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MacBook - Logging into Main Account Stalls

This is my first question/ post ever so I hope I am providing enough info:


I'm trying to assist my wife with a MacBook (Aluminum from around 2009)

Running OSX v10.6.8 - Intel Core 2 Duo w 2.4 GHz- 4 GB Memory - 250 GB HD (only 6.7 GB available - not sure if this matters)


She had no issues yesterday morning... battery died, plugged into power and left for the day (around 1:00 PM) left it powered on, lid shut, charging.

Around 6:00 PM opened lid and had nothing on screen but the "purple galaxy" space theme picture ....

She did a hard reboot (powered off with power button).

When Login Screen appeared ... She typed her password, then the screen goes into the "purple galaxy / space" theme on screen and doesn't proceed to her desktop.


Today I tried to log into her "Guest" account that does not require a password and can log into that account and have access to that desktop.


I'm stumped as to why we cannot log into her Main Account. I've tried a couple options on start up (holding Command-Option-P-R) and I've tried holding (Shift when it powers on.) The grey screen with the Apple Logo appears, but no chime this morning, until I held Command-Option-P-R.

I've tried powering off and back on with power cord plugged in and without. I've been reading stuff all morning from the Apple Support communities and have nothing that seems to fix the problem.


I'm trying to run a Permissions Repair from the Guest account, but not sure of any other steps to take. Any advice/ suggestions are appreciated.


Thanks!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 2, 2015 11:46 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 2, 2015 7:01 PM

It's possible the main User account lost the password or admin status.


For Snow Leopard or earlier: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274


Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a Mac OS X install DVD, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, and use the Reset Password utility.

If you don't have a clone backup it's time to start. Just like a seat belt and an air bag protect you in different ways when driving, you need both Time Machine and a clone for full protection.


Create a Clone backup:


What is a clone backup?


A clone is an exact bootable copy of your internal drive. Unlike standard copying of all files to another drive, the clone software copies hidden files along with other in-use files that are not avaialbe when you copy over files to another drive.

More info on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_cloning

Time Machine is not bootable. You can only restore from Time Machine.



Software used to Clone:

SuperDuper! http://www.shirt-pocket.com/

CCC http://www.bombich.com/download.html



Use Disk Utility to clone your drive:



1. Select your new volume (indented) and click on the "Restore" tab.

2. Drag your old volume to the Source field

3. Drag your new hard drive to the Destination field.

4. Click the check box for "Erasing Destination".

5. Click restore at the bottom and it then will start copying over to your new hard drive.

4 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 2, 2015 7:01 PM in response to RandyAnderhole

It's possible the main User account lost the password or admin status.


For Snow Leopard or earlier: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274


Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a Mac OS X install DVD, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, and use the Reset Password utility.

If you don't have a clone backup it's time to start. Just like a seat belt and an air bag protect you in different ways when driving, you need both Time Machine and a clone for full protection.


Create a Clone backup:


What is a clone backup?


A clone is an exact bootable copy of your internal drive. Unlike standard copying of all files to another drive, the clone software copies hidden files along with other in-use files that are not avaialbe when you copy over files to another drive.

More info on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_cloning

Time Machine is not bootable. You can only restore from Time Machine.



Software used to Clone:

SuperDuper! http://www.shirt-pocket.com/

CCC http://www.bombich.com/download.html



Use Disk Utility to clone your drive:



1. Select your new volume (indented) and click on the "Restore" tab.

2. Drag your old volume to the Source field

3. Drag your new hard drive to the Destination field.

4. Click the check box for "Erasing Destination".

5. Click restore at the bottom and it then will start copying over to your new hard drive.

Mar 3, 2015 10:35 AM in response to dianeoforegon

Thank you DianeofOregon!


You shared some great information and very precise directions! I have to create that clone back up and will work on that after I can get my wife logged back into her MacBook.


So I did the OS X Install DVD and reset the password. The fist attempt back into the Main Account I was told that I had to reset the Keychain Access. I knew the old password so I chose the option to reset it myself. I typed the old password to get into Keychain and we were back to the purple starlight screen.


I shut it down again and tried to log in with the new password (2nd attempt) ... and no luck... right back into the purple starlight screen forever!


Unless you might have another idea for me to try... I'm probably going to have to take it into a Genius Bar at the local Apple Store.

I'm getting frustrated (I hate to fail and not have other directions to turn to try again). I took a break and walked away from her laptop. If you have another thing I should try first, I'm willing to make an effort!


Thanks again!

Mar 4, 2015 2:45 PM in response to RandyAnderhole

The Keychain USUALLY uses the same password as the User. Try creating a new Keychain or reset to the old password.


Create a new keychain by going to the "File" menu, then "New" and selecting "New Keychain"

You can now make this keychain your default if you desire by selecting it, then going to the "File" menu and selecting "Make '(name of keychain)' Default"

MacBook - Logging into Main Account Stalls

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