IMac G5 only starts up in Single-User Mode

I am using an iMac G5 with the lastest version of Tiger.
I was trying to make a my.cnf file for MySQL for it to start logging queries, however was having some trouble doing so. After restarting MySQL a few times it would not start up any more, so I tried restarting the computer.
After doing this Personal Web Sharing (httpd) would say that it was running although would not serve pages. So I tried restarting httpd which got it running properly, however I still had the same problem with MySQL, where it would not start running (the Preference pane would not respond when clicking "Start".)
So I tried restarting again. Now my iMac will only boot into single-user mode.
I read somewhere about modifying the boot-args, however have not had a chance to try it yet. I don't see why this would do anything however, as I'm not sure why that would have been changed in the first place?
Has anyone heard of a similar instance, which is possibly related to MySQL?
Thank you in advance for any help.
- Jeff
G5 iMac   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

I solved this. I was able to boot up in verbose mode and note that a certain missing file '/etc/hostconfig' was mysteriously missing and causing an error at the boot-up. I was able to boot this mac up in Target Disk mode and copy the file into the /etc/ directory from a backup through another Mac and now it's working fine, thank G-d!
- Jeff

Similar Messages

  • Starting up in single-user mode problem

    I'm trying to start up in single user mode using the Apple article. I ran fsck and everything checked out fine but when I type /sbin/mount -uw / I just get another prompt(#). I want to restore defaults because the users pane is blank. Iv'e tried trashing prefs,ect with no change. I'm sure i'm typing it in correctly. Any suggestions wil be appreciated.
    iMac G5 1.8 17   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

    I'm working with an iBook 600 OSX 10.4.3 that had a problem with a dialog box constantly coming up asking for the keychain password which had no password and you could just cancel out of it. I deleted some keychain user info and that's when the accounts pane became an empty window. So I'm going to use the Terminal to restore from defaults. I'm assuming that I won't loose any data doing this. It looks like my only option other than a wipe of the hard drive.
    iMac G5 1.8 17   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

  • MacBook randomly starting up in single-user mode

    Hi, for a few weeks now my MacBook's been starting up in single-user mode by itself, without me touching anything. The thing is, it only happens about half the time - otherwise it's booting up normally. I wiped my drive and reinstalled Lion, ran fsck and used disk utility several times, but it's still happening.
    Anyone got any idea of what could be the problem?
    Thanks.

    My friend, you are onto something Turning my keyboard on *after* startup for the last week and it hasn't happened once! Any idea why it's doing that? Thanks!

  • Powerbook -can't start up in single user mode or from CD-why?

    My daughter was gifted a Powerbook (15"). I've upgraded it to 10.5.8. It has enough speed, (1.67 Ghz), 2 gigs RAM- but it is a sticky little machine- it freezes a lot. Froze twice during the upgrade, froze once during login, Froze once while trying to do a software update, froze once while trying to get into the system preferences. It freezes pretty consistently after 15-30 minutes or so, no matter what it's doing -if a program is running or not. I tried downloading AppleJack to run a diagnostic. That requires starting up from single user mode. I tried to do that , but the machine just opens to the login screen. I also tried running TechTool from the CD, and the machine wouldn't start up from CD either. What should I try next?

    Try this one for some information.

  • MBP starts up in Single User Mode by default..

    I restarted the machine because the trackpad was acting up. After file vault reclaimed unused disk space, the computer restarted with a black screen with "localhost :/ root#" in the upper left screen. I know very little unix so please forgive my lack of lingo.
    How can I possibly get back to the graphical multi user login? I have tried to restart in safe mode and from the install dvd but they just bring me back to the "localhost :/ root#" black screen. I have also restarted holding down the option key to select a drive, which I set to my drive name, and same thing-- Apple logo on a grey screen, spinning gear, then black screen localhost :/ root#. Only thing I havent tried that im aware of is target mode, but my other computer (Rev A. iMac) which is the machine I am writng this from is on OS 9 with no fire wire and just a 4g drive.
    So I need some advice if you have any. Hardware appears fine save for the trackpad and button being touchy. Apple has already replaced my swelling battery. They told me the new mbp's have a barrier between the the battery and trackpad assembly, (a prior neglected, inherent design flaw).
    I do have a new USB external hd. Is there any way to login my home folder and completely copy the home folder contents to it in single user mode? If I could do this, I would at least be able to keep my itunes librarys, playlists, keychain data, mail, etc.. Thanks in advance for any help any of you may have

    Ok, I did the dmesg command at the prompt. Here is word for word what it spit out:
    localhost:/ root# dmesg
    hi mem tramps at 0xffe00000
    PRE enabled
    standard timeslicing quantum 10000 us
    vmpagebootstrap:513016 free pages
    migtable_maxdispl = 71
    Enabling XMM register save/restore and SSE/SSE2 opcodes
    96 prelinked modules
    ACPI CA 20060421
    AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement: ready
    AppleACPICPU: ProcessorApicId=0 LocalApicId=0 Enabled
    AppleACPICPU: ProcessorApicId=1 LocalApicId=1 Enabled
    Copyright (c) 1982, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993
    The Regents of The University of California. All Rights Reserved.
    using 10485 buffer headers and 4096 cluster IO buffer headers
    Enabling XMM register save/restore and SSE/SSE2 opcodes
    Started CPU 01
    IOAPIC: Version 0x20 Vectors 64:87
    ACPI: System State [S0 S3 S4 S5] (S3)
    Security auditing service present
    BSM Auditing Present
    disabled
    rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: 00001B5D-7D26-0000-2F5D-000090200000
    Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key>IOProviderClass</key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string></dict>
    USB caused wake event (EHCI)
    FireWire (OHCI) Lucent ID 5811 PCI now active, GUID 0016cbfffe523440; max speed s400.
    Got boot device =IOService:/AppleACPIPlatformExpert/PCI0@0/AppleACPIPCI/SATA@1F,2/AppleAHCI/PRT 2@2/IOAHCIDevice@0/AppleAHCIDiskDriver/IOAHCIBlockStorageDevice/IOBlockStorageDr iver/ST9100824AS Media/IOGUIDPartitionScheme/Customer02
    BSD root: disk0s2, major 14, minor 2
    CSRHIDTransitionDriver::probe:
    CSRHIDTransitionDriver::start before command
    CSRHIDTransitionDriver::stop
    IOBluetoothHCIController::start Idle Timer Stopped
    disk0s2: 0xe0030005 (UNDEFINED).
    localhost:/ root#
    A couple of things to note:
    1. I did have an external bootable drive, which does work properly when selected as the Startup Disk, but still registers when not plugged in the machine.
    2 File Vault is turned on. And let me tell you. If you ever use more than half your drive space, as most people do, you will have a humbling experience. File Vault is overkill. I am angry that Apple could not come up with a "fail-safe" for legitimate, password bearing rightful owners.
    I just want one chance to get in my home folder to get what I want (my music, photos, mail, passwords, widgets, etc.)

  • Unable to start up in "Single User Mode."

    I am on an Intel Mac Pro. I can't seem to start up in the Single User Mode.
    I hold down the Command and S keys during startup, but always get to my regular screen, logged in to my account. I changed the login options from automatic to off, but the same thing still happens. Any help would be appreciated.

    Hi
    Have you possibly set yourself a firmware password? Further instructions here:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1352
    Tony

  • Can't start up in single user mode

    MacBook was shipped to me carelessly and now I can't get it to boot up. Tried just about everything, but wondering if there's any other way besides Apple + S to get it in Unix mode.

    Thought I should add that after a long wait, a grey folder with a question mark pops up. It's not flashing, just solid. And eventually that disappears and goes back to a white screen.

  • Powerbook won't start, got message i don't understand in single-user mode

    PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)
    About a week ago my powerbook (purchased in Dec '03, running 10.3.9) froze while I was using it. I had to manually shut it off, and then it would not restart (got stuck on grey screen with gear). I was able to start it up again once in Safe Mode, at which point I downloaded and ran Macaroni. Upon reboot, it wouldn't start up at all, staying on the grey screen for 15-20 minutes before I gave up. Now, I've tried starting it in Single-user mode. At the command I typed "fsck -fy" and the following message was returned:
    "Singleuser boot -- fsck not done
    Root device is mounted read-only
    If you want to make modifications to files,
    run ' /sbin/fsck -y' first and then '/sbin/mount -uw /'
    localhost:/ root# "
    Does anyone have any idea what this means?
    I am expecting the worse, I made a bootable back up in august, but was hoping to get it to start at least once more so i could update that back up or email myself some files. The only other possibly relevant info is that when it froze last week it started making really really loud repetitive noises (as if the hard drive was stuck?). For a while there I was also hearing an odd humming noise whenever i plugged in the AC adapter.
    Well, any help would be truly appreciated.
    thanks in advance..
    PowerBook G4   Mac OS X (10.3.9)  

