Powerbook problems..

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 06:57 AM

I have a 12" 1gig Powerbook that won't boot to desktop. Problem started after installing 10.3.8 and while working with a firewire drive and FCP4.

First problem was it cycled between the Finder desktop and a finder window every second or so. I could not force quit the finder. re-booted. still the odd cycling- every second or so. computer unuseable. fixed permissions from a slightly older Pbook install CD (10.2). (Mine came with 10.3 installed.) After permission repair- same prob. Then I did an archive and install from 10.2 cd. (saving user settings).

Computer comes up with my user name and asks for my admin password- but won't take it!

Re- archive and install with 10.3 cd (I have 2 Pbooks and forgot they had
diff install disc versions)

Same Prob. Computer will not accept password. It even supplies my "hint"
but won't take the password.

Any workarounds? Directions to pursue?

TIA.

Helmbelly
Portland ME

hayne · 02-21-2005, 07:53 AM

You should try the standard troubleshooting suggestions:
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...04011205473937
http://forums.osxfaq.com/viewtopic.php?t=7269
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/faqs.html

In particular, be sure to do "Repair Disk" (different from "Repair Disk Permissions"!) when booted from the Install CD.
See this Apple doc:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Try starting up in "Safe Mode" (hold the Shift key down after the chime).
Launch the "Console" application (under /Applications/Utilities) and look for relevant error messages. Note that messages are labeled with the date & time so you can use that to locate the part of the log to look at. Copy & paste the relevant messages back here so we can see them.
If the log refers to a crash log, press the "Logs" button (top-left) and go into the ~/Library/Logs section to find that particular crash log. Copy & paste back here the last portion of that crash log - the part that gives details about the last crash (or preferably attach it as a plain text file, using the "Manage Attachments" button at the bottom when you reply).

chabig · 02-21-2005, 08:54 AM

Could this be as simple as you having the Caps Lock on?

Chris

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 09:48 AM

Caps are off, thx chabig.

Hayne. thank you. I can't follow all your recco's as the machine will not
remain stable on the finder long enough for me to double click.

I re-set password off boot cd. this gets me to desktop but can only use dock and pull downs. am installing 10.3.8 combined from "update" currently.

Believe part of prob is that I have only 484 MB's left on 40 gig internal drive. was reading about "swap" files and fear the system doesnt have the headroom to stand up, ??
This sounds pathetic but I'm just trying to empty the trash right now!
Can't grab it!

Hayne- I'll post the info you mentioned if I can get it this morning.

Helmbelly

yellow · 02-21-2005, 10:01 AM

IMO, the absolute limit you want to have on your system disk/partition for free space is 1.5GB-2GB. Any less and you're playing with fire.

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 10:16 AM

Right Yellow, i was workiong with some large Hi Def .mov files and wasn't
paying attn to the render directory growing quickly. I've filled my HD to the
crashing point is my current guess.

Hey, do you know any way of forcing the trash to empty?
I'm trying Shift/Command/Delete but the finder crashes/cycles too
quickly for it to execute the empty command.

helmbelly

yellow · 02-21-2005, 10:39 AM

Though, I'm not convinced making more room will help your current situation, you might be better served logging into Single User Mode and emptying the trash via the command line. At least that way there's no Finder to crash on you..

How familiar/comfortable with command line are you?

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 10:48 AM

Never done it yellow, but can follow the trail if you leave it.
I made a new user and that fixed the problem on the new user
side. but still can't access my files.

I'm thinking I should back up and do a clean install at this point.

concur?

helmbelly

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 01:12 PM

I posted earlier about a PB I could not sign on to. I solved this by creating
a new user (thx yellow) and the new user works fine. the original user is
still a war zone. hayne- i can't access logs but in the system profiler i can get a system report that is lengthy and details some of the operations from
the crash last night. problem is - it's loong.

Can anyone suggest a means of rescuing data from the original user profile? Have Firewire drive. my plan is to BU and clean install.

