Extremely slow startup/"Error loading kernel" when single user mode is run

My daughter's iMac has become very poorly responsive with a very slow startup time. It takes about 1 minute for the progress wheel to begin when I startup her machine. And then it takes another 2 1/2 to 3 minutes before the login screen appears. The computer runs very slowly with the spinning activity wheel occurring frequently. When I start it up in single user mode I get the following message on screen:
efiboot loaded from device: Acp:(PNP0A03,0)/PC: (1F12)/SATA(0,0)/HD(Part 2, Sig56BF F8F1-9ADB-4101-BD3C-BFBC38AEED26)
boot file path: \System\Library\CoreServices\boot.efi
.Loading Kernal cache file 'System\Library\Caches
com.apple.kext.caches\Startup\kernel cache_i386.AE149BE8'
Read error 0x7
Loading 'Mach Kernel'...
Could not open file 'Mach kernel'
Error loading kernel 'Mach_kernel' (0x9)
Could some one tell me what this means? And better still, what do I need to do to fix it?
Thanks.
JOhn

I can't picture what is doing this other than something missing or muxed, but perhaps it's time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space and no Disk corruption, and is relatively quick & painless...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.

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MBP only runs if I start in single user mode and run fsck. WHY!

I am having trouble with my MBP. If I don't start in single user mode and run fsck -fy twice, I can't click on anything with my trackpad. I can't even log in. I've tried resetting pram/nvram, disk permission repair too but once i reboot... nada. I can't do anything in recovery mode, I can move around with arrows and tab but can't select anything. Safe mode hangs at about 20% and doesn't budge (left it for an hour, nothing). If I run fsck -fy it works but as soon as I reboot/ logout i'm back to square one again. Anyone know what causes this to happen? It just started tonight. I have a 2012 15" with Mountain Lion.

The boot drive is failing, or you have some other hardware fault.
Back up all data immediately, then make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested.
If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to bare metal from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.
*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

Can't type in single user mode

Hi,
I am trying to fix a MacBook Air's hard drive and attempted to boot from single user mode to run fsck. However, when I get into single user mode I can't type a thing. No buttons on the keyboard work. I shut it down and tried doing it again but the same issue occurs. I tried again, this time connecting an Apple USB keyboard and it still wouldn't type. I booted from an external hard drive that had OS X on it and both the inbuilt and external USB keyboards worked absolutely fine.
Does anyone know why I would be having this issue and how to rectify it?
Cheers.

Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing drive
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Failure to boot in single user mode

Hi,
I have an iBook G3 900MHz G3 running 10.4.6. 384MB RAM, ~25GB free disk space.
it's running slow so I want to boot in single user mode and run applejack.
the trouble is, it won't boot in single user mode. when I hold command-s or command-v it just boots right to the GUI.
i've tried both command keys thinking that one might be broken.. no luck. I also have no trouble getting to single user mode on my G4 laptop.
I have not taken steps to disable single user mode.
any ideas?
thanks a lot

I think it would be worth a try to repair permissions and then boot from the Install disk to run Repair Disk in Disk Utilities. If you still cannot boot into single user mode after that, perhaps obtaining and running Disk Warrior can resolve the problem.
Bob N.
Mac Mini 1.5 GHz; iBook 900 mHz; iPod 20 GB Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Fan issues after entering Single User mode

Earlier, I went into Single User mode to run an application called Applejack. When my computer first loaded up, my fan became twice as loud as it normally does. I figured that would return to normal once I restarted my computer, but when I went back to my usual setup my fan is still incredibly loud. I attempted to restart my computer again, but that didn't help. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
Just to clarify a few things, the fan begun to act up as soon as I entered Single User mode. I've tried looking into my System Preferences settings, but changing my Processor Performance doesn't seem to do anything unless there's something I need to do along with changing the setting. Thanks in advance!

