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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Isync Password Error
magic - May 30, 2005 - 12:50 pm
I tried using the "sync now" command in iSync and a pop-up keeps appearing saying:
"Unable to access your .Mac user name or password. Please verify your .Mac member name and password in the .Mac preferences in System Preferences.
When I do this, it doesn't help. I have used iSync before with no problems. I'm also annoyed that .Mail keeps asking for the my password even though I tell it to remember it in my keychain. I'm running Tiger 10.4.1 on a Dual 1 GHz PowerPC G4 w/2gigs of RAM.
I'm an experienced mac user, so bring on the geek-speak....no probs.
-Thanks
"Unable to access your .Mac user name or password. Please verify your .Mac member name and password in the .Mac preferences in System Preferences.
When I do this, it doesn't help. I have used iSync before with no problems. I'm also annoyed that .Mail keeps asking for the my password even though I tell it to remember it in my keychain. I'm running Tiger 10.4.1 on a Dual 1 GHz PowerPC G4 w/2gigs of RAM.
I'm an experienced mac user, so bring on the geek-speak....no probs.
-Thanks
Cheryl - Jun 1, 2005 - 7:56 pm
Vince,
My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.
First, repair permissions from the Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities.
Remember to click on the second icon at the top left.
Now go to Keychain Access. Click on the padlock at the top left. You will need to enter your password. Now go to the Keychain menu and select Keychain First Aid. Enter your user name and password.
Select, Verify and click Start. Any problems found will be displayed.
If there are problems, select Repair and then click Start.
Now go to the Keychain menu and select preferences. Click on the First Aid tab and make sure all the boxes are checked.
Now quit Keychain Access and give iSync a try.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
My name is Cheryl and I will be assisting you.
First, repair permissions from the Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities.
Remember to click on the second icon at the top left.
Now go to Keychain Access. Click on the padlock at the top left. You will need to enter your password. Now go to the Keychain menu and select Keychain First Aid. Enter your user name and password.
Select, Verify and click Start. Any problems found will be displayed.
If there are problems, select Repair and then click Start.
Now go to the Keychain menu and select preferences. Click on the First Aid tab and make sure all the boxes are checked.
Now quit Keychain Access and give iSync a try.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
magic - Jun 4, 2005 - 10:16 am
Hey Cheryl,
Thanks a lot for your advice. I performed the procedure you described, but no dice. I was able to repair an error found in disk permissions.....after that, repair disk permissions found no errors. iSync still displays the same message each time I use the "sync now" command. Also, my iMail keeps bugging me for my keychain password even though I tell it to remember it.
-Vince
Thanks a lot for your advice. I performed the procedure you described, but no dice. I was able to repair an error found in disk permissions.....after that, repair disk permissions found no errors. iSync still displays the same message each time I use the "sync now" command. Also, my iMail keeps bugging me for my keychain password even though I tell it to remember it.
-Vince
Cheryl - Jun 4, 2005 - 11:19 am
Vince,
It is time to trash the iSync preference file.
Go to Home>Library>Preferences
Trash the following:
com.apple.isync.plist
com.apple.keychainaccess.plist
com.apple.keychainsync.plist
Now go to Mail and check the accounts. Make sure you have the password entered in the Account Information under incoming Mail.
Now go to the System Preferences>.Mac
Click on Advanced.
Click on Reset Sync Data at the very bottom of the window.
Now connect to your iDisk by going to the Go Menu>iDisk>My iDisk.
This will test your password. If you can connect, you now can start iSync to work.
And just to make sure of one more thing. Start up Keychain Access. At the very top left of the window, is the padlock locked or unlocked? You want it unlocked so that the passwords are available automatically.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
It is time to trash the iSync preference file.
Go to Home>Library>Preferences
Trash the following:
com.apple.isync.plist
com.apple.keychainaccess.plist
com.apple.keychainsync.plist
Now go to Mail and check the accounts. Make sure you have the password entered in the Account Information under incoming Mail.
Now go to the System Preferences>.Mac
Click on Advanced.
Click on Reset Sync Data at the very bottom of the window.
Now connect to your iDisk by going to the Go Menu>iDisk>My iDisk.
This will test your password. If you can connect, you now can start iSync to work.
