Macbook boots up, let's me log in, but then I can't click anything or it restarts

This problem just started up 2 days ago, my computer died one night and the next morning when I booted it up, it wasn't working. It will start up fine and bring me to the log in screen, I can log in fine. My desktop loads up and all the files I have on my desktops are all still there, the dock loads up with all my apps (except for itunes , the icon is missing completely and there's just a blank space, when I hover over it it says iTunes). The menu bar usually shows up fine but sometimes its blank and sometimes it doesn't show up at all. Now here's the real problem: whenever I try to open an application, or even open up one of the files on my desktop, the files and dock all disappear for a second and then it all shows back up with an error message : finder quit unexpectedly. Sometimes this message doesn't even show up and everything loads back up, but the blue dot that indicates that an application is running is not next to Finder. so maybe this is a problem with finder? This is kind of an old computer and i use it all the time so I wouldn't be surprised if its finally just dying... The operating system is mountain lion but I'm not sure what number.. I can't look because I can't click on anything without it doing the restarting thing.

Restart the computer and immediately hold down the option key. When the Mac boots there will be two hard drive icons on the screen. Select Recovery and hit return.
The next screen will show this:
Select Disk Utility and continue.
In DU do the following:
In the list at the left, select the hard drive. (Be sure to select the name that’s indented to the right in the list, not the disk name at the far left.)
Click First Aid.
If Disk Utility tells you the disk is about to fail, back it up and replace it. You can’t repair it.
Click Repair Disk.
When that is done, quit DU and restart the computer in the usual way.

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I do not remember my security questions and the recovery email hasnt been logged onto in years. i can't buy anything for my mac for college without answering the security questions

I do not remember my security questions and the recovery email hasnt been logged onto in years. i can't buy anything for my mac for college without answering the security questions which i cant recover

you can setup a rescue email. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5312
all else failing you can reestablish a new account. as a last resort
https://iforgot.apple.com/appleid?language=US-EN&returnURL=https://appleid.apple .com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa&app_id=93&app_type=ext

TS1367 Is there are a way to use my imac as a display for my macbook pro? I have a thunderbolt cable but it doesnt seem to do anything

Is there are a way to use my imac as a display for my macbook pro? I have a thunderbolt cable but it doesnt seem to do anything

Hello eassic,
Thanks for the question, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like Target Display Mode may be what you are looking for:
Target Display Mode lets you use a Mac as the external display for another “primary” Mac. In some cases, you can also play the sound from your primary Mac on the speakers of the external Mac. For example, a MacBook Pro could use a 27-inch iMac as the display and play its audio on the iMac as well.
OS X Mountain Lion: Use another Mac as a display
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11302
Use an iMac with Thunderbolt as a display
If you have an iMac with Thunderbolt, any other Mac with Thunderbolt can use it as a display. The iMac will play both the video and audio from the other Mac.
1. Connect the Thunderbolt cable to the Thunderbolt ports on each computer.
2. Make sure both Mac computers are turned on and awake.
3. Press Command (⌘)-F2 on the keyboard of the external display Mac.
4. If you want the external display Mac to play audio as well as video from the primary Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, and then click Output. Select the external display Mac from the list of devices.
Thanks,
Matt M.

TS1398 my kids disabled my ipad and I had to wait 15mins to log in, from then on I have had difficulty connecting to wifi, but can, but then I can't connect to server. I have reset network settings etc. It also did the same thing to my iphone at same ti

My iPad got disabled and once I waited the 15 minutes I logged in, but from then on I could not connect to server dispite having 2-3 bars of wifi signal. The same thing happened to my iphone5 at the same time although this had not been touched by my 3yr olds. My wifi is very intermittent and often it goes from 3g to GPRS on my iphone. I have reset network settings, turned devices off by home button and off button, removed sim card in phone, etc. I'm stuck.

Hi 30daysnow,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like you're seeing wireless connectivity issues on your iPad and iPhone.
Since you mention having unexpected behavior on both Wi-Fi and 3g (cellular) connections, see these articles for more helpful troubleshooting tips:
iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections - Apple Support
Get help with the cellular data connection on your iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular Model) - Apple Support
The steps in these articles can help resolve the symptoms you're seeing.
Best Regards,
Jeremy

Can't unlock my MacBook Pro. Recently, I've changed my password, now I can't access anything. Please help!!!

I Have a MacBook Pro 13, which I bought in 2010. I'm not really sure which version of operating system I do have, because I haven't updated it for a long time. I've changed my password recently and now I can't unlock it. It just jiggles and says that password is wrong. Then it asks the security question, but even doesn't work. I'm pretty sure that I'm typing everything correct, but it's not working. I took it to the service store, they couldn't do anything. Please help me to unlock it.