The catch is i can only semi-access user 1: the dock works - but can't click on desktop icons or use pull down menus.

Thx again

helmbelly
portland ME
today have: installed 10.3.8 combo, repaired disk, repaired perms, cleared up drive space, created new user.
(3 gigs available),

yellow · 02-21-2005, 01:22 PM

Change the permissions on your old user account, if you make all the files owned by your new user, then you'll have full access to all your old user and old user's files.

via the terminal:

sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname

davewalcott · 02-21-2005, 01:25 PM

Or you can create a new admin user account (sounds like you already did). Then log in as that new user, go to "System Prefs > Accounts", and select the malfunctioning user account, then click the "-" button to delete the account. Make sure not to click "Delete Immediately," but just click "OK" and the user's home folder contents will be saved to an image file in "/Users/Deleted Users." You can then double-click the image file and access all the users data.

Definitely back up your entire hard disk before attempting this (if you haven't already)

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 01:49 PM

sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname[/QUOTE]

so yellow. i gotta get this perfect. can you confirm below?

boot into single user mode>
enter "sudo chown" (hit return)>
enter "old name"/user/"new name" (hit return)>

aye?

helmbelly

yellow · 02-21-2005, 01:51 PM

Ah no.. since you can log into another user just fine, at least that what I took from your posts above, jsut log into that user, open Terminal.app and on one line:

sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname

Explaination:

sudo tells the os to do the following command as if you were root, chown is for change ownership, -R is to do it recursively copying the specified permissions to all folders and files, new_user_shortname is the permissions that you're changing everything to (and should obviously be the shortname of your new user), and /Users/old_user_shortname is the directory that you want to apply this change ownership to (and should obviously be the shortname of your old user).

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 02:02 PM

forgive the simple question but -

do i type what you wrote verbatim?
sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname

or do i use real names-
sudo chown -R zander /Users/helmbelly

OR
sudo chown -R new_zander_shortname /Users/old_helmbelly_shortname

thought I'd better get this right-

thx

helmbelly

yellow · 02-21-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helmbelly


	or do i use real names- sudo chown -R zander /Users/helmbelly

This one.. check out my explaination in the post above.

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 02:12 PM

yellow,

the trminal window scolded me. below is the paste:

Last login: Mon Feb 21 14:53:18 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$
caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ sudo chown -r zander/Users/calebcrosby

We trust you have received the usual lecture from the local System
Administrator. It usually boils down to these two things:

#1) Respect the privacy of others.
#2) Think before you type.

Password:
Sorry, try again.
Password:
Sorry, try again.
Password:
zander is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported.
caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ postdrop: warning: unable to look up public/pickup: No such file or directory

end paste-

did I type it wrong?

helmbelly

yellow · 02-21-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helmbelly


	ydid I type it wrong?

Maybe a typo in how you copied it here, but, "sudo chown -r zander/Users/calebcrosby" should be "sudo chown -R zandar /Users/calebcrosby". The R flag is capital and there should be a space between your new user and your /Users/old user.

Secondly, it appears that your new user isn't an admin user. It should be and needs to be.

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 02:27 PM

Right yellow, changed string per your last.
calebcrosby IS the actual sys admin user name. the old one.
i'm using the terminal window from the new user zander side
of the GUI.

here is last attempt

>sudo chown -R zander /Users/ caleb crosby
Password:
Sorry, try again.
Password:
zander is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported.
caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ postdrop: warning: unable to look up public/pickup: No such file or directory<

again, thanks yellow.

helmbelly aka caleb

yellow · 02-21-2005, 02:33 PM

User "zander" HAS to be an admin as well. Currently is not. You need to log back in to your broken user (or root), and make user "zander" an admin.

helmbelly · 02-21-2005, 02:42 PM

OK, but on the broken side I have no access to directories.
Single user mode?
Anything come to mind to get zander set as admin level?

