Dan562

Q: G5 getting blue and grey screen along with pinwheel when trying to turn on

Hello,

I have a G5 that has an alternating blue and grey screen along with pinwheel (not rainbow) when trying to start. It will not leave the alternating blue screen and pinwheel. I can see my desktop image w/out any of the icons or folders for a second, but then it always goes back to the blue screen and pinwheel. I tried to safe boot but now I can't remember my password. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4.9), G5

Posted on Jun 27, 2015 7:11 PM

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Q: G5 getting blue and grey screen along with pinwheel when trying to turn on

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  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Jun 28, 2015 9:04 AM in response to Dan562
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jun 28, 2015 9:04 AM in response to Dan562

    So, safe boot worked? That is you got the password prompt?

     

    Get the Mac to set up  an additional administrative account.  You can then change the password on your old account.  This will work all all releases of Mac OS X so far.

      

    Start with your computer power off.  Hold down command-s. Power on your computer.   

      

    Type in the following: 

      

    The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X.  Look at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format. 

    # Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command. 

    # in case of partial success repeat this command until errors go away.

    /sbin/fsck -fy 

    /sbin/mount -uw / 

      

    cd /var/db 

    pwd 

    #List all files. The l is a lower case L. 

    ls -a 

    #The move command acts as a rename command in this format. 

    mv -i  .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old 

      

    # reboot  your mac

    shutdown -r now

      

    Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!! 

    Limnos adds detailed explainations: 

    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8441597#8441597 

      

    The above the idea came from a post by JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM 

    http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_do_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_root_password.html 

    You will need to scroll down to see this post.  Search for applesetupdone 

     

    This method is mentioned in an apple support page without giving an explanation.

      

    Once you have a new administrative account, you can change the password of your old administrative account 

    blue apple > System Preferences > Accounts