And just to make sure of one more thing. Start up Keychain Access. At the very top left of the window, is the padlock locked or unlocked? You want it unlocked so that the passwords are available automatically.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
magic - Jun 7, 2005 - 4:44 pm
Hey Cheryl,
I've taken all the steps you've suggested and yet my desktop machine insists on bugging me with the same message each time I try to use the "Sync Now" command. I have a laptop G4 also. It syncs and gets mail, etc. with NO problems, but somehow my desktop still says, "please validate your password in iMac prefs." Even if I do that, then hit "sync now" it still persists. Also my Mail keeps asking for my password each and every friggin' time I start it up, even though I check the box to remember my password in the keychain. What gives?
-Vince Evans
I've taken all the steps you've suggested and yet my desktop machine insists on bugging me with the same message each time I try to use the "Sync Now" command. I have a laptop G4 also. It syncs and gets mail, etc. with NO problems, but somehow my desktop still says, "please validate your password in iMac prefs." Even if I do that, then hit "sync now" it still persists. Also my Mail keeps asking for my password each and every friggin' time I start it up, even though I check the box to remember my password in the keychain. What gives?
-Vince Evans
Cheryl - Jun 7, 2005 - 6:55 pm
Vince,
Does Mail ask for your password for the .mac account only?
Try this:
Go to Home>Library>Preferences
Trash com.apple.DotMacSync.plist
Go to Home>Library>Preferences>Network
Trash the com.apple.DotMacNotifications.plist
Go to Home>Library>Preferences>ByHost
Trash the com.apple.DotMacNotifications.(various numbers).plist
Empty the trash, then give it a try. You may need to re-enter your .mac info in the .Mac pane in System Preferences.
If that does not work then it could be a .mac problem and not iSync or Mail. Can you log into the web site at: http://www.mac.com/
Make sure you are entering your password correctly as it is case sensitive.
If not, you will need to reset your password.
Open your Web browser and go to http://iforgot.apple.com/.
Choose the AppleConnect option.
When prompted for your account name, enter your .Mac email address (such as steve@mac.com).
If you still have access to your .Mac email, select Option 1, which will send you an email with a link to a webpage that allows you to reset your password.
If you do not have access to your .Mac email, select Option 2.
When prompted, enter your birth date and click Continue.
Enter the appropriate answer to the password question your entered when creating your .Mac account. If you answer the question correctly, you will be able to enter a new password.
Changing your .Mac password also changes the password to the corresponding Apple ID (in the form of@mac.com).
Now make sure you note down the new password exactly as you typed it and then enter it in Mail, and the .Mac pane.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Does Mail ask for your password for the .mac account only?
Try this:
Go to Home>Library>Preferences
Trash com.apple.DotMacSync.plist
Go to Home>Library>Preferences>Network
Trash the com.apple.DotMacNotifications.plist
Go to Home>Library>Preferences>ByHost
Trash the com.apple.DotMacNotifications.(various numbers).plist
Empty the trash, then give it a try. You may need to re-enter your .mac info in the .Mac pane in System Preferences.
If that does not work then it could be a .mac problem and not iSync or Mail. Can you log into the web site at: http://www.mac.com/
Make sure you are entering your password correctly as it is case sensitive.
If not, you will need to reset your password.
Open your Web browser and go to http://iforgot.apple.com/.
Choose the AppleConnect option.
When prompted for your account name, enter your .Mac email address (such as steve@mac.com).
If you still have access to your .Mac email, select Option 1, which will send you an email with a link to a webpage that allows you to reset your password.
If you do not have access to your .Mac email, select Option 2.
When prompted, enter your birth date and click Continue.
Enter the appropriate answer to the password question your entered when creating your .Mac account. If you answer the question correctly, you will be able to enter a new password.
Changing your .Mac password also changes the password to the corresponding Apple ID (in the form of
Now make sure you note down the new password exactly as you typed it and then enter it in Mail, and the .Mac pane.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
magic - Jun 9, 2005 - 3:53 pm
Hey Cheryl,
I'm about to throw this friggin' machine out my 18th story window! I've done ALL you've suggested, even resetting the password for .mac through Apple....no dice. When I deleted all those files, the icon would spin for just a short while, then stop. I got no error message, but the "last sync" message didn't update and the files didn't sync. As a last resort, I copied those files from the (working) laptop into the preferences folder of the bum one. Now I'm back to the same &*#$%#)$* error message! Mail STILL refuses to remember the password in the keychain despite checking the box every #$#%(*) time. Pleeeez help meeee!
