Login gets stuck -- only volume keys get it unstuck

On two of my computers (iMac and Mac Mini -- both recent and both running Lion), the login screen often gets stuck.  I click the user to login or start typing a password and the computer just stops responding.  The only thing that fixes it is raising and/or lowering the volume (in either order, but it's the volume that does it).  Once the volume is changed, the system goes back to normal and the letters I typed appear (or rather dots do -- this is the password field after all).  Very occasionally it will get stuck twice during the same login.
This is obviously a huge issue logging in remotely because I can't get the volume keys to work via screen sharing (or at least I don't know how to).
This happened almost immediately upon setting up the systems, so I don't think there's a third party app issue at play.
Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

That is an extremly strange scenario, even for one computer, the fact it's happening on two is bizarre.

Similar Messages

  • Running a mid 2009 iMac on 10.7.5, 3 gb memory, 320 gb hd.    Suddenly the computer stoped reading DVDs and the only time I can read a CD is if I restart.  Quite often when I insert a CD it gets stuck and I cannot get it out until I restart and it shows u

    Running a mid 2009 iMac on 10.7.5, 3 gb memory, 320 gb hd. 
    Suddenly the computer stoped reading DVDs and the only time I can read a CD is if I restart.  Quite often when I insert a CD it gets stuck and I cannot get it out until I restart and it shows up on the desktop where I can then eject it.
    I have checked and double checked the finder prefs and all looks normal showing a check mark on CDs,DVDs etc. (the ones I want to show up on the desktop)
    I have reset the PEAM, repaired permissions with both the disk utility on the computer and the disk utility when I start up in the Recovery Disk.  I did notice that sometimes the permission repeat the same correction several times before it moves on, and sometimes it doesn’t. I have Windows installed on a partition but I keep it unmounted until it is needed for my wife’s work.  The dock seems to be just fine and all the apps seems to run just fine.  When I insert a photo CD iPhoto does not open but when I insert a music CD iTunes does open. 
    Also, most every time I open iPhoto it takes a long time(sometimes as long as 2 minutes) for it to load.
    Sometimes my Mail (Mail 5.3) does not post new mail but most of the time it does. 
    Once and a while it seems like the computer slows way down but then it seems ok ten minutes later.
    All  of these ‘things’ seemed to have happen suddenly and I have not downloaded anything from the internet in some time.
    Of course the warranty and extended warranty are both no longer in effect having had this computer for more than three years.
    I am running Java and Adobe Player because some of the sites I go to a lot require both.

    I believe that insufficient RAM may be the source of some of your problems. If you have a RAM of somewhere 4 to 8GB, you will experience smoother computing. 3GB doesn't seem right, so you might want to learn more by going to this site:
    http://www.crucial.com/store/drammemory.aspx
    I don't know what know what's happening with your optical drive, but it seems you use your drive quite a bit. In that case, look into a lens cleaner for your machine. It's inexpensive, works quite well.
    I hope you'll post here with your results!

  • My scanner get stuck, only in Archlinux

    Hi everyone, i have a problem with my scanner under Archlinux.
    I have a Benq 3300U, it had been worked perfectly, but i upgraded my Archilinux with pacman -Syu, and now my scanner get stuck.
    The problem is weir, scanimage -L and all scanner programs, detect my scanner with not problem, but when i select the device the problems begin, first at all the warming time is maybe twice longer than before, so, when I ask for a preview, it start fine and it scan all the preview, but when the lamp is returning to its normal position it get stuck, the lamp stop in the middle, and becomes blocked, there are not errors, if i disconnect the scanner and plug in again, it become usable again, but always get stuck when the lamp is returning to its normal place.
    Same happens if i scan a image manually with scanimage, but this problems only happens with Archilinux, i also have Windows and others Linux Distros in the same computer, and the scanner works in them with not problem.
    I have tried reinstalling sane and xsane, deleting all their configuration files, but always get the same problem.
    Thanks for any help.

