IMac login problems on any 10.6 update

I have a 24" iMac that is 2 years old. After using snow leopard on my husband's new macbook I decided to get it for my imac. The base install of 10.6 works fine but of course it immediately wants to be updated to a new release. If I update it past the base install from the CD I get login problems.
What happens is that the desktop appears and the finder menu is at the top but the date and network status etc - everything from the top right of the menu bar is missing. The computer will not move forward. No amount of waiting or button pushing will improve the situation.
Sometimes I could log in to another account but then it would start happening on that acocunt too. I made myself a new account and it started happening on that too. Every time if I did a re-install of the base 10.6 from the CD it went back to working fine. I would have to say no to every update of 10.6 on software update. This has been going on for 6 months. I thought maybe with 10.6.4 they fixed it but it did it again.
yesterday I did a fresh install. Thinking it was caused by my old quicken 2007 or parallels (though its v 5) or something else that has some bit that starts at login I formatted the HD , installed 10.6 fresh and installed nothing but ilife 9. I downloaded the 10.6.4 update and it still happens. I logged off my account and logged back in to test and it froze again. I am at my wits end. The only thing I saved from my old profile was my mail folder. I can find nothing else to fix. Any ideas?

SamNS wrote:
the desktop appears and the finder menu is at the top but the date and network status etc - everything from the top right of the menu bar is missing.
Do things behave better if you boot into "safe mode" by holding down a shift key while your Mac is booting?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

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IMac Login Problems

I have an iMac (intel) that is now 5 years old and I'm using Mac OSX Leopard - I intend to upgarde to Lion next month
Twice in the past few days when I've tried to login the login screen has gone into what I can only describe as a loop - I enter the password (yes I've got the right one!), the computer thinks about it for a few seconds, the screen goes blue and the login screen comes back and it just keeps on doing that. I've tried restarting but the same thing happens. The only thing I've found to do is start up from the installation disc and restore from Time Machine then I can login and work as normal for a couple of days then the same thing happens again.
Can anybody suggest what might be wrong and/or point me in the direction of a permanent solution?
Thanks
Enid James

SamNS wrote:
the desktop appears and the finder menu is at the top but the date and network status etc - everything from the top right of the menu bar is missing.
Do things behave better if you boot into "safe mode" by holding down a shift key while your Mac is booting?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

Another major problem after 10.4.8 update

Hi everyone,
I've never had any major problem with any Mac OS update yet until I had the crazy idea to install the 10.4.8 update last week. I wish I would have never done this. This is also the first time I wish I had Windows since I can't remember such a big screw up with any Windows update I've seen.
But back to the problem, after the installation on my old 12" Powerbook (1.33GHz with an additional 1GB of RAM) the system got really slow. The harddisk was accessed all the time, so after reading some forums people said that Spotlight would run a re-index of the database which made sense to me. So I just let it run over night and the next day the permanent HDD access was gone, but whenever I tried to access a folder it took ages (HDD access again...). So I decided to reboot which took about 20 minutes until the desktop fully showed up and was useable. Again, I had HDD access all the time. After two hours or so it stopped again, but as soon as I clicked on something, for example a folder, it started again. At that point the Powerbook was simply not useable anymore because I couldn't even start a program.
So I start browsing through several forums and many people suggested to re-install the 10.4.8 combo update again. That's what I tried, after a while I could only hear the HDD access running and running. The installer said 29 minutes left and progress bar didn't move any further. I had it running for over a hour like that. I couldn't abort it, I could start no other software, nothing. It still showed 29 minutes and the HDD was accessed all the time.
So I restarted the Powerbook since this obviously wasn't going anywhere. Apple logo came up, the little gear spinning thing as well and of course I could hear the HDD being accessed. After two hours of doing this I aborted and decided to boot into safe mode to install the combo update. Again, same situation. HDD running like crazy and Apple logo, but no login screen coming up.
So I decided to boot from the Install disk and have the disc utility check the HDD... but of course after selecting the language and clicking continue at the screen when the HDD first shows up it starts to access the HDD... I can't select the HDD, I can't even get to the DU, nothing. It's been running like that for hours now. It seems like whenever the HDD is involved in something the accessing starts and just keeps running without any result. The HDD is getting very hot already.
I've never run into such a problem before, so I'm kinda clueless what to do next. I don't mind to reinstall, but I have some files on that HDD that I need (some notes in text files, some emails and so on).
So at this point I can't boot into OS X to access the HDD and I can't use the installer disk to access DU or even reinstall if I wanted to. I don't think the HDD is broken, this only happened after the 10.4.8 update. It just seems that every HDD access takes hours and hours longer than it should.
What options do I have to get my data from the disk? I'll try to install OS X to a new external drive tomorrow (need one with firewire first). If that doesn't help I thought about pulling out the HDD from the Powerbook and hook it up to my MacMini or an iMac.
If anyone has any other suggestion or solved a similar problem before, please let me know.
Best,
Stephan

See my FAQ:
http://www.macmaps.com/WIFI1048.html

I purchased my iMac used. When I try to update my apps the computer automatically fills in the previous owner's Apple ID and I can't change it. Any ideas?