A login password for the computer is not the password used for your Apple ID. To change a forgotten or lost password:
Forgot Your Account Password
For Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
    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.
     When the menubar appears select Terminal from the Utilities menu.
     Enter resetpassword at the prompt and press RETURN. Follow
     instructions in the dialog window that will appear.
     Or see:
       Reset a Mac OS X 10.7 Lion Password
       OS X Mountain Lion- Reset a login password,
       OS X Mavericks- Solve password problems,
       OS X Lion- Apple ID can be used to reset your user account password.
For Snow Leopard and earlier with installer DVD
     Mac OS X 10.6- If you forget your administrator password,
     OS X- Changing or resetting an account password (Snow Leopard and earlier).
For Snow Leopard and earlier without installer DVD
    How to reset your Mac OS X password without an installer disc | MacYourself
    Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD — Tech News and Analysis
    How To Create A New Administrator Account - Hack Mac

Hi everybody, my Macbook air mid 2012 MD 231 suddenly shut down then i can not turn it on. I heard a sound like a fuse is blown or something like that. Did any system break or burnt? I did not charge at that moment. Plz help

my Macbook air mid 2012 suddenly turn off after a strange sound (like the sound òf a fuse has blown or something like that) and I also feel a burnt smell too while i am watching a film on the internet and did not charge the laptop at this moment. The sound was from the left of it, and now just a dark screen , even I tried charging it (still has green light at the charge tool). I bought it on 13st April 2013, not often use.
I love apple and i am so sad that a new product which i seldom use could be break so easily and outstanding. It's so late in my country now but i am too disappoint about the trouble so i am writing with hope of supporting from Apple and the community.
Please help , thank bro

You will have to take it to an Apple Store for repair.

My macbook pro keeps flashing green lines across the screen then freezing, can anyone help?

Back in December my macbook started doing this thing quite regularly where it would flash black or green lines all across the screen, for maybe half a second, then the screen would freeze, so I would power it down manually then back on again. I took it into a store and paid a lot of money for them to "fix" it, but when I got it back it was still doing it. I just recently took it in to a different store and the guy said he couldn't reproduce the problem, but replaced the RAM and gave it back to me. Within a day of having it back the same thing happened, twice. At this point I'm not sure what to do, the money I spent on "fixing" it could almost have bought me a new one. The most recent time I shut it off, when it was turning back on it stopped on the grey screen with the apple and started making a continuous beeping sound, which I took a video of. Does anybody know why any of this is happening??

Hi Were you using the apple store for the repairs you had done? As to the point of taking in to a store to have it repaired and getting it back with the same problem. It should have been taken back to the same store as they have to stand behind what they do. You do not say what they repaired. The store replacing ram without knowing what the problem is ,is questionable. If you are going to change ram for the original apple installed ram, you need to make sure it is compatible with your MBP. One of the best sources for this is Macsales.com. As to the Beeping sounds here is a link on it. You do not say if this is one continuing beep or more than one repeating itself.http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202768

Serious imac problem. Won't boot into safe mode, can't click anything when os loads up.

I'm trying to recover my files through the boot camp option on the windows side. Is there anyway to run something like disk warrior or windows alternative to repair the partition from the windows side. I don't think I'm going to be able to get all the files off my computer cause the hard drive is messed up and not working well. But I'm not completely dead. Safe mode won't work and I tried the fsck from single user which didn't work either. Any help would be great, please save my wounded mac!

I didnt change anything. Literally nothing. I am typically pretty good with computers but this is kinda driving me crazy. I didnt mess with anything in disk utility or partition sizes. I installed boot camp years ago so i dont really understand why i was moved to this forum. I use it for music production and web surfing. (windows for a little gaming) but havnt gamed or installed anyting in.. a month or longer.
I am thinking the hdd is having a problem. I never did anything with permissions which i heard could get messed up. But i cant do anything on the Mac side now just a spinning ball.

My new iPod touch won't let me view my pictures. It lets me open the app but then crashes when I try to open an album. I've tried resetting and turning it off for a while but nothing has worked. What can I do?

My new 4th generation iPod touch won't let me view my pictures.. It lets me get into the app but when I try to look at an album it crashes. I've tried resetting and turning it off for a while and nothing has worked. What do I do?

- Try restoring the iPod from backup
- Next restore to factory defaults/new iPod.

I just replace my modume and am trying to print on my HP office jet pro printer which I share with a PC computer. It worked before but I can not get it to print. My MacBook says it is connected to the printer,but then it says it is idle. What should I do?

We just had our modume replace and I am now trying to print on my HP Office Jet Pro

Hello mariamac80,
It sounds like you cannot print from your network printer on your MacBook. Printer issues can be a but tough to nail down, but I would recommend trying the troubleshooting in this article named:
Troubleshooting printer issues in OS X
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3147
Follow these steps until the issue is addressed:
Make sure that the printer is powered on, has ink / toner, and that there are no alerts on the printer’s control panel. Note: If you cannot clear an alert on the printer's control panel, stop here and check the printer's documentation or contact the manufacturer for support.
Ensure the printer is properly connected to a USB port on the Mac or AirPort base station / Time Capsule. If the printer is a network-capable printer, make sure that it is properly connected to your home network.
Use Software Update to find and install the latest available updates. If an update is installed, see if the issue persists.
Open the Print & Scan pane or Print & Fax (Snow Leopard) pane in System Preferences.
Delete the affected printer, then add the printer again.
If the issue persists, try these additional steps:
Reset the printing system, then add the printer again.
If the issue still persists, reset the printing system again. Download and install your printer's drivers. Then, add the printer again.
Contact the printer vendor or visit their website for further assistance.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Sterling

I can load the main AOL page and log in, but then everything freezes when I try to access my mail on AOL. Seems like it might be assoiciated with Java Updater.

