lynnetteholly

Q: I can't log in after El Capitan update

After El Capitan update from Yosemite, when restarting, I get a normal grey log on screen and I can log in without a problem.  But then it takes me to a second log in screen with El Capitan in the background (fuzzy looking) and it will not accept my normal log on and gives me no alternative users.  So I am stuck on this screen.  Any help appreciated!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 21, 2016 4:14 PM

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Q: I can't log in after El Capitan update

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  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Apr 21, 2016 4:33 PM in response to lynnetteholly
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Apr 21, 2016 4:33 PM in response to lynnetteholly

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.

    This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

    The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

    Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

    Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

    The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

    After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

  • by lynnetteholly,

    lynnetteholly lynnetteholly Apr 21, 2016 4:59 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 21, 2016 4:59 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you for your help.  Tested in safe and same problem.  Restarted and problem persists.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Apr 21, 2016 5:39 PM in response to lynnetteholly
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Apr 21, 2016 5:39 PM in response to lynnetteholly

    What backups do you have?

  • by lynnetteholly,

    lynnetteholly lynnetteholly Apr 21, 2016 5:53 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 21, 2016 5:53 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Sorry to say..none.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Apr 21, 2016 6:00 PM in response to lynnetteholly
    Level 10 (207,926 points)
    Applications
    Apr 21, 2016 6:00 PM in response to lynnetteholly

    If you want to preserve the data on the startup drive, and there is not already a current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about changes to the data since the last backup, you can skip this step.

    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive or other storage device to hold the data.

    1. Start up from the Recovery partition, from Internet Recovery, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.

    If you use FileVault 2, then you must first unlock the startup volume. Select its icon ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Select Unlock from the File menu. Enter your login password when prompted.

    2. If Method 1 fails because of disk errors, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.

    3. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. If one Mac has Thunderbolt and the other has FireWire, you need a FireWire cable and an adapter. A Retina MacBook (2015 or later model) with a USB-C port can also be started in target disk mode and connected to another Mac using a USB cable and another adapter.

    Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive.

    This technique won't work with USB (except on a Retina MacBook), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Note that a Retina MacBook Pro (with Thunderbolt) is different from a Retina MacBook, and it can't be connected to another Mac via USB in target disk mode.

    4. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.