I purchased my iMac used. When I try to update apps in AppStore, the computer automatically fills in the previous owner's email address and it won't let me delete it to enter mine. I have been using my own apple ID and password on this computer for other things without a problem. Any ideas?

Before buying a second-hand computer, you should have run Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test, whichever is applicable.
The first thing to do after buying the computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.
How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.
It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.
1. If you don't own another Mac
a. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.
b. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received the media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
c. If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
d. Some 2010-2011 models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you can't reinstall 10.6 even from the original media, and Internet Recovery will not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.
2. If you do own another Mac
If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.
3. Partition and install OS X
a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.
b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.
c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:
          OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner
          The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault
          You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)
In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.
d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.
4. Other issues
a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.
c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

Mid 2006 iMac Boot Problem (Since latest firmware update)

I have a Mid 2006 17" iMac. Ever since the latest firmware update in early December, about every other startup I've been having boot problems. After the white screen with the Apple Logo and the spinning wheel it goes to a blue screen like normal, but instead of the 'Loading Mac OS X' white window popping up it stays blue and the spinning loading wheel starts. I've left it loading for quite a while before and nothing changes. I have to do a force shut off by holding the power button. and then I start it up and it will boot normally.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

Actually, I think it'san early 2006.

After updating to 10.10.3, now my Macbook Pro will not stay logged in. I log in after restarting, and it will stay logged in for 3-5 seconds then immediately log off and go back to the login screen. Any help?

After updating to 10.10.3, now my Macbook Pro 15" (mid-2014) will not stay logged in. I log in after restarting, and it will stay logged in for 3-5 seconds then immediately log off and go back to the login screen. Any help?
By the way, I also updated my Macbook Pro 17" (mid-2009) and it seems to be running fine, though I haven't tried to restart it and log in. I'm afraid I won't be able to get this one to work either if I do.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

I have a 2008 imac with snow leopard. i installed update 10.9.3 not realizing it's best for Maverick's users. Now my Itunes 11.2.2 won't burn playlists to CD.   Anyone else with this problem? CAn I uninstall the 10.9.3 update?

i have a 2008 imac with snow leopard. i installed update 10.9.3 not realizing it's best for Maverick's users. Now my Itunes 11.2.2 won't burn playlists to CD.   Anyone else with this problem? CAn I uninstall the 10.9.3 update? Also my HP scannerwill not save the displayed scanned document since this update! it just saves gray.

If you have your old system backed up then erase the drive and restore your backup. If you don't have a backup then backup your entire Home folder. Erase the drive and install Snow Leopard after which you can restore your Home folder from the backup.
Clean Install of Snow Leopard
Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase
the drive and everything on it.
     1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
         with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
         After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see
         a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
     2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
         button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
         After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
         size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of
         partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
         and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended
         (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.
     3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed
         with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
     4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
         Assistant. Be sure you configure your initial admin account with the exact same
         username and password that you used on your old drive. After you finish Setup
         Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh
         install of OS X. You can now begin the update process by opening Software
         Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your installation current.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Or you can:
Try these in order testing your system after each to see if it's back to normal:
1. a. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
    b. Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode, then restart again, normally. If this doesn't help, then:
     Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the
     COMMAND and R keys until the Utilities 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.
3. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
     Reinstall the 10.9.3 update: OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Update (Combo).
4. Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks: Reboot from the Recovery HD. Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks from the Utilities menu, and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
Reinstall the 10.9.3 update: OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Update (Combo).

Login problems after update to Safari 3.1

Hi, ever since I updated to Safari 3.1.0 I have been unable to login to any site that requests a login. I have checked if it has a problem with secure websites and I can load a secure page ie: https://www.verisign.com with no problem, also seems happy if I used any site that had been logged into before. The later no longer work after I cleared the cache and cookies to try to fix the login problem. I have run all updates so am on 3.1.2 with no change. Strange thing is, I can get to any site with login on Firefox and camino with out problems. Any ideas to help fix this as it's driving me nuts.

I have the same problem. I enter username and password and I get dumped back to the login screen. It isn't the username/password error screen, it is the original login screen.
I've reset/trashed everything I can think of but that hasn't helped.
Anyone know where I can get a 3.0 version?

Updates on 27" iMac - question on any issues following updates

I have become very wary about just clicking the button to download updates on prompt on my 27" iMac following a series of problems with 10.6.3. update now finally resolved,
The current batch of updates are:-
27" iMac Firmware Update V 1.0
Digital Camera Compatability 3.2
Safari 4.0.5
Epson Printer 2.3.1
Security Update 1.0 2010-003
I have real concerns over the Firmware update for the 27" as installation involves the fan running at high speed - and there have been lots of new reports on the forum with fans suddenly running at high speed and I wondered if this might have a connection.
Please could anyone let me know if they have run the updates and have experienced any issues on any of them.
Many thanks

Updated my 27" with all the latest, zero problems. Fans work fine.
FWIW, I update all my machines as soon as new updates come out, have had trouble exactly one time in the last ten years. That was caused by the Unsanity APE which was easy to fix once I figured out the problem.
I've always wondered what percent of the Mac population the trouble reports in these forums represent. My speculation - no data - is that it's a minority, albeit rightfully vocal.
In any case, I have no qualms about early updating, have never been bit, but to be sure, YMMV.

