Ticket Options

Question Profile

Question Details

TICKET ARCHIVE -> stuck at log in page, no dock/finder/hd

tiesen - Dec 30, 2007 - 3:22 pm

Using G4 Powermac, 10.4.8, computer crashed, on startup seems to go ok, get to log in page, put in username and password, next page seems to start to load but then nothing appears. No dock, no finder, no hd etc.

Have run the utility off of install disk, it seemed to repair some things. Tried to start up again. Same problem.

Ran the hardware test. Had an error code for RAM. Took that ram out. Ran the hardware test again. Everything ok. Startup again, same problem.

Did the fsck thing, it repaired a few things, did it again till it said ok. Started up, same problem.

Reran the utility on the install disk. Had one more problem, it repaired it. Tried to start up, again same problem.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Teresa

Cheryl - Dec 30, 2007 - 4:48 pm

Teresa,

When Disk Utility continuously finds errors, it is time for a third party utility. Do you have Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro? Either one of those - starting up with the CD will scan and repair the drive - if it is repairable.

Try using Disk Utility off the install CD again, making sure you are starting up with the CD (insert CD and hold down the C key - select your language - then go to the Tools Menu)
When Disk Utility opens click on the second icon in the side bar at the left, then click on Repair Disk at the bottom right.
Watch the activity screen. If it does any repairs - you will need to click on the Repair Disk button a second time after the first pass is done. The object is to make sure it finds all the problems and repairs them. You may need to hit that button a third or fourth time to get no references to repairs made.

Do you have a back up of your important files? I ask this because you may have to start all over and wipe the drive and install the OS as well as your other programs.

Keep me posted

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 1, 2008 - 8:36 pm

Hi Cheryl, I tried your suggestion of using Disk Utility again and repairing disk over and over, the only error it shows is "invalid leaf count, should be 24 instead of 23" under checking extended attributes.

It then says repair completed and if I hit the button again (have done this now at least 4 or 5 times) it shows the same message and the same repair completed.

Still can't get past the blue screen after log in.

I read somewhere about rebuilding the desktop, would this pertain to my problem or is it really looking like a messed up hd? I may thry the Disk Warrior or Tech Tool idea, but don't live near town so it may take a few days to get it.

Any other suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated, or if you can explain what the leaf count is.

Thanks
Teresa

Oh, if I have a mac powerbook as well, even if the hd is not working properly could I use Target Mode to get at files we may want to keep???

Cheryl - Jan 1, 2008 - 10:45 pm

Teresa,

A bad leaf count is a serious file system error with the drive directory, but shouldn't be the end of the world. Since you need your computer and can't wait for Disk Warrior (and it may or may not repair this error) you will need to start fresh with a new OS install.

Yes, use your Powerbook and get your home folder files saved. Then use the 10.4 Tiger disk to start up the computer. You need to totally erase the drive, then repair the drive and finally install the OS.

Once you have the OS installed, and you restart - create the same user name and password as you had before. Now run Disk Utility (from the Utilities folder) to repair permissions.

Now you need to go to System Preferences>Software Update to get all the security updates and OS updates as well as the other Apple programs updated. Once that is done (and you will need to do a restart) run Disk Utility to repair permissions.

Now you can move those files to your home folder as well as install any other programs you use.

This will take a while, but you will have a smooth running computer.

Let me know how you do.

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 2, 2008 - 11:35 am

Cheryl
Is there any risk involved to the laptop (by using target mode) to have possibly damaged files on there? The G4 computer is actually my son's and I would mainly be saving music (itunes), garage band and graphic files to the laptop (if I have enough memory for it).

Thanks again for your quick replies!
Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 2, 2008 - 1:19 pm

Teresa,

The problem on the problem Mac is within the drive and it is affecting the system files which is preventing a good start up and log in. You will not be copying any system files from the system folder, so rest easy.

A drive can get bad blocks or sectors. This is normal and happens on occasion. With an erase and re-install, the drives bad blocks, tree counts, etc will be corrected. Any parts of the drive that are bad the format/install/utility system will lock out and not use it. This does not affect the drive's ability to work correctly.

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 2, 2008 - 3:47 pm

Cheryl, thanks will see what I can do over the next couple of days. Will update when things up and running again.

Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 2, 2008 - 3:58 pm

Teresa,

Our system will automatically close a ticket after three days of non-activity. You or I can reopen the ticket without a problem.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Jan 4, 2008 - 7:34 am

Teresa,

How are you doing?

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 4, 2008 - 12:27 pm

Cheryl,

Have had company and had to run to town so no progress, am hoping to work on it today or tomorrow. Will update you as soon as I have some info.

Thanks for checking
Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 4, 2008 - 1:31 pm

Teresa,

Okay.

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 6, 2008 - 12:49 am

Hi Cheryl, have managed to use target mode to take off info/files we needed to keep, will try to erase disk and reinstall hard drive tomorrow.

Will update after everything is done.

Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 6, 2008 - 6:47 am

Teresa,

Just keep me posted. Remember to use Disk Utility to repair the drive after the erase and then again from the Utilities folder to repair permissions after the install. Then use Software update (system preferences) to get all the updates.

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 8, 2008 - 8:12 am

Cheryl, have erased drive after a few funky responses from my mac (quit halfway through erasing a few times), repaired, and then reinstalled the os. Seems to be working, haven't done software update yet.

thanks for your help
Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 8, 2008 - 10:18 pm

Teresa,

This is good. When Disk Utility had trouble, it showed that the files on the drive really were corrupt.

Shall we keep this ticket open until you get the software updates and your programs working?

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 9, 2008 - 8:59 am

Cheryl, I should have the last of the updates happening today. I am on dialup internet and so have to take the laptop to town to access high speed for downloading updates. Did that yesterday, will install this morning. When searching for the 10.4.11 mas os x update I read a few users comments on problems with it, do you recommend installing it or should I stick with 10.4.10 for now?

All seems to be going very well so far. Thanks for all of the help.

Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 9, 2008 - 9:51 pm

Teresa,

The 10.4.11 combo update is all you need (besides some security updates and Quicktime, & iPhoto & iTunes if you have those).

Some people experienced trouble with 10.4.11 with the Quicktime update. I did not The 10.4.11 update has Safari updated and that in itself is a plus. Safari is faster after the update is installed.

If you use the combo update, you should not have any problems.

Cheryl

tiesen - Jan 11, 2008 - 11:14 pm

Cheryl, all updates have been installed, no problems logging on anymore, however, still having crashes daily - box saying "you must shut down your computer now", keep repairing permissions and they seem to be repaired.... not really sure why the computer wants to freeze so often.

Any ideas?

Teresa

Cheryl - Jan 12, 2008 - 8:18 am

Teresa,

What devices do you have connected to the computer? Usually those kernel crashes are caused by devices that do not work well with the OS. It can also be caused by a bad memory chip or not enough memory installed. 512 MB should run the computer smoothly but more is even better.

You stated that you removed a memory stick - I wonder if the bad stick is still in the machine (and you removed the good one). The only way to find this out is to use the Hardware Test disk again and do the memory test.

Cheryl
Memory sticks usually last a long time, but occasionally they do go bad.