin level of access and privilege, too. A matter of troubleshooting to see what is trouble and pretent its like trap shooting. Pull! Actually, I've never done that. But do know there are processes of elimination, some of the time poorer choices are pressed into service by a time window.

Are there related system logs and error messages in Console that may be revealing? Bad RAM chips? Mice with their own back entrance?

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

I can boot into safe mode just fine, no issues or anything.

Safe boot disables a bunch of stuff. You have to go through these items and see which one might be causing the problem.

It is unlikely that you have a hardware problem if you can safe boot. There could be a problem with the disk. Like some file got corrupted that is not run in safe mode.

see here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564

I'd look through the login items first.

Hope you got my drift. Could still be a problem with the harddrive. Could be a corrupted file. At least, you can fix a harddrive problem with out going to the repair shop. This was my good news.

What system like changes did you do last?

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Look at the console log. cut & paste to discussion if you find something interesting.

For problems with bootin' up your system, you should look at console.log. These message are mostly from boot time.

And, for problem with applications, look at system.log. These message are after booting.

You use the console application to look at both types of messages. The left column of the application lists the type of logs. Click on the one you want to look at.

Macintosh-HD -> Applications -> Utilities -> Console.app

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You can create a new id when in safe mode. Probably a good idea. Do you autologin your id? Create id change to this id.

Why? Trying a new id & the new id would point the finger at the old id. It's good to have two adminitrators on the system anyway.

Create new Account

blue apple > system preferences

clicks on accounts icon

click on lock icon if locked.

enter logon password

click on + icon ( left side of screen just above the lock icon )

after creating new account, you need to logout of your current account.

blue apple > log out ... current count name ...

log on to new account. see if problem goes away.

if it has gone away, some preference file got messed up on your account. Rename the appropriate Preference file. You will have to figure out the name. They are .plist files. Look for these files in Preferences folder which is in your Library folder [ more formally ~/Library/Preferences ]. ... reboot.

Post back for more help.

More tips on creating a new account

http://pondini.org/OSX/Transfer.html

You may look into the System Profiler for log files...

And into the Utilities folder for Console utility, to few various logs...

Some are long, winding roads with bad views in obscure driving habitat, however.

Hopefully this helps a little...

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

The is an icon in console to put a line across the log to mark your place.

There are free file storage sites. Upload & post a link.

http://www.smashingapps.com/2008/08/28/5-best-free-file-hosting-services-to-stor e-your-files.html

Have your tried another account???

You could run the machine in safe mode if it does what you want.

I'm just at a standstill at what to do next. I've tried re-installing the operating system, no luck.

If you confident in you have all your needed stuff backed up, I'd go for a clean install. That is erase your harddrive. Re-install the OS.

You may want to make a second copy of your data.

Here are two utilities for making a complete backup of your internal hard drive. I've recommend using one of these so that you can create a bootable system on your external hard drive. ( PPC require a firewire connected drive. ) Once created, you can run your system from the external drive. Hold down the option key on your keyboard then power on your machine. This will bring you in startup manager click on the drive image you wish to boot then click on the arrow key to the right.

"Clone, synchronize, backup. Schedule and forget it."

http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html

"SuperDuper is the wildly acclaimed program that makes recovery painless, because it makes creating a fully bootable backup painless."

http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

The startup manager will list all of your bootable partitions then give you a choice of which to boot. Hold down the option key then power on. Continue holding down the option key until you see the startup manager. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your hd or disc. Click on right arrow key.

You need an external Firewire drive to boot a PowerPC Mac computer [ a few G5's will boot from USB ].

I recommend you do a google search on any external harddrive you are looking at.

I bought a low cost external drive enclosure. When I started having trouble with it, I did a google search and found a lot of complaints about the drive enclosure. I ended up buying a new drive enclosure. On my second go around, I decided to buy a drive enclosure with a good history of working with Macs. The chip set seems to be the key ingredient. The Oxford line of chips seems to be good. I got the Oxford 911.

I'd give OWC a call. 1-815-338-8685.

FireWire 800 + USB 3, + eSATA

&

save a little money interface:

FireWire 400 + USB 2.0

This web page lists both external harddrive types. You may need to scroll to the right to see both.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB

(2) FireWire 800/400 Ports (Up to 100MB/s / 50MB/s)

(1) USB 3.0 Port (Up to 500MB/s / 60MB/s)

(1) eSATA Port (Up to 300MB/s)

Has a combo firewire 800/400 port. Not sure what this is. Looks like you will need 400 cable.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack