Powerbook stuck in Darwin/BSD Terminal... HELP!

My Powerbook/OS is acting up and I can't get past the Darwin/BSD Terminal. I've tried starting up using various startup key functions. I've checked my drive in Single User Mode and everything checks out OK, but I can't access disk utility by pressing C at startup. For some reason my Powerbook won't boot off of any of the OS Install discs that I have. It also won't run by holding down the shift key into Safe Mode. I did reset the PRAM and PMU and also ran the fsck command line utility, but it still reverts back to the Darwin/BSD Terminal when powered on. Any suggestions on what I should do next to get a functioning OS would be appreciated. I'd prefer not to have to re-format my drive and re-install everything, so if there are any other solutions please let me know. Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanks for the quick response and suggestions Carolyn. I appreciate it. Do you think that running either DiskWarrior or TechToolPro will get me up and running again or does it sound like I might need to completely re-format and re-install everything. Could the fact that the Powerbook is only booting to the Darwin/BSD terminal indicate something other than scrambled partitions/directories or is that the likely problem? I'm hoping the situation isn't too serious. If anyone else has seen this issue before please let me know what route you had to take to get things in order again.

Similar Messages

Stuck in Darwin/BSD - Michael Conniff?

this is a shout-out to michael conniff, if you're out there (well, tomorrow am in london!) i've tried to follow all your post re. this: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4550428 as well as a few others and i'm still stuck. here's what i've done to date:
- performed DU and DW repairs and permissions
- followed the instructions in the above thread with the following errors
loginwindow[69]: [Login.m:1867] Failed to launch /System/Library/CoreServices/Setup Assistant.app/Contents/MacOS/SetUp Assistant (error 5)
kernal[0]: AppleBCM5701Ethernet – en0 link active, 100-Mbit, full duplex, flow control disabled
launchd: Server 0 in bootstrap 1103 uid 0: “/use/sbin/lookup”[65]: exited abnormally: Hangup
SystemStarter[44]: “/Library/StartupItems/Tablet” failed security check: permissions
crashdump[125]: ifcstart crashed
VersionCueCS2Daemon[155]: warning: VersionCueCS2Daemon not started by mach_init process (parent pid: 1)
config[35]: target=enable-network: disabled
sudo: root : TIY=unknown ; PWD=/ ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/bin/kill -9 173
SystemStarter[44]: IFC (122) did not complete successfully
SystemStarter[44]: The following StartupItems failed to properly start:
SystemStarter[44]: /System/Library/StartupItems/IFCStart
SystemStarter[44]: - execution of Startup Script failed
if you have a moment, could you let me know if you see anything wacky in those lines or if i should keep looking. in an aside, i'm also trying to attach my powerbook to the sick powermac (re. above) in target mode, to backup in case of the worst, without success. (i can see DW so i know i'm in the target zone, it's just not recognizing the HD). let me know if you have any tricks up your sleeve about that?! thank you, thank you! in advance. cw
p.s. a heck of a tennis game you fine people put on today!

I'm trying to fix my husband's ibook. It's also doing the Darwin/BSD thing. I did everything posted here:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1553062
And I ended up with the result noted by Leah(?)--I get a repeating blue screen. Looks/acts like it's booting. I get the Apple, status bar, then blue screen, changes shades, but keeps repeating about 3 separate shades of blue with a quick status circle in between.
When I go into Darwin and do one of the checks Michael suggested, it tells me repeatedly that Setup Assistant crashed. I finally reached a point where I was willing to reinstall. My husband doesn't store anything on his system--just uses it for Internet and e-mail, so no great loss could occur even in a worst case. He may need to reinstall some e-mail addresses, favorites, etc., but nothing major.
BUT, I can't get the thing to boot from a the install disk 1! The computer won't recognize the disk. I tried holding down C. No go. I tried option--and here's the weird thing. The hard drive for the system shows up, but NOT the CD! I tried CMD-OPT-SHIFT-DELETE, and I got the folder/flashing question mark alternating symbols. Basically, the system recognizes the hard drive, but won't boot from it. And although I hear the CD clicking and whirring in the drive, it won't read the disk as a recognizable drive...?
We'll likely bring it in tomorrow, because I'm out of ideas. I was actually going to try to unplug the HD and see if the CD would then read (based on a MacZone article I came across), but when I saw the schematic online for mucking with an ibook, that was way out of my league as someone who has only monkey-ed with desktops before.
Anyway--I don't mind reformatting. That would be totally fine. But is there any way I can achieve that at this point? Or is it off to the shop in the a.m.?
Thanks!