    The two observations may be related. It is possible that the power adapter has developed a fray or short, and is giving insufficient power for the hard drive to operate properly. Do you have another Mac you can connect the machine to via Target Disk Mode after getting a replacement power adapter?
    I would also get a copy of Prosoft Data Rescue and an external hard drive that is Firewire at least as big as the internal hard drive. That will give you a chance to recover information if it is at all reachable.
    If the directory is damaged Alsoft Disk Warrior may be able to repair it, but I'd only run that after determining Prosoft Data Rescue is unable to rescue any usable data.
    I would not attempt to run any norton utilities on it, and if you have in the past don't do it again, as Disk Doctor and Speed Disk have been known to damage Mac OS X more than fix it.

  • Start SQL Server in single user mode with parameter -m doesn't work well

    C:\Windows\system32>net start mssqlserver /m "Microsoft SQL Server Management St
    udio - Query"
    The SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service is starting.
    The SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service was started successfully.
    C:\Windows\system32>sqlcmd -S . -e
    1> go
    1> select @@servername;
    2> go
    select @@servername;
    myserver
    (1 rows affected)
    1>
    As you can see, I'm still able to connect with sqlcmd prompt to SQL Server. According production doc of SQL Server 2014, it should not be conncting by sqlcmd. it shall only be connected by SSMS.
    below the original doc on msdn:
    Start SQL Server in Single-User Mode
    Provide Feedback
    Under certain circumstances, you may have to start an instance of SQL Server
    in single-user mode by using the startup option -m. For
    example, you may want to change server configuration options or recover a
    damaged master database or other system database. Both actions require starting
    an instance of SQL Server in single-user mode.
    Starting SQL Server in single-user mode enables any member of the computer's
    local Administrators group to connect to the instance of SQL Server as a member
    of the sysadmin fixed server role. For more information, see Connect to
    SQL Server When System Administrators Are Locked
    Out.
    When you start an instance of SQL Server in single-user mode, note the
    following:
    Only one user can connect to the server.
    The CHECKPOINT process is not executed. By default, it is executed
    automatically at startup.
    Note
    Stop the SQL Server Agent service before connecting to an instance of SQL
    Server in single-user mode; otherwise, the SQL Server Agent service uses the
    connection, thereby blocking it.
    When you start an instance of SQL Server in single-user mode, SQL Server
    Management Studio can connect to SQL Server. Object Explorer in Management
    Studio might fail because it requires more than one connection for some
    operations. To manage SQL Server in single-user mode, execute Transact-SQL
    statements by connecting only through the Query Editor in Management Studio, or
    use the
    sqlcmd utility.
    When you use the -m option with sqlcmd or
    Management Studio, you can limit the connections to a specified client
    application. For example, -m"sqlcmd" limits connections to a
    single connection and that connection must identify itself as the
    sqlcmd client program. Use this option when you are starting
    SQL Server in single-user mode and an unknown client application is taking the
    only available connection. To connect through the Query Editor in Management
    Studio, use -m"Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio - Query".
    Shawn

    Hi Shawn Xiao,
    For starting SQL Server instance in single user mode, we can add –m; parameter in SQL Server Configuration Manager, also we can run CMD with ‘Run as administrator’ and input the following statement.
    NET START MSSQLSERVER /m
    I do a test in SQL Server 2014 Express version, after starting SQL with Single User Mode, SQL Server will only accept one connection. If you connect to SQL Server with a user account, the following error will occur.
    Login failed for user ‘domain\username’. Reason: Server is in single user mode. Only one administrator can connect at this time.
    However, in your situation, you can connect to SQL Server and run T-SQL statement successfully, it can be due to connection with the administrator account in your sqlcmd.
    For more information, you can review the following article.
    http://zarez.net/?p=117
    Regards,
    Sofiya Li
    Sofiya Li
    TechNet Community Support

  • Stuck in single user mode OS 10.2.8

    I forgot the admin password for this old iMac and can't find the system disk. So I started up in single user mode by turning on power, after chime pressing command, then S and holding until type began to come up on screen. When cursor stopped after "sh-2.05a#" I typed in "/sbin/mount -uw /" and return (no, I didn't see where it said to do fsck -y first). Computer came back with "sh-2.05a#" so i typed in "passwd" and username for account to change, return. Cursor on blank line, typed new password, return. New blank line, typed new password, return. New blank line, typed reboot, return. New blank line and nothing happening. Tried reboot again. Nothing happening. Just getting new blank lines no matter what I type. What is best to do now?

