[Topaz]

I confess I have fiddled with Terminal and now cannot enter my password to further an entry. First I get a no password entry then when I type the password (although it does not show in the window) I get the third message. Anyone know how to get back to default settings so I can start again and enter my password?

[Chuckit]

I don't know what you think is wrong. It isn't supposed to show the password when you type it. The third message just means there was already an instance of TextEdit running, so the new one couldn't handle requests from the App->Services->TextEdit menu.

[turtle777]

Uhm, tried to reboot ?

-t

[besson3c]

I would suggest trying a sudo open Textedit, and then open /etc/hosts (which it should do as root).

However, I don't know why you want to use Textedit? Why not just do a sudo nano /etc/hosts ?

[Topaz]

I am only using Text Edit because I am following info given by a fellow poster. I have tried "sudo nano /etc/hosts" but the result was the same. When I attempt to enter my password the cursor does not move, and also I understand that after I have entered my password a new window should automatically open to input more text. Which obviously is not happening. Without too much detail I am trying to enter a patch to use an app which otherwise I couldn't use - if you get my drift!

[turtle777]

Maybe it would help if you explained what "I have fiddled with Terminal" means.
What did you do to break it?

-t

[besson3c]

Your cursor is not supposed to move when you type your password, and you aren't supposed to see what you are typing either.

[Art Vandelay]

Originally Posted by Topaz 

When I attempt to enter my password the cursor does not move

It will never move because it's not supposed to. Sounds to me that your only problem is that the lack of cursor movement is throwing you off and you're just mistyping your password.

[Art Vandelay]

Oh sure! Just type a little faster than me.