feels like this is very close to working,

helmbelly

02-21-2005, 01:12 PM	#9
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	BU a crashed PB from new user profile? I posted earlier about a PB I could not sign on to. I solved this by creating a new user (thx yellow) and the new user works fine. the original user is still a war zone. hayne- i can't access logs but in the system profiler i can get a system report that is lengthy and details some of the operations from the crash last night. problem is - it's loong. Can anyone suggest a means of rescuing data from the original user profile? Have Firewire drive. my plan is to BU and clean install. The catch is i can only semi-access user 1: the dock works - but can't click on desktop icons or use pull down menus. Thx again helmbelly portland ME today have: installed 10.3.8 combo, repaired disk, repaired perms, cleared up drive space, created new user. (3 gigs available),

02-21-2005, 01:25 PM	#11
davewalcott Triple-A Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA Posts: 227	Or you can create a new admin user account (sounds like you already did). Then log in as that new user, go to "System Prefs > Accounts", and select the malfunctioning user account, then click the "-" button to delete the account. Make sure not to click "Delete Immediately," but just click "OK" and the user's home folder contents will be saved to an image file in "/Users/Deleted Users." You can then double-click the image file and access all the users data. Definitely back up your entire hard disk before attempting this (if you haven't already) __________________ dave walcott walcott consulting

02-21-2005, 01:51 PM	#13
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	Ah no.. since you can log into another user just fine, at least that what I took from your posts above, jsut log into that user, open Terminal.app and on one line: sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname Explaination: sudo tells the os to do the following command as if you were root, chown is for change ownership, -R is to do it recursively copying the specified permissions to all folders and files, new_user_shortname is the permissions that you're changing everything to (and should obviously be the shortname of your new user), and /Users/old_user_shortname is the directory that you want to apply this change ownership to (and should obviously be the shortname of your old user). Last edited by yellow; 02-21-2005 at 01:53 PM.

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02-21-2005, 06:57 AM	#1
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	Powerbook won't take password at startup I have a 12" 1gig Powerbook that won't boot to desktop. Problem started after installing 10.3.8 and while working with a firewire drive and FCP4. First problem was it cycled between the Finder desktop and a finder window every second or so. I could not force quit the finder. re-booted. still the odd cycling- every second or so. computer unuseable. fixed permissions from a slightly older Pbook install CD (10.2). (Mine came with 10.3 installed.) After permission repair- same prob. Then I did an archive and install from 10.2 cd. (saving user settings). Computer comes up with my user name and asks for my admin password- but won't take it! Re- archive and install with 10.3 cd (I have 2 Pbooks and forgot they had diff install disc versions) Same Prob. Computer will not accept password. It even supplies my "hint" but won't take the password. Any workarounds? Directions to pursue? TIA. Helmbelly Portland ME

02-21-2005, 07:53 AM	#2
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 31,957	You should try the standard troubleshooting suggestions: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...04011205473937 http://forums.osxfaq.com/viewtopic.php?t=7269 http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/faqs.html In particular, be sure to do "Repair Disk" (different from "Repair Disk Permissions"!) when booted from the Install CD. See this Apple doc: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214 Try starting up in "Safe Mode" (hold the Shift key down after the chime). Launch the "Console" application (under /Applications/Utilities) and look for relevant error messages. Note that messages are labeled with the date & time so you can use that to locate the part of the log to look at. Copy & paste the relevant messages back here so we can see them. If the log refers to a crash log, press the "Logs" button (top-left) and go into the ~/Library/Logs section to find that particular crash log. Copy & paste back here the last portion of that crash log - the part that gives details about the last crash (or preferably attach it as a plain text file, using the "Manage Attachments" button at the bottom when you reply).