    See my post http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php? … 75#p239175
    Greets
    dojo

  • Superdrive and itunes getting stuck

    Hello. I know lots of people have problems with the super drive getting stuck.
    My drive gets stuck sometimes when loading music or audiobooks. When it gets stuck on a song, i-tunes freezes up and the drive keeps repeating the same pattern trying to read the disc. It won't eject unless I force quit i-tunes. Sometimes then it will quit running and I can eject the disc, other times I have to restart the computer to get it to eject. Is there anyway to get it to just skip a bad spot instead of getting stuck.
    Sometimes this also happens while watching a DVD. Then the DVD player will freeze, and I may have to restart the computer to eject the disc.
    This seems to me like a dumb thing that apple should have figured out or thought through. Maybe just a button to let you physically skip the scratch or problem. I know it's probably not that simple.
    Thanks. Mike
    macbook 2.0 white, wireless mighty mouse   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   macbook 2.0, 2gb ram, 160gb HD

    After a week the MacStore technician called and said that they had replaced the MATSHITADVD-R UJ-857 with a new on, and that the disc that I had given them was still freezeing up the drive at the same spot. He was able to play and copt the disc successfully on a G-5 and the copy of the disc works on my machine. He recommended that i make copies on another machine of any discs that do not work and thenplay the copies on my machine.
    I was able tp play the original "faulty" disc on a MacBook store demo and it worked fine (with the same optical drive) I asked if they could just take the working disc drive out of the demo since it apparently works, but the tech said that they could no and could notor would not give me a suitable answer or reason as to why not.
    THIS IS MY 3RD FAULTY OPTICAL DRIVE.....2 RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX1111111
    macbook 2GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

  • OneDrive for Business not syncing, stuck at "We're getting things ready to sync..."

    I had a Sharepoint library synced to my desktop for months and two days ago my computer had to suddenly reboot. When my comp restarted I had over 1,000 sync errors on files in my OneDrive for Business folder so instead of going through each individual sync
    error I stopped syncing the folder, removed it from my local library list, and tried to resync the same Sharepoint library.
    Now when I try to resync it gets stuck at "We're getting things ready to sync..."
    Any suggestions?

    Hi  ,
    According to your description, you had encountered a sign in issue for OneDrive.
    You can clear OneDrive cache by following the steps :
    1. Open the Task Manager and end every Office process (MSOSYNC.EXE, GROOVE.EXE and MSOUC.EXE).
    2. Open Windows Explorer, navigate to the following locations and delete everything (files & folders):
    C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\Spw
    C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\15.0\OfficeFileCache
    After you deleted everything,  you should be able to start OneDrive  again.
    Reference:
    http://it.wvu.edu/services/office365/onedrivebusiness/working-with-the-onedrivebusiness-client-for-windows 
    http://www.shayatik.com/2014/03/sync-issues-with-onedrive-skydrive-pro/
    Best Regards,
    Eric
    Eric Tao
    TechNet Community Support

  • IMac purchased at garage sale help. Gets stuck at "Login Window Starting."

    Hi all,
    I recently purchased an iMac at a barn sale, and it turns on and everything, but then gets stuck at "Login Window starting" screen (http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt135/gpd2paul4/IMG_0251.jpg). When Goggling this problem, I see that I am not alone in thee problem, but I am alone in the fact that I don't even know what model it is (I think G3, but not sure), let alone have the original CDs or paperwork. I have tried holding 'shift' right after the startup chime to start up in safe mode, but it still gets stuck at "Login Window starting." I have attached a few pictures of the computer to help you veteran Mac users identify it, which might help you help me. Any help is appreciated. (Step-by-step instructions are best, I am good at using a Mac, but this is getting pretty technical.)
    Thanks!!!
    Photos:
    http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt135/gpd2paul4/IMG_0253.jpg
    http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt135/gpd2paul4/IMG_0254.jpg
    http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt135/gpd2paul4/IMG_0255.jpg

