Yet another bullied by Keychain question.

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Level 1

5 points

Yet another bullied by Keychain question.

Keychain has become an implacable tyrant. We worked well together for years under OS X after OS X, and, yes, even with El Capitan. But now the beast hates me and constantly throws requests for passwords at me. I've tried everything from the allegedly straightforward to the most arcane and scary ways to fix it. I've now reluctantly and fearfully tried the iCloud. Somewhat fewer demands for the p-word, but I no longer feel safe or comfortable dealing with it. I thought that my iMac logon p-word was supposed to open The Keychain. It used to, and for a long time after I changed my logon. So, go to a bit of third party software that also keeps my privates exposed, or just pretend it all didn't happen? What did I do, and what do I do?

iMac (20-inch Mid 2007), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 17, 2016 3:17 PM

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Answer 1

theratter

Level 4

3,961 points

Jun 19, 2016 9:05 AM in response to manferret

OS X- Keychain Access asks for keychain "login" after changing login password - Apple Support

Manage OS X always asking to use your keychain passwords

Keychain Access in El Capitan

If you are frequently being prompted to re-enter your keychain password, you will find that the fix described for pre-El Capitan systems has changed. Please follow this procedure instead:

Copy this text to your clipboard: com.apple.scopedbookmarksagent.xpc. Open Keychain Access that is located in your Utilities folder. In the search field of Keychain Access’ window paste the above text.

A window will appear with a login password item selected. Click on the Delete key. Click on the Delete button in the panel to confirm your deletion.

Quit Keychain Access and see if the prompts stop.

This all I have that may help.

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Answer 2

Jun 17, 2016 3:26 PM in response to manferret

First read this detailed Apple Knowledge base article on Keychain

Frequently asked questions about iCloud Keychain - Apple Support

Then read this Apple Knowledge Base article...

If your Mac keeps asking for the login keychain password - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Jun 19, 2016 8:48 PM in response to manferret

You might find starting with a new Keychain is your best option. If you know all your password or you are willing to take the time to reset passwords this will give you a clean file. The Keychain.app is bad about not deleting old items when you add a new password. Over time the keychain can be a mess.

With Keychain Access quit, go to your User's Library and rename the Keychains folder to KeychainXX

You can boot into the Recovery drive to reset your User's password if desired.

You can try syncing to the iCloud keychain in System Preferences > iCloud > Keychain but that could just bring over all the old bad corrupted data. Worth a shot though. Easy enough to start over if needed.

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Answer 4

manferret Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 19, 2016 8:53 AM in response to theratter

Yes! All is well again. Thanks.

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Answer 5

manferret Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 19, 2016 9:05 PM in response to dianeoforegon

Thanks for your help. You, as well as the others who answered, saved my computer from further verbal and psychic abuse ( I had begun showing it very explicit photographs of powerful magnets and duct tape. It thanks you, too.

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Answer 6

manferret Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 19, 2016 9:13 PM in response to Mobile Blues

Life as I knew it is nearly back to normal thanks to you and the others. Now I have to tackle a software dead Win 7 to 10 and back to 7 fiasco laptop, and a Win 10 notebook that has been sending me some ugly vibes. But the trusty old iMac is back. Thanks.

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Answer 7

Jun 20, 2016 11:57 AM in response to manferret

The Keychain Access app is certainly one of the more troublesome apps.

If you aren't using one of the password apps like 1Password, Dashlane and Keeper, I highly suggest you check out their demos. While there are certain things that will have to be saved to the keychain, you can save your other passwords outside of the Keychain Access.app.

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Answer 8

manferret Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 20, 2016 6:06 PM in response to dianeoforegon

dianeoforegon wrote:

The Keychain Access app is certainly one of the more troublesome apps.

If you aren't using one of the password apps like 1Password, Dashlane and Keeper, I highly suggest you check out their demos. While there are certain things that will have to be saved to the keychain, you can save your other passwords outside of the Keychain Access.app.

Sounds good to me, so I downloaded the demo, but haven't populated it yet. There's no sense in continuing to feed a dragon when you can hire somebody to get rid of it. Thanks!

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