I did a Java update last night and that's when the problem started

Hello,
'''Try Firefox Safe Mode''' to see if the problem goes away. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode, which disables most add-ons.
''(If you're not using it, switch to the Default theme.)''
* On Windows you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the '''Shift''' key when you open the Firefox desktop or Start menu shortcut.
* On Mac you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by holding the '''option''' key while starting Firefox.
* On Linux you can open Firefox 4.0+ in Safe Mode by quitting Firefox and then going to your Terminal and running: firefox -safe-mode (you may need to specify the Firefox installation path e.g. /usr/lib/firefox)
* Or open the Help menu and click on the '''Restart with Add-ons Disabled...''' menu item while Firefox is running.
[[Image:FirefoxSafeMode|width=520]]
''Once you get the pop-up, just select "'Start in Safe Mode"''
[[Image:Safe Mode Fx 15 - Win]]
'''''If the issue is not present in Firefox Safe Mode''''', your problem is probably caused by an extension, and you need to figure out which one. Please follow the [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] article for that.
''To exit the Firefox Safe Mode, just close Firefox and wait a few seconds before opening Firefox for normal use again.''
''When you figure out what's causing your issues, please let us know. It might help other users who have the same problem.''
Thank you.

Contact shows as online when I log in but then goe...

Recently I've noticed that one of my contacts appears as being online when I log into skype but almost immediately goes to Away. Generally they use Skype on their phone. I have asked them about this and they have said that once they have spoken to me (usually late at night for them) they put their phone down and go to sleep. However, when I log back into Skype later the green dot appears next to their name, almost immediately goes to yellow and then if I look at their Last Seen Online status it is either very recent or the exact moment I log back in.
Can anyone explain what is going on?

Clear the cache and the cookies from sites that cause problems.
"Clear the Cache":
* Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Offline Storage (Cache): "Clear Now"
"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:
* Tools > Options > Privacy > Cookies: "Show Cookies"
If clearing the cookies doesn't help then it is possible that the file cookies.sqlite that stores the cookies is corrupted.
Rename (or delete) cookies.sqlite (cookies.sqlite.old) and delete cookies.sqlite-journal and cookies.txt, if they exist, in the Firefox Profile Folder in case the file cookies.sqlite got corrupted.
* http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox

TS1367 my mac pro won't boot up, it keeps showing the circle but then shuts off. I've disconnected everything and it keeps doing the same thing.

I have a mac pro desktop and it won't boot up, it keeps freezing at the circle and then appears to be loading and then it shuts off. I've turned it off and disconnected everything and reconnect and it does the same thing.

I wasn't aware PRAM batteries did any charging
Apple has used rechargeable batteries for volatile storage for some time.
and just 'held' information in NVRAM and PRAM when needed and there was no power coming in
I can't see data held in NVRAM/PRAM doing something like keeping time without some power. One can't assume a permanent Internet connection to update it when the system is turned on now can we?
I assume it is on a 1000VA UPS that has good battery and fully charged too, and didn't discharge during the vacation
If the UPS was turned off it's as good as being totally unplugged so it may well have still been at 100% upon return. There's no power delivery when the UPS is off remember.

I clicked on the live broadcast link for BBC radio4. Despite exiting the page, restarting my macbook, and shutting down and reopening thje broadcast continues. I can't access anything to turn it off. Please help!

I clicked on the live broadcast link for BBC radio 4. Despite exiting the webpage, restarting the computer and shutting down and reopening, the braodcast continues. I cannot find a way to shut it off. I have tried reopening the BBC website, clicking on the live braodcast link and then closing it. I get 2 almost similtanteous broadcasts and when I click the close button only one switches off. Please help!

Most unusual.
Try a safe boot:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564
Open Activity Monitor and see if you can identify any application that may be the culprit. If so, click on it and then the "Quit Process' icon on the menu bar.
Ciao.

I have a mac book and it is kind of old. When I face time off the macbook it rings and actually calls the device but then while connecting it hangs up. And does it does this repeatedly. Any help would be great.

how to get my face time calls to go through.

Hi GAjenifuja,
It appears you are experiencing an issue with FaceTime calls. That does sound troublesome. The following article provides troubleshooting steps which may help you find a solution:
FaceTime for Mac: Troubleshooting FaceTime - Apple Support
Thank you for contributing to Apple Support Communities.
Take care,
Bobby_D

Macbook boots up, let's me log in, but then I can't click anything or it restarts

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