And just to be clear, in Single User Mode the computer's feedback about temps is not functioning... so your Mac assumes the worst, and keeps those suckers going full blast.
I find this to be the case when it has crashed and I re-start in SUM. But if I shutdown normally, usually you can start in SUM and be ok fan noise wise.
Quad 2.5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Single-User Mode Copying Files/System Does not Boot Past Apple Logo Screen

I have a Macbook 2.0GHZ, 2GB RAM, that recently tried to download a secuirty and keynot update. Following the download the system will no longer boot past the Apple Logo Screen with the spinning wheel. I do not have access to a OS disk yet or to a firewire cable either. I've have seen posts from others that describe how to use traget disk mode to reinstall the secuirty update manually and then they can boot their computer. Safe mode will not work. I did boot into single-user mode and run the disk utility there and it says my HD is OK. Since I do not have a firewire or an OS Disk, I am wondering if there is a way to copy those files i need to a USB pen stick then install them onto the computer via single-user mode, considering this is the only way I can boot and manipulate the machine at this time. If this is not possible please let me know so I can find a way to scrounge up a firewire cable or disk. Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Ted K

Thanks to Limnos and BDAqua I know you guys have helped others with these kind of problems from the other posts I read. I just want to list what I did exactly in case anyone wants to try to do this with a usb drive or does not have access to a boot disk or firewire cable.
1: Install security update on a pen drive
2: Boot in single user mode, CMD-S on startup
3: /sbin/mount -uw /
4: mkdir /Volumes/usb (usb can be any name, name of usb drive or anything you want)
5: ls /dev (you need to get the drive listing for the usb drive to mount it appropriately, it should be disk#s# but this is close to what the HD and Cd drives are listed as so you may need to list once before you put the usb stick in and once ater. I had issues inserting the usb drive in single-user mode and it would freeze up the root drive)
6: /sbin/mount_msdos /dev/disk1s1 /Volumes/usb (this mounts the usb drive, i had to use msdos because of how my usb drive was formatted, you may need to check your usb drive format, hfs is the apple format for usb drives but it did not work for me)
7: cp /Volumes/usb/SecUpd2009-001Intel.dmg (this copies the files from the usb drive to the root drivel, at this point you no longer need the usb drive)
8: hdiutil mount /SecUpd2009-001Intel.dmg (this mounts the disk image)
9: cd /Volumes/"Security Update 2009-001" (after i mounted the image this is how it appeared in the Volumes directory, you might need to do ls /Volumes to get the name, the quotes are important to get the whole file directory changed)
10: installer -pkg SecUpd2009-001Intel.pkg -target / (this installs the acutal update, i used the SecUpd2009-001Intel.pkg and it worked though I think you might be able to use "Security Update 2009-001" with quotes as well.)
11: reboot
i hope this helps anyone looking to do this. Thanks again to those who helpes and all the other posts that had information that helped me identify and then fix my issue! I still love my mac.

Can't exit single user mode

I frequently start in single user mode to run fsck -fy on my startup disk
and after running fsck -fy, I exit single user mode typing exit or logout.
Now after running fsck -fy, typing exit or logout the single user mode remains
and returns a line: -sh-2.05b#. I’m not adept enough to use single user mode
other than for running fsck -fy so I am stuck on how to end the single user mode. TIA
Eric

Some stories have happy endings and this is one of them.
After a little head scratching I dig out the Tiger install DVD
and repaired the permissions on the problem HD partition.
Reboot to the problem disk, enter correct network settings, and
now we even have a web to surf. Also we can exit single user mode OK.
Eric

Mac not booting normally after running '/sbin/fsck -fy' in Single user mode

HI, I tried to log in to single user mode and run the '/sbin/fsck -fy' command. This command failed. So I rebooted my Macbook pro by 'reboot' command. On bootup I hear the chime shoud and can see the Mac Symbol but never reach the login prompt. The round circle keeps rotating over the gray screen and nothing happens.
Then I again hard rebooted mac book and entered single user mode. I ran again '/sbin/fsck -fy' many times and after many attempts the command stuck and never returned.
Then I tried using the recovery method to reinstall MAC OS X. It asked me to choose the Harddrive where to install MAC OSX. But the option of "macintosh HD" was disabled and message was " hard drive locked".
Please help me how to boot my MAC normally :'(

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
Boot in Recovery again and open Disk Utility. Then, choose "Macintosh HD" in the sidebar and repair the hard drive. If it is repaired, restart and OS X should start correctly. If not, you will probably have to format the hard disk.
You only have to use that command when you have problems with the Mac OS X volume filesystem that they couldn't be repaired with Disk Utility, and as this command got stuck, probably damaged the OS X volume filesystem

Can you run a bash script on boot in single user mode

Hey guys quick question.
Is it possible to run a bash script on boot in single user mode.
I can create a file and dump it on the root hd.
Let's call it repair.
I can then boot to single user mode and run it by typing /repair.
But I want it to do it automatically.
Every time I go into my machines that I clean for my job. I have to run sbin/fsck -fy
Then I have to mount the drive and then remove all cache files, then reboot the machines.
I would like to automate this by just holding command s and then moving to the next computer.
There must be some sort of boot daemon somewhere.
Please help.
Sincerely,
John

