I have the dreaded colorful spinning wheel on my IMac and it has frozen all my applications. Apple has said I should do a factory reset. Does that mean I will lose everything on the computer and start over with new passwords?
iMac, iOS 10.0.1
Not if you have a backup, or still can make one.
If you have another Mac you can use Target Disk Mode:
Use target disk mode to share files between two Mac computers - Apple Support
Drag your Home Folder to the other Mac, or to a connected external hard disk. Then after you do the factory restore drag your Documents, Movies, Pictures, Music, back.
If you really cannot back up yes, you are about to lose everything. But as you have nothing else to lose press the power button and hold it until your Mac shuts down (10 seconds or so). Then turn it on again.
Unfortunately, yes.
But have you tried starting up your Mac in Safe Mode?
Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support
Hi. Unfortunately I do not have another Mac and I don't believe I can back it up because it's frozen. So that would mean everything is gone and I would have setup all new passwords?
if I do a factory reset do I lose everything on my computer including passwords ?