    Try holding down the shift key when powering on. This will skip a few programs from loading.
    Hold down the shift key when booting into Mac OS X. this will check your file structure and do a repair. This will also leave off some files from being used.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455
    "What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X) "
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564?viewlocale=en_US
    Try holding down the option key when powering on. This will bring up the startup manager. Perhaps 9 is installed. Click on icon then click on right arrow.
    This is an iMac g3 slot loader.
    Your Mac won't start up in Mac OS X (Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier).
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1411?viewlocale=en_US
    Which iMac Is It? OK here are some more comparison charts:
    http://lowendmac.com/macdan/05/0202.html
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58669
    You need to figure out the level of your firmware before installing 10.2 or greater. ( The PC name for firmware is BIOS. ) Installing 10.2 with a down level firmware will most likely make your iMac unusable and difficult to fix.
    What is firmware?
    The firmware software receives control when you poweron your machine. It does some hardware testing and some hardware configuration then passes control to your version of Mac OS. It reside on a PROM ( program read only memory ) chip on the logic board.
    Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware.
    Power on your iMac while holding down commandoption+of
    The first output line contains the firmware level. Mine reads:
    Apple PowerMac4,1 4.1.9f1 BootRom built on 09/14/01 at 13.18.04
    Copyright 1994-2001 Apple Computer Inc.
    On my machine, I have 4.1.9f1.
    What firmware do you need?
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
    For a slot loading iMac, this article indicates that you need to be running 9.1 or later version of Mac OS Classic.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
    "The iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9 will only run on iMac computers with lot-loading CD or DVD drives running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a local drive. If you are using Mac OS X you must boot from a local Mac OS 9.1 or later writeable partition (not a CD, or network disk) prior to following the update instructions."
    You can download the Mac OS 9 updates from the Apple site.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1387?viewlocale=en_US
    For tiger, you need 256meg of memory.
    Mac OS X 10.4: System requirements
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1514
    There is no need to partition. You can save hard drive space by doing a custom install. Leave out the print drivers you do not need and the languages you do not need. Doing so you will need about three gigabytes of space.
    You need to get into single use mode.
    This page will tell you how to get into single user mode.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492
    Basically, you hold down the command-s key then powering on your machine. The command key has a little apple symbol on the lower left. It is between the alt/option key and the space bar
    When you are in single user mode, you are in Unix. you can try looking in the log files to see if you can find anything.
    To see the current boot log you use the dmsg command.
    dmsg
    startup information is in /var/log/system.log
    to display the last 500 lines use the tail command.
    tail -n 500 /var/log/system.log | more
    For these commands you will need to gain write access to your startup disk. There are some comments at the end of the startup process that list the needed commands.
    mac $ ls -lF ~/zztemp.txt
    ls: /Users/mac/zztemp.txt: No such file or directory
    mac $ tail -n 500 /var/log/system.log | cat > ~/zztemp.txt
    mac $ nano ~/zztemp.txt
    mac $
    I assume the message contained /Library/Logs/CrashReporter. Do a change directory:
    cd /Library/Logs/CrashReporter
    mac $ pwd
    /Library/Logs/CrashReporter
    mac $ ls
    ???.crash.log VoiceCenter.crash.log
    Exited process.crash.log
    mac $ tail -n 400 \?\?\?.crash.log
    Host Name: ???
    Date/Time: 2008-09-15 14:28:37.577 -0400
    OS Version: 10.4.11 (Build 8S165)
    Report Version: 4
    Robert

  • Text won't stop deleting, delete key appears to get "stuck"