02-21-2005, 08:54 AM	#3
chabig Hall of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,945	Could this be as simple as you having the Caps Lock on? Chris

02-21-2005, 09:48 AM	#4
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	Caps are off, thx chabig. Hayne. thank you. I can't follow all your recco's as the machine will not remain stable on the finder long enough for me to double click. I re-set password off boot cd. this gets me to desktop but can only use dock and pull downs. am installing 10.3.8 combined from "update" currently. Believe part of prob is that I have only 484 MB's left on 40 gig internal drive. was reading about "swap" files and fear the system doesnt have the headroom to stand up, ?? This sounds pathetic but I'm just trying to empty the trash right now! Can't grab it! Hayne- I'll post the info you mentioned if I can get it this morning. Helmbelly

02-21-2005, 10:01 AM	#5
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	IMO, the absolute limit you want to have on your system disk/partition for free space is 1.5GB-2GB. Any less and you're playing with fire.

02-21-2005, 10:16 AM	#6
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	Right Yellow, i was workiong with some large Hi Def .mov files and wasn't paying attn to the render directory growing quickly. I've filled my HD to the crashing point is my current guess. Hey, do you know any way of forcing the trash to empty? I'm trying Shift/Command/Delete but the finder crashes/cycles too quickly for it to execute the empty command. helmbelly

02-21-2005, 10:39 AM	#7
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	Though, I'm not convinced making more room will help your current situation, you might be better served logging into Single User Mode and emptying the trash via the command line. At least that way there's no Finder to crash on you.. How familiar/comfortable with command line are you?

02-21-2005, 10:48 AM	#8
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	Never done it yellow, but can follow the trail if you leave it. I made a new user and that fixed the problem on the new user side. but still can't access my files. I'm thinking I should back up and do a clean install at this point. concur? helmbelly

02-21-2005, 01:22 PM	#10
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	Change the permissions on your old user account, if you make all the files owned by your new user, then you'll have full access to all your old user and old user's files. via the terminal: sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname

02-21-2005, 01:49 PM	#12
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname[/QUOTE] so yellow. i gotta get this perfect. can you confirm below? boot into single user mode> enter "sudo chown" (hit return)> enter "old name"/user/"new name" (hit return)> aye? helmbelly

02-21-2005, 02:02 PM	#14
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	forgive the simple question but - do i type what you wrote verbatim? sudo chown -R new_user_shortname /Users/old_user_shortname or do i use real names- sudo chown -R zander /Users/helmbelly OR sudo chown -R new_zander_shortname /Users/old_helmbelly_shortname thought I'd better get this right- thx helmbelly

02-21-2005, 02:12 PM	#16
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	yellow, the trminal window scolded me. below is the paste: Last login: Mon Feb 21 14:53:18 on console Welcome to Darwin! caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ sudo chown -r zander/Users/calebcrosby We trust you have received the usual lecture from the local System Administrator. It usually boils down to these two things: #1) Respect the privacy of others. #2) Think before you type. Password: Sorry, try again. Password: Sorry, try again. Password: zander is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported. caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ postdrop: warning: unable to look up public/pickup: No such file or directory end paste- did I type it wrong? helmbelly

02-21-2005, 02:27 PM	#18
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	Right yellow, changed string per your last. calebcrosby IS the actual sys admin user name. the old one. i'm using the terminal window from the new user zander side of the GUI. here is last attempt >sudo chown -R zander /Users/ caleb crosby Password: Sorry, try again. Password: zander is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported. caleb-crosbys-Computer:~ zander$ postdrop: warning: unable to look up public/pickup: No such file or directory< again, thanks yellow. helmbelly aka caleb

02-21-2005, 02:33 PM	#19
yellow Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 10,677	User "zander" HAS to be an admin as well. Currently is not. You need to log back in to your broken user (or root), and make user "zander" an admin.

02-21-2005, 02:42 PM	#20
helmbelly Prospect Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 14	OK, but on the broken side I have no access to directories. Single user mode? Anything come to mind to get zander set as admin level? feels like this is very close to working, helmbelly