-Vince Evans
I'm about to throw this friggin' machine out my 18th story window! I've done ALL you've suggested, even resetting the password for .mac through Apple....no dice. When I deleted all those files, the icon would spin for just a short while, then stop. I got no error message, but the "last sync" message didn't update and the files didn't sync. As a last resort, I copied those files from the (working) laptop into the preferences folder of the bum one. Now I'm back to the same &*#$%#)$* error message! Mail STILL refuses to remember the password in the keychain despite checking the box every #$#%(*) time. Pleeeez help meeee!
-Vince Evans
Cheryl - Jun 9, 2005 - 7:51 pm
Vince,
Time to take a deep breath. It is only a machine - a confused one.
Go to Keychain Access and delete all the mail.mac.com and smtp.mail.com files. Clicking on All items under category will show all of your password files.
When you opened Keychain Access was the padlock at the top left open or locked? You want to keep it unlocked so that programs have easy access to it.
Now for iSync:
Open your Mac OS X 10.4 hard disk volume.
Open the Library folder.
Open the Application Support folder.
Open the SyncService folder.
Open the 500-numbered folder that you have access to (this is a user ID number, so don't worry about it). It's OK if you see more than one folder but only have access to one of them.
Move any files that have "iSync" in their name to the Trash.
(could be named SyncPreferences.plist)
Open iSync version 2.0 again. You may need to reconfigure some iSync settings, but it should open just fine.
Note: Do not delete other files from ~/Library/Application Support/SyncServices/. These are files used by Sync Services in Mac OS X 10.4 and later. Deleting files from this folder may cause unexpected behavior.
Are you trying to sync the two computers? I just learned something interesting. You no longer synchronize information across computers using iSync. Instead go to the .Mac preference pane in System Preferences. click on the Sync button. Here you get to select what you want to sync, the timing of an automatic sync and there is a Sync now button at the bottom right.
Sync in Tiger (10.4) is used mainly for phones, iPods, and Palms. The .Mac preference pane is for your computer synchronization to .Mac.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
Time to take a deep breath. It is only a machine - a confused one.
Go to Keychain Access and delete all the mail.mac.com and smtp.mail.com files. Clicking on All items under category will show all of your password files.
When you opened Keychain Access was the padlock at the top left open or locked? You want to keep it unlocked so that programs have easy access to it.
Now for iSync:
Open your Mac OS X 10.4 hard disk volume.
Open the Library folder.
Open the Application Support folder.
Open the SyncService folder.
Open the 500-numbered folder that you have access to (this is a user ID number, so don't worry about it). It's OK if you see more than one folder but only have access to one of them.
Move any files that have "iSync" in their name to the Trash.
(could be named SyncPreferences.plist)
Open iSync version 2.0 again. You may need to reconfigure some iSync settings, but it should open just fine.
Note: Do not delete other files from ~/Library/Application Support/SyncServices/. These are files used by Sync Services in Mac OS X 10.4 and later. Deleting files from this folder may cause unexpected behavior.
Are you trying to sync the two computers? I just learned something interesting. You no longer synchronize information across computers using iSync. Instead go to the .Mac preference pane in System Preferences. click on the Sync button. Here you get to select what you want to sync, the timing of an automatic sync and there is a Sync now button at the bottom right.
Sync in Tiger (10.4) is used mainly for phones, iPods, and Palms. The .Mac preference pane is for your computer synchronization to .Mac.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
magic - Jun 10, 2005 - 1:01 pm
Hey Cheryl,
Thanks again. Here's the situation: I have always kept the padlock in the "unlocked" state in keychain access. There are many Library folders.....one directly on the System Volume and one for each user. The library folder directly on the system has an application support folder, but no Synce Service folder. The same is true for a user folder. The one inside my "home" folder has two folders:"Sync Service" and SyncServices". In the "SyncService" folder, there is a "LastSync Data" folder. Inside that are AddressBook, Calendars and Safari folders and a file "com.apple.iCal.sources.plist.
Inside the "SyncServices" folder are these files: data.syncdb, data.version, and isync.adminarchive and these folders: clientdata, Compat, and conflicts.
In the clientdata folder are folders with long number streams beginning with 0063006f006d002e006 and there are various files in each folder.
In the Compat folder are these folders: DMTLogging and DotMacPAPlClient. The DotMacPAPlClient folder has these folders inside: com.apple.DotMacLegacy and dataclasses.
Inside the "conflicts" folter in a file named, "conflicts.synconflict"
The problem persists and Mail asks me again for passwords every time I open it.