    Sorry if this is in the wrong topic, I have never used the support forums for any of the multitude of problems I have had with my Mac, but this one is severe and odd enough that I couldn't even find anyone else discussing it (although I'm sure someone is, but I tried many search key combinations on Google and only found unrelated things), so I decided to at least get it documented.
    I have had an issue that has happened at least 3 times I can remember (I am fairly certain it has happened more, closer to 7-8, those are just the times I am 100% confident about), although very spaced apart and infrequent, where my delete/backspace key seems to get "stuck". However, at least one time I can verify that I never even hit the key. Whatever text I currently have open immediately starts deleting at lightspeed, and I can do nothing to stop it. None of the other keys on my keyboard work, and though my mouse works, if I click somewhere else, it starts deleting the text there. When I force it to go to another window where there isn't an open text box, I get the general Mac error sound, and it repeats non-stop, and faster than I've ever heard it. I have to do a hard shut-down, although once it led to a kernal panic. When I have stopped whatever is happening before it panics though, when I restart, I don't receive any kind of error message, nor the message about OS X not having been shut down properly.
    Every single time it has happened when I was typing something that couldn't be saved, like a message on a forum, a private message on a site or an IM chat window. Sometimes I lost a half hour's worth of work or more.
    The first time it happened, I honestly thought someone had managed to hack into my computer, but another time I was using a physical modem and Airport was turned off, and when I ripped out the cord, it didn't stop.
    I have a MacBook Pro from 2007, running the most recent version of Tiger. I haven't had the money to upgrade. All security updates are up-to-date, with one exception: I have not upgraded to the most recent version of iTunes.
    Honestly, I currently am having and have been having a bunch of other severe issues with my Mac, so troubleshooting will be quite difficult as it's not at all impossible it's a result of one of my other problems. I also currently am dealing with some health problems that make me unable to try to find the root of the problem, specifically I have a problem with my hand and wrist that makes typing very difficult.
    If someone does recognize this issue and already knows why it might be happening, I'd appreciate the help. I'd also appreciate anyone letting me know how I can prevent it OR what to do when it begins and how to stop it. But I probably will be unable to go through a typical troubleshooting rundown.
    As I said, I just wanted this documented, and I also would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. I have never experienced an issue like this with any of my past computers, including Macs and PCs. I do know however that the key is NOT physically getting stuck - as in getting lodged down and continuing to be pressed. There is at least 1 time I can verify I never even hit the key (I wasn't typing anything at the time). I am fairly sure the problem is entirely unrelated to the actual delete key itself.
    I'll describe the symptoms one more time:
    At a random time, with no discernible warning, text contained in whatever text box I have open begins deleting itself. Several paragraphs disappear in a matter of seconds.
    Pressing escape or any other key on the keyboard does nothing. If I click to another area in the text, it will immediately begin deleting wherever I have placed the cursor. If I go to another window with text that can be edited, it begins deleting there. It does not delete in more than one place simultaneously.
    If I bring another window without any kind of "deletable" text to the front, one of the general Mac error sounds (I'm not sure which one it is) starts happening and repeats without stopping at a rate that could induce a seizure. To stop it all, the only thing I have found can be done is a hard shut-down. Another time it continued to end in a kernal panic. I wish I had the details of the error, but it was so long ago and I have no idea which panic is the right one in the logs.
    I have no way of knowing what programs were running at the time, as obviously that's not something I'm able to pay attention to when it happens, and it has happened so randomly and infrequently it's nothing I've been able to document. Since I have to restart to make it stop, I've then lost that info and I have no time to try to write it down or something beforehand.
    I have not had any similar issues that I know of (for instance, for the "g" key keeps repeating and won't stop typing "g's") and I've never experienced this on any past computer.
    Thanks for anyone who can help!
    If you aren't able to offer advice but have had this issue yourself, PLEASE let me know. I can't seem to find anyone who has experienced this particular problem.

