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Bill Kinkle · Sep 14, 2003, 12:11 PM

All of a sudden I turned on my mac and when I try to login the screen turns blue for a moment and I keep getting sent back to the initial login screen that shows all the accounts for the computer. The screen does not give me the "no" signal for an inncorrect password, it just sends me back to the beginning. Any suggestions how to fix this? I have a huge video project I am working on with a deadline rapidly approaching and I don't need this. Thanks a million.

pendragon · Sep 14, 2003, 12:23 PM

Bill, It's probably worth a shot to start up from your OS install disk #1 and Repair Permissions and run Disk Repair.

At least it can't hurt. And, it may even fix things.

Bill Kinkle · Sep 14, 2003, 12:52 PM

I can't boot p from the disk, I keep getting a white screen with a message about firmware. It says to keep booting up type "mac-boot" or to shut down type "shutdown" Am I doing something wrong? I put the disk in (#1) and hold down the "c" jey correct???

alien · Sep 14, 2003, 02:50 PM

It seems like you are bumped into firmware when you try to start up from the CD.

Does the machine start up normally when you're starting up from the hard disk?

Have anyone else with an account tried to log in?

What kind of Mac is it, and what OS version are you running?

Bill Kinkle · Sep 16, 2003, 05:03 PM

So I ran the repair disk permissions and tried to repair disk, but it said I couldn;t do that because it was in use??? I am using a DP 450. I also have OS9 installed as well and run that without any problems at all. OSX starts up ok but I can't get past the login screen, everytime I try to login it bumps me right back to the samne login in menu. No accounts work, I tried them all.....please tell me someone has had this problem, I don;t want to have to reinstall the whole OS again, I have too much time invested into this project and need to get it done. Thanks.

Toyin · Sep 16, 2003, 05:40 PM

Have you installed any themes lately?

I had an issue like this when I did an archive and install from 10.1 to 10.2. Apparently 10.2 didn't like some of my 10.1 preferences.

What I did was boot into OS9 and then moved my user's library folder (HD/Users/Your username/Library) to my user's desktop (HD/Users/Your username/Desktop).

However if all your users are similarly effected I think it's more than corrupt preferences.

Bill Kinkle · Sep 16, 2003, 06:03 PM

No, I have not done anything new. I have been reading the Apple forums and it seems like am not the only one with this problem. One solution one personsaid is to log in as a single user and delete the AppleSetupDone file and re setup you password and users. ANy idea how to do this? I figured out how to login as a single user but thats as far as I can get. Thanks.

SMacTech · Sep 16, 2003, 06:07 PM

Themes would have no effect on Open Firmware.
Have you tried resetting the PRAM?
command-option-P-R keys at boot.

Richyfp · Sep 16, 2003, 06:38 PM

Hey Bill - do you have an iChat or another AIM client? If you do, my user name's "richyfp" - IM me and I'll see what I can do for you.

Bill Kinkle · Sep 16, 2003, 06:42 PM

I reset my PRam and now I am stuck at the blue Mac OSX screen.....now I did it.

Toyin · Sep 16, 2003, 07:08 PM

This doesn't sound good. Personally, I'd go out and buy a 120gb firewire drive and backup as much as possible.

Did you set an open firmware password?
Also what hardrive are you using? Is it the BTO IBM? If so did you run the update that Apple posted a few months ago? Also when was the last time you updated your firmware?

jmiddel · Sep 17, 2003, 08:47 PM

Hey Bill, nasty situation. You are communicating with us, do you have another mac close by? If so, connect them with Firewire cable and try to restart the offending machine holding down the 'T' key. Hopefully you will be in target mode, the problem mac will appear on your desktop as a mounted volume and you can save your stuff from there.