Have you seen Applejack?
http://applejack.sourceforge.net/
It doesn't start automtically, but does cleanup.
Robert

Safari 3.1.1 Extremely slow startup times (Suddenly)

Hi I'm running a Macbook with a 2.4 GHz Processor, (Intel Core 2 Duo), 4 Gigs of ram and Mac OSX Leopard 10.5.3.
this mac is about 2 months old and suddenly am having extremely slow startup times with Safari. The rest of the computer is very fast, this problem is only with safari... It used to open with about 2 or 3 bounces on the dock... now suddenly its around 15-20 bounces before it opens. It bounces this many times, and then I receive the beach ball for a few seconds. I am assuming it is probably a build up of some files, or tasks it runs through to open... It is worst when you open it for the first time after powering on the mac, after you open it, and close it it opens up a bit faster.
I have tried the basics, i.e. resetting safari and things like that.
Most of the suggestions for deleting files out of the User>Library> are for older OS's and do not apply to Leopard...
Any suggestions?

Navigate to this location: Macintosh HD/Users/YOURUSERNAME/Library/Preferences and delete the following files:
com.apple.safari.plist
com.apple.safari.RSS.plist
Do this with Safari NOT running. See if that solves the problem.

Stuck on start up: error loading kernel 0x6 code... fix?

My Macbook Pro is suddenly not starting up or taking ages to start up (managed to get it on and posting this)
Sometimes stuck on the apple logo, or it might flash a stop icon for a brief moment.
I loaded verbose up and i got a error loading kernel 0x6 error code.
_I cannot secure empty trash, or just never stops emptying, this is usually the reason for me to re-start.
_Some apps are now just crashing straight away and never stay open.
_I've recently installed a new ssd and put snow leopard on it etc..
Anything i can do or is it just a re-install os job?

Done a disk verify once i got it open..
2010-11-18 14:21:06 +0000: Checking catalog file.
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: Incorrect block count for file CACHE_003
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: (It should be 39 instead of 43)
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: Checking multi-linked files.
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: Checking catalog hierarchy.
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: Checking extended attributes file.
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: Invalid node structure
2010-11-18 14:21:07 +0000: The volume Macintosh HD could not be verified completely.
Then did one using the start up disk but it could not be completed.
I fear a fresh install is needed

Error loading kernel in SUM

My hardrive is very unstable.
I am trying to copy off the user folder at minimum.
I am able to pull the drive out of the G5 and put it in a USB external enclosure.
I can get it to show up as an external but after a few minutes of copying the files off the drives crashes.
I have tried booting into singel user mode but I get a "error loading kernel 'mach_kernel' (0x7).
See attached photo.
1. Is there anything else I can do to copy the files off?
2. Would Data Rescue 3 help?

Do you think "Archive and Install: Preserving User Settings" would make the drive stable enough to copy off the user folder?
It is probable that it will if the issue is indeed just missing OS X files.
It can also help in the case of corrupt files.
It is very hard to say, though, not knowing any more about the issue than what is said here...
Call it a YMMV type of deal (Your Mileage May Vary).
I do not want to risk losing the user folder contents. I can see that everything appears to be there, but I only get 3-4 minutes before the bad drive disconnects.
Any writing on or heavy use of a compromised disk is risky.
If the drive "goes away" during the A&I, things will likely get worse as far as file availability.
I would backup/copy whatever I could, even if it is one file/one document/one photo at a time, before the A&I.
Otherwise..... well, the "otherwise" makes me nervous.........

Error loading kernel 'mach_kernel' (x800012

not able to boot computer, booting in safe mode and get error loading kernel 'mach_kernel. Have tried to repair with boot disk but unable to be repaired, is only option to erase and reload operating system?

Unfortunately DU can't fix all that much, your best bet is DiskWarrior, you need the CD/DVD though.
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/
But others that may work…
Drive Genius 2…
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/drive_genius.php
TechTool Pro 4…
http://www.micromat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=83

Macbook Pro 2.2 GHz Kernel Panic on Startup, except single user mode

No matter what I have tried, my Macbook Pro will only boot in single user mode. It won't start from my backup drive, or the OS X disc as it always gets a kernel panic after about 15 sec. I am not sure if there is some troubleshooting I can do from the command line.
I tried running system profiler to see if the NVidia card is at fault, but system profiler doesn't finish it's output.
I have run a disc scan and it says the hard drive is ok.
Any help would be much appreciated - a local Apple Auth Service Tech couldn't help me.