    "Cleaning the keyboard is the first step in troubleshooting sticky/stuck keys."
    Okay, I guess I misunderstood, although I am still confused. You're saying that since the other user did an extensive clean of their keyboard and this did not solve the problem, it is "most likely" a hardware problem, correct? Wouldn't a thorough cleaning without any results show that it's probably not physically related to the keyboard?
    "The "delete" key may be defective or the cover you are using somehow is making the key stick. If you have ruled out the latter and everything else, your only other alternative is to take the MBP to your local Apple Store or AASP. The staff will check out your keyboard (free) to confirm if you are having a hardware problem. If you have AppleCare or ProCare, the repairs will be free. If not.................."
    Well, I had just said in my most recent post that it has now happened with other keys, and in my initial post that it happened at times when my hands were nowhere near the keyboard. It is not a defective delete key and the cover is not making the keys stick - it doesn't adhere to them and does not have any sticky substance on it of any kind. I am an experienced computer user, and I know my computer very well. While I am not a psychic that can always know what is causing a problem, I am able to discern with much accuracy what is NOT causing it.
    Also, I have significant health issues so getting to an Apple store would be a huge challenge for me. And although I have AppleCare any repairs won't be free. Due to some small physical damage my laptop obtained a few years ago, I have been completely refused almost all service that I paid over $300 for, even though the damage is completely superficial. After fighting this, I was told they WOULD repair my computer, however, they would also repair the physical damage despite my insisting NOT to; I had no choice in the matter and the cost would be a minimum of $1,500 (I also would not be informed the exact price until after and my credit card would be charged without my knowledge - I had to give them my credit card number and sign away their right to make any charges and when I requested being contacted before they charged me for the repairs I didn't want done, I was told they did not do that). My family is struggling to pay for my $5 medications.
    When my logic board died (that same issue that affected thousands of computer users), I had to print out Apple's report from their site, which stated that they would replace and repair them free of charge to ANY Mac owner with a computer that met certain qualifications (which mine did). When it happened, completely out of nowhere, I knew immediately that was the problem, yet still had to go through the insulting and idiotic "Is your computer plugged in?" list of things and a customer WITH AppleCare was being refused a service they'd offered to people WITHOUT AppleCare, for a known manufacturing defect that has occurred widely in nearly every brand of computer made.

  • PS CC 2014 gets stuck while going fullscreen (F key) with color plugins(eg. magicpicker/coolorus/kuler) enabled. Please Help.

    Hello,
    I am using Photoshop version 2014.2.2 (20141204.r.310x64) and Extension Manager version 7.3.2.39 running on a Windows 7 64-bit operating system with a Quadro K3000m graphics card and 16gb ram.
    I have a very peculiar problem which I am not able to find the solution for.
    If I have a color plugin enabled and I go fullscreen using the F key, photoshop gets stuck and it will only close when forcefully shut down using the task manager. No amount of waiting restores photoshop back. I first thought it was just one plugin - Magicpicker but then I removed it and installed Coolorus and still the same thing happened. Finally I tried Adobe Color and the same thing happens.
    I am unable to find a solution anywhere. It would be of great help if anybody can shine a light on this issue.
    Warmly.

    To rule out third party plugins, hold Shift while starting Photoshop. If that fails to help, try turning off GPU acceleration in the preferences and restarting Photoshop,
    Benjamin

  • Keys getting stuck (not physically)

    Hi,
    Today I realized that my ctrl key gets stuck. If I try and press ctrl + 1 nothing happens, but if I after that press just 1 it behaves as i pressed ctrl + 1 and it won't stop behaving like that until I press just ctrl to "deactivate" it.
    The only way to solve it temporarily is to restart the computer
    This started after the following changes to the computer was done:
    Used the software updater (not used since buying the computer in may/june or so)
    Installed USB Overdrive
    Installed WoW
    Any ideas on how this could be solved?

    Try resetting the SMC and if that doesn't handle it try resetting the PRAM. Here are instructions if you aren't familiar with these:
    _SMC RESET_
    • Shut down the computer.
    • Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected. Disconnect all peripherals.
    • On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
    • Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
    • Press the power button to turn on the computer.
    _PRAM RESET_
    • Shut down the computer.
    • Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
    • Turn on the computer.
    • Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
    • Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
    • Release the keys.
    Roger

  • Powerbook G4 gets stuck in Login window

    My PB is having trouble starting up, sometimes it starts and most of the time it doesn´t. The only two times I have been able to start it , when I type my username in the Login window it gets stuck, it freezes...
    I don´t have a clue what is going on both with the starting , turning on , and getting freezed in the login window
    any ideas? thanks

    Hello,
    Sounds to me like a possible hard disk drive problem.
    I would suggest booting from the Mac OS X disk by holding down 'C' with the disk in the drive.
    From the file menu, I would select disk utilities and run disk repair on your hard drive.
    Once that's done, reboot and log back into Mac OS X.
    Best of Luck

  • My Mac Book Pro suddenly gets stuck with weird horizontal colored lines across the screen, which will only go once I restart the laptop. What can I do?