-Vince
Thanks again. Here's the situation: I have always kept the padlock in the "unlocked" state in keychain access. There are many Library folders.....one directly on the System Volume and one for each user. The library folder directly on the system has an application support folder, but no Synce Service folder. The same is true for a user folder. The one inside my "home" folder has two folders:"Sync Service" and SyncServices". In the "SyncService" folder, there is a "LastSync Data" folder. Inside that are AddressBook, Calendars and Safari folders and a file "com.apple.iCal.sources.plist.
Inside the "SyncServices" folder are these files: data.syncdb, data.version, and isync.adminarchive and these folders: clientdata, Compat, and conflicts.
In the clientdata folder are folders with long number streams beginning with 0063006f006d002e006 and there are various files in each folder.
In the Compat folder are these folders: DMTLogging and DotMacPAPlClient. The DotMacPAPlClient folder has these folders inside: com.apple.DotMacLegacy and dataclasses.
Inside the "conflicts" folter in a file named, "conflicts.synconflict"
The problem persists and Mail asks me again for passwords every time I open it.
-Vince
Cheryl - Jun 11, 2005 - 6:34 am
Vince,
We have tried everything I know to get these programs working properly. The next thing to do is an archive and preserve of the OS. This will not touch your applications or home folder, but will install fresh copies of the Apple applications and OS.
Start up from your Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Install DVD.
Select your language. The Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer window appears.
Click Continue. The Important Information window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue. The Software License Agreement window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue.
An agreement sheet appears. If you agree with the license agreement, click Agree. The Select a Destination window appears.
Click the volume that you wish to install to.
Click Options. The installation options sheet appears.
Select Archive and Install.
Select the volume which already has Mac OS X installed.
You should also select Preserve Users and Network Settings, to preserve network and Home directory settings.
Click OK.
Click Continue to begin the installation.
Once done, go to Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility to repair permissions. Now you can use Software Update to get the latest security updates as well as 10.4.1. After those are installed, do a repair permissions again.
You will need to re-install Stuffit Expander.
Let me know if this corrects the problem.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
We have tried everything I know to get these programs working properly. The next thing to do is an archive and preserve of the OS. This will not touch your applications or home folder, but will install fresh copies of the Apple applications and OS.
Start up from your Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Install DVD.
Select your language. The Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer window appears.
Click Continue. The Important Information window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue. The Software License Agreement window appears.
After reading or printing the information, click Continue.
An agreement sheet appears. If you agree with the license agreement, click Agree. The Select a Destination window appears.
Click the volume that you wish to install to.
Click Options. The installation options sheet appears.
Select Archive and Install.
Select the volume which already has Mac OS X installed.
You should also select Preserve Users and Network Settings, to preserve network and Home directory settings.
Click OK.
Click Continue to begin the installation.
Once done, go to Applications>Utilities>Disk Utility to repair permissions. Now you can use Software Update to get the latest security updates as well as 10.4.1. After those are installed, do a repair permissions again.
You will need to re-install Stuffit Expander.
Let me know if this corrects the problem.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
magic - Jun 11, 2005 - 2:27 pm
Thanks Cheryl,
Yeah, I know how to do that, but was trying to reserve it as a final option because there are so many other programs and plug-ins that act freaky each time I do that and I've gotta go in and straighten 'em all out. Looks like I'm there, though. Apple's support finally got back to me (what a joke)......anyway, they suggested unregistering and re-registering the computer, replacing all sync files with the ones from the .mac account. Believe it or not, that didn't even do it. The laptop syncs beautifully, though. I'll do the re-install and keep you posted.
I really appreciate your help,
-Vince
Yeah, I know how to do that, but was trying to reserve it as a final option because there are so many other programs and plug-ins that act freaky each time I do that and I've gotta go in and straighten 'em all out. Looks like I'm there, though. Apple's support finally got back to me (what a joke)......anyway, they suggested unregistering and re-registering the computer, replacing all sync files with the ones from the .mac account. Believe it or not, that didn't even do it. The laptop syncs beautifully, though. I'll do the re-install and keep you posted.
I really appreciate your help,
-Vince
magic - Jun 14, 2005 - 2:53 pm
Hey Cheryl,
I plan to re-install Tiger tonight as a last resort. This should finally solve my problem. I'll let you know if it did.
Thanks again for all your help.
-Vince
I plan to re-install Tiger tonight as a last resort. This should finally solve my problem. I'll let you know if it did.
Thanks again for all your help.
-Vince
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