locked out of mac with correct password

S

steakholder

Registered
Hi,

I wonder if you can help? I've been locked out of my G4 powerbook and was wondering if it's possible to unlock it in single user mode or by a means I've not yet tried?

The problem was caused by shutting down (holding power button) when the machine was restarting which is a dumb thing to do I know.
I keep getting the message '"you are unable to log in to the user account (me) at this time" when I startup. I only have one user account setup (no administrator, etc) and I do know my password. I also have filevault switched on which may have something to do with it.

I have tried resetting the pmu and pram (with the battery out too),
tried starting up from the software restore/install disc,
tried starting in target mode and running disc utilities from another mac,
tried starting in safe mode,
I've tried starting from disk warrior and rebuilding the drive (apparently) successfully.
None of this has fixed it.

I also can't retrieve my files (can't find them anywhere) when in target mode.
I think I'm at endgame and my final option - unless there are scripts to run - is to wipe out lots of work I've failed to back up and start again which would be awful for me.
Do you have any ideas I haven't tried?
Anything would be gratefully received.
Thanks


My mac is a powerbook G4 1.67GHz 512ram 80Gb 15" Superdrive running OSX.4
 
Thanks Simbalala. I've only just after 2 days been able to get to any menu to be able to make these changes.....
I followed some instructions and was able to set up another admistrator user in single user mode. So I can now finally log in as John Doe in safe mode. I have tried to change my original user password in system preferences like it shows in your link but it won't give me the option nor will it let me delete the original user and save the home folder.
Anyone know how to get round this or how to get to my files?
cheers
 
Reboot with your system 1 disc in the drive and hold the c key. Instead of reinstalling os x, go to File/Reset Password and you can reset the password for your old account.

Restart and hold the X key down to reboot to your system and see if it worked.
 
cheers natobasso. The only mac disc I have is the software install and restore which I can't boot from - it just says to restart computer every time. i can't get to any menu.
So far the only way in is as another admin user in safe mode but I'm still locked out from my stuff.
 
You could do a system repair in Single User Mode:

restart and hold command + s till you see black screen, white text/type fsck -f/type reboot when progress is complete.

Hopefully that will repair your computer enough for you to be able to reboot to your account. This function is much like repairing permissions.
 
Change Account Password;

Type this in Terminal

sudo passwd username

(Where 'username' is your account name)

After running this command you will be prompted to enter the new password twice.
 
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