    Randomly while scrolling, the screen just goes beserk and gets stuck with random colored lines. And, the only way to get rid of this is to restart my entire computer. My laptop is about 3 years old now. Is this a sign of age or what? What can I do to run my laptop smoothly without turning it off and on every time it goes crazy?

    Try resetting PRAM and SMC.
    Reset PRAM.  http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405   x
    Reset SMC.     http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    Choose the appropriate method.
    "Resetting SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own".

  • Someone else has a problem with volume button getting stuck?

    My volume button gets stuck when I keep pressing it, it's software or hardware issue?

    Restore as new, if that fixes the problem it is something in your settings or backup that was causing the issue.
    If it does not fix the problem, you have a hardware issue.

  • I just updated my iphone to ios7 and I keep getting stuck at the 'Set up your iPhone' screen. I click 'Restore from Itunes Backup', but it only ends up restarting after restoring and fails to get past the 'Set up your iPhone' screen. Any ideas?

    I just updated my iphone to ios7 and I keep getting stuck at the 'Set up your iPhone' screen. I click 'Restore from Itunes Backup', but it only ends up restarting after restoring and fails to get past the 'Set up your iPhone' screen. Any ideas?

    Normally, I would suggest restoring the iPad and uninstall and reinstall iTunes but you have done both of those things - more times than you ever imagined!
    Have you thought about turning auto syncing off?
    Without connecting your iPad to your laptop, start iTunes. Click on Edit. Click on Preferences. Click on Devices. Check the box next to "Prevent your iPod etc. from automatically syncing." Click OK.
    If you do this you can backup the iPad right away before it syncs. You may want to go into all of the iTunes tabs and just make sure that all of the current content on the iPad is selected to sync before you actually do sync.
    This doesn't solve the problem, but it would prevent the automatic sync and erasing content. Hopefully, in the next few days- when iOS 5 is released - you will also be relieved of this weird iPad behavior - since the iOS devices are supposed to become PC free.
    BTW - and this is no excuse for what you are experiencing, but I have found that some of the game apps that I had on my iPad turned out to be quite troublesome and after I removed them, my problems went away. I know that is almost sacrilege with regard to the Angry Birds addiction .... But I'm just saying ...

  • Ever since I updated the operating system, itune doesn't play music on iphone 4. if it plays, it plays only one song and gets stuck.

    Ever since I updated the operating system, itune doesn't play music on iphone 4. If it plays, it plays only one song and gets stuck. I've tried to reconnect to the computer to see whethere there has been missing portion during the upgrade... but not really. does anyone have the same issue?

    What does "gets stuck" mean?
    It repeats?
    It stops playing?
    Have you tried the basics from the manual?  Restart.  Reset.  Restore.

  • When i run keynote in the play mode, some times the computer get stuck, why?, when i run key note in the play mode, some times the computer get stuck, why?

    when i run keynote in the play mode, some times the computer get stuck, why?, when i run key note in the play mode, some times the computer get stuck, why?

    hello,
    I had the same issue. This is what I was told to do.
    iWork has to be removed completely to be effective when re-installing, you must use an application removal tool to do this or it wont remove every Keynote file.
    Appcleaner   will do this and its free.
    The following procedure has helped solve many issues with Keynote:
    1  Close Keynote then use Appcleaner
    2  Empty the Trash
    3  Shut down the Mac, then restart and press the shift key immediately after the startup sound, then release shift when the Apple logo appears
              allow the Mac to boot up to the desktop, it will take longer then usual as the hard drive is being repaired
    4  restart the Mac
    5  Reinstall iWork
    6  Repair permissions:
              Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > First  Aid:   click on your system disc in the drive column
              and select Repair  Disk Permissions
    7  open Keynote and test

Maybe you are looking for