HT204266 My iPad (version 1, IOS 5.1) has quit connecting with the store. I am unable to update or buy any app. I did a reboot and a reset with deleting the data. I can not find anything in support for this problem. Any help will be appreciated.

My iPad (version 1, IOS 5.1) has quit connecting with the store. I am unable to update or buy any app. I did a reboot and a reset with deleting the data. I can not find anything in support for this problem. Any help will be appreciated.

My iPad (version 1, IOS 5.1) has quit connecting with the store. I am unable to update or buy any app. I did a reboot and a reset with deleting the data. I can not find anything in support for this problem. Any help will be appreciated.

TS1925 iPad IOS 7.0.2 and Mountain Lion 10.8.5 Calendar colors do not match between computer and device. Problem did not exist until updated IOS arrived. Colours change of their own free will despite being corrected on both iPAD and MacBook Pro. Any an

iPad IOS 7.0.2 and Mountain Lion 10.8.5 Calendar colors do not match between computer and device. Problem did not exist until updated IOS arrived. Colours change of their own free will despite being corrected on both iPAD and MacBook Pro. Any answers?

Please do not post the entire messages log as it takes up unnecessarily a lot of space. It seems that there is a corrupt/nonfunctional file called
[email protected]nt.plist
Go to your hard drive, enter library, go into users, and go into launch agents and delete the thing above. Empty the trash and restart.

HT5654 after update to the latest version on my ipad, it no longer connects to the internet nor can i send emails. when plugged in to sync with itunes, it remains 'stuck' at syncing step 2 of 7 backing up. has anyone had similar problems? any solutions

after update to the latest version on my ipad, it no longer connects to the internet nor can i send emails. when plugged in to sync with itunes, it remains 'stuck' at syncing step 2 of 7 backing up. has anyone had similar problems? any solutions?

I had this problem. I held down the power switch to power down completely. Takes a few seconds. Then use the power switch to turn on. Might take a couple goes.
Kirk

Just bought a new iphone 5 i have an old imac computer OSX 10.5.8 and itune version 10 (updated at great cost last year for iphone4) it dosen't let me restore data... any chance of update or do i have to thow away my computer (and never by Mac aga data 0

Just bought a new iphone 5, i have an old imac computer OSX 10.5.8 and itune version 10 (updated at great cost last year for iphone4) it dosen't let me restore data... any chance of update or do i have to thow away my computer (and never by Mac again?)

You an use your iPhone without connecting it to a computer.
But the product description for the iPhone clearly states that in order to sync with a Mac you must have OSX 10.6.8 or later. That version of the OSX is usually called Snow Leopard. There are two mo recent versions of OSX. OSX 10.7.x (Lion) and OSX 10.8.x (Mountain Lion).
If you can upgrade your computer to at least Snow Leopard I suggest you do so.

Problem with IPad , did an update as requested now it does nothing, but display a graphic that shows I should connect to ITunes . So I connect it to my IMac run ITunes nothing happens. Try restore pop up says not eligible for restore.

Wow what a pile of crap you must wade through to ask a question .
Ok so the problem is I did an update on my IPad and now it does nothing but show a graphic showing the power cable connecting to ITunes
So I connect iPad to my IMac and prompt iTunes nothing happens. So I try sinc nothing happens.
So I try restore and the popup says I am not eligible for restore.
What is going on with this stupid machine

Machines are incapable of being stupid. Not so of their operators.
Placing your device into recovery (DFU-Device Firmware Upgrade) mode:
Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.
   1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but leave the
       other end of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.
   2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds
       until the red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.
              * If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the
                Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off,
                release the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons.
3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the
       device. The device should turn on. Note: If you see the battery charge warning,
       let the device charge for at least ten minutes to ensure that the battery has some
       charge, and then start with step 2 again.
4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.
       When this screen appears you can release the Home button:
5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:
6. Use iTunes to restore the device.
If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links.
Additional Information:
If you have a problem getting into recovery mode then try: RecBoot: Easy Way to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode.
Note: When using recovery mode, you can only restore the device. All user content on the device will be erased, but if you had previously synced with iTunes on this computer, you can restore from a previous backup. See this article for more information.

In my iphone4s and my iPad every time who I ask an update or down load an application ask me a bill account at the past I have not a problem to downloaded any application or update until one time I bought one application

I try to downloaded any application or update to my iPhone or my iPad but asked me a billing acount. In the past any time who I asked any application or updated it was free until one time I bought one application with my bank debit cards once every time since then every time I want to download an application or update shows my account problem and not receive another card.

Contact iTunes Customer Service and request assistance
Use this Link > Apple Support iTunes Store Contact

IMac login problems on any 10.6 update

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