    Thank you for the response. Data isn't an issue - I moved that to a newer computer some time ago. I just wanted to use the old computer for word processing and can actually do that through one of the user desktops. But it would be nice to have access to my desktop (the only admin), which is why I was trying to change the password.
    I was "stuck" in the sense of not knowing what was safe to do next. Hoping there would be no damage, I turned the computer off. When powered back on, it seemed to start up normally to the log in screen and I could log into one of the other desktops.
    I would still like to change the password. If I go back in and start with /sbin/fsck -fy, would that put me on the right track?
    I don't know if it makes any difference, but this is one of the early iMacs running both system nine and system ten.

  • 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 ?

  • Single User Mode: Searching for root...

    My 2 year old unplugged my PowerMac iMac G5 (single) and now it won't start up.
    I was finally able to boot up off of Disk Warrior and replace the directory, but it won't start up past the gray Apple screen. The fan comes on after about 45 seconds and blows hard. Then, I get the circle with a line through it, in gray. I've never seen that on a mac.. the international "no" sign.
    When trying to start up in Single User Mode, I get a long list of stuff either disabled, not found, missing etc and then it starts writing to the screen every 30 seconds a line like:
    Still searching for root.
    I've tried pulling the back off, resetting the SMU, starting up in Safe Mode, etc.
    This has happened with storms before and I can usually get it back.
    I don't have original install discs.

    When you say you have "OSX" but not the "original install disks" do you mean the mac originally came with an earlier version and you don't have those disks, but you have a retail copy of Tiger?
    The circle with the slash means that Open Firmware cannot find BootX. Basically, I think this means that Open Firmware recognises the startup volume as such but cannot hand control to the operating system at all. BootX is what it uses to get the operating system going. Without this, as you've seen, you cannot make even single-user mode.
    What is SMU?
    *Is your data backed up? If not, prioritise that unless you can afford to loose it.*
    Does DiskWarrior repair permissions? If not and you have the Tiger retail version, try running Disk Utility to do that. I don't think this will help, but it won't hurt.
    Do you have another Mac? If so and you have the retail Tiger, you might be able to use Pacifist to replace BootX (in /System/Library/CoreServices). Alternatively, if the other Mac is running the same version of the OS and is also a PPC Mac, you could try copying the file from that machine.
    Before you do any of this (with the exception of the permissions repair), try to backup any data you need if that's at all possible.
    - cfr

  • Can I mount a firewire device in single user mode?

    I've still got this idea I can rescue data from a hard drive that won't mount.
    I put my external backup drive on another iMac to simulate what would happen. Briefly,
    I plug in the drive, note the device name.
    I reboot into single user mode.
    The drive automatically powers off. Grrr.
    I turn it back on again. It does not show up in /dev

    How far did you go under "single user" mode? In "Tiger", running 'sh /etc/rc' (instructions to use this are included among the messages displayed starting up in single-user mode) starts up all sorts of things. Perhaps plugging in the drive after the script has run will have it show up in '/dev/' (I haven't tested this)...

  • Single-user mode freeze

    I am trying fsck a mac mini.
    When I start up in single-user mode, the keyboard(Bluetooth and usb) do not work. I have to unplug the cpu.
    Does this mean it's broke?

    Leopard.

  • Unable to Access Single User Mode on Macbook Air 2012

    I am unable to enter SINGLE USER mode on myMacbook Air 2012....I have made sure that there is no Firmware Password preventing me from doing so...what else
    could be the reason....any suggestions?

    So are you saying you try to start up as shown here:
    OS X Mountain Lion: Start up in single-user mode
    If so, what happens when you try?  What do you see?

Maybe you are looking for