So I just ran Apple Hardware Test and first two attempts get code:
4SNS/1/40000000: TB0T
Anybody? Logic Board?
And on a third attempt:
4VDC/1/40000003: VideoController

How do i repair my hard drive in single user mode when disk is full?

Hi there Apple Community!
I have an old Macbook Pro 17" with an upgraded 500GB harddrive and 4GB memory. I'm running Mac OSX Lion.
Was hoping you could help me out. THis is the situation:
Long story short I spilt wine on my macbook and the screen went a bit blobby. Switched it off for a few days, removed the battery etc. etc. Opened it up cleaned out as much of the wine as possible, but unfortunately some of it came in behind the LCD, so now the screen has a nice red stain. Obviously I'm not going to try to clean that out of the LCD.
My Macbook Pro still worked for a few days after that, but then my harddrive gave up. I booted in the Recovery HD menu, verified the drive and I got the error "Keys out of order - This disk needs to be repaired, click Repair Disk." I attempted to repair the disk but got the error "Keys out of order - Disk Full Error - The volume could not be repaired".
Unfortnately of this 500GB I only have about 7GB free on it, as I have a huge iPhoto and iTunes library. I did make a TIme Machine backup of my user directory, but not the system files. I don't really want to do a clean install because:
1) I'm paranoid that there's something I did not fully back up
2) I don't want to have to download the whole Mac OSX Lion again. I should have made a USB bootable backup when I had the chance. I don't have access to a broadband connection.
What I feel are my viable options, are as follows:
1) I did buy a replacement internal 500GB harddrive, so I can probably try to make an image of the hard drive to this new drive, but not sure how. I believe it's through the Disk Utility with the "New Image" option but not sure how to go from there.
2) Start up in Single User Mode and delete some unnecessary files and re-attempt to run the fschk -fy utility again (I tried this earlier and got the same Disk Full Error). - the problem with this is, I'm not familiar with the command line and have no clue how to delete files. I don't know my way around Unix.
3) I can also probably attempt to make a Ghost Image or Acronis Image of the failed drive to this new drive, but not sure if Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image will be able to read this HFS drive - I believe it's possible as it's a simple hard drive clone.
If you can guide me in the best option - probably there is a better solution than my proposed ones above, I appreciate any feedback and comments you might have!

hi Baltwo,
So I ended up copying my user folder to another harddrive. I managed to download the whole osx lion again, reinstalled, and recovered my home folder using this discussion:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428
I have managed to get all my files back. My iTunes library works fine, but my iPhoto library when I open it, get the following error:
iPhoto cannot be opened because of a problem.
Here's the error log
Process:         iPhoto [1540]
Path:            /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/MacOS/iPhoto
Identifier:      com.apple.iPhoto
Version:         8.1.2 (8.1.2)
Build Info:      iPhotoProject-4240000~8
Code Type:       X86 (Native)
Parent Process: launchd [209]
Date/Time:       2012-09-19 19:56:45.528 +0200
OS Version:      Mac OS X 10.7.4 (11E53)
Report Version: 9
Sleep/Wake UUID: 7948ABE2-5294-4F87-B6E3-777095A2F2EE
Interval Since Last Report:          4780 sec
Crashes Since Last Report:           9
Per-App Crashes Since Last Report:   9
Anonymous UUID:                      70117D38-03EA-4F9C-B810-50B743864B9E
Crashed Thread: 0
Exception Type: EXC_BREAKPOINT (SIGTRAP)
Exception Codes: 0x0000000000000002, 0x0000000000000000
Application Specific Information:
dyld: launch, loading dependent libraries
Dyld Error Message:
Library not loaded: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/iLifeSlideshow.framework/Versions/A/iLifeSlid eshow
Referenced from: /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/MacOS/iPhoto
Reason: image not found
I've done an Apple Software Update but it didn't find an update for iPhoto.
One thing to note is, this library was originally created on iLife 08, upgraded to '09 and it stayed on that version. It hasn't een upgraded to iLife '11. It worked fine on my previous install of OSX Lion. How do I recover the library without upgrading to '11 ?

Extremely slow startup/"Error loading kernel" when single user mode is run

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