Stuck in Darwin/BSD (macintosh.local.) (console)

Somehow, in attempting to reset my main password (which I was able to do by using the start-up disc, finally), I have gotten myself stuck in the Darwin console.
Here is the start-up procedure.
1. I turn on the machine
2. It boots from the hard drive
3. I get the chime and think everything is going on fine
4. I get the prompt to select a user id and enter the password
5. I choose the one ID and enter the password
6. I am taken, not to the GUI, but to the Darwin/BSD console login.
I can't move forward, log in, nor exit.
Any help?

*You need to verify that your file system structure is ok.*
Startup problems:
bdaqua advises running disk utility from install disk:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2256611&tstart=0
*Try loading fewer programs*
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
*Are you using filevault?*
The filevault image could have been corrupted, someone could have changed the password to the filevault id while not following the correct procedure, filevault image is not in the correct place, or the permissions on the file for filevault image could have changed.
*You could try adding a new user*
Get the Mac to set up an additional administrative account. You can then change the password on your old account.
Start with your computer power off. Hold down command-s. Power on your computer.
Type in the following:
The first two commands will depend on your release of Mac OS X. Look at what is typed out in the console to determine the exact format.
# Type the follow two instructions to access the startup disk in read/write. Press return after each command.
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /var/db
pwd
#List all files. The l is a lower case L.
ls -a
#The move command acts as a rename command in this format.
mv -i .applesetupdone .applesetupdone.old
reboot
Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
Limnos adds detailed explainations:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8441597#8441597
The above the idea came from a post by JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_rootpassword.html
You will need to scroll down to see this post. Search for applesetupdone
Robert

From being stuck in Darwin/BSD to a blue screen loop

Hi,
I guess I must face the idea that my BabyMac might be dead. But, I'm going to keep trying until I know for sure.
I was changing permissions this pm, and Restarted the Finder... then restarted. When the computer booted up, it took me only to the Darwin/BSD (console) screen. My disc drive doesn't seem to be working, or maybe my disc, so that's moot.
I followed the directions given by Michael Conniff on "Restoring the NetInfo database after an Authorisation failure,". I may have messed up on where it says that "...you need to list the uids against the shortnames given in the final column" because I don't understand what is meant by "list." List them where? How? BUT, nevertheless, I then continued with "reboot" as stated.
Instead of starting up in the Setup Assistant mode, the computer seems stuck in a loop between a blue screen with the curser (about 2 sec), a blank blue screen (flash), then a blue screen with the little rotating grey circle (about 2 seconds) then another blue flash, then everything all over again.
That is where I'm at now. Any suggestions on how to get my BabyMac back?

Hi,
I guess I must face the idea that my BabyMac might be dead. But, I'm going to keep trying until I know for sure.
I was changing permissions this pm, and Restarted the Finder... then restarted. When the computer booted up, it took me only to the Darwin/BSD (console) screen. My disc drive doesn't seem to be working, or maybe my disc, so that's moot.
I followed the directions given by Michael Conniff on "Restoring the NetInfo database after an Authorisation failure,". I may have messed up on where it says that "...you need to list the uids against the shortnames given in the final column" because I don't understand what is meant by "list." List them where? How? BUT, nevertheless, I then continued with "reboot" as stated.
Instead of starting up in the Setup Assistant mode, the computer seems stuck in a loop between a blue screen with the curser (about 2 sec), a blank blue screen (flash), then a blue screen with the little rotating grey circle (about 2 seconds) then another blue flash, then everything all over again.
That is where I'm at now. Any suggestions on how to get my BabyMac back?

Stuck in darwin/bsd users-computer,local (console)

*when starting up it loads to darwin. how do i get out????*
*it appears disc 1 not mounted udf*
*host name changed local host to users-computer*
*logging disabled login window 181 halting*
*it had been working just fine, but i was trying to mount something i guess*
*this is a used computer and I do not have any discs.*
*can anyone please help me*

pamella:
Your surest bet is to make sure that you have an up-to-date backup of your stuff and then do an Archive and Install. If you don't have a backup and since you can't log in, you can use Firewire Target Disk Mode with the assistance of a second firewire Mac to see if you can rescue your data.
cornelius

Stuck at Darwin Screen HELP! iBook G4

The other day I was simultaneously burning a DVD and downloading a large file. The DVD burn was taking slower than usual but I thought nothing of it. However, I noticed that partway through the burn I was unable to use any of my applications (Firefox, iTunes, etc...). The burn completed and the DVD turned out fine, but I was still unable to use said applications. So I forced the iBook G4 to turn off by holding the power button down for 10 seconds.
Here's where the problem started:
When I turned it back on I was stuck at the Darwin screen. I'm not really a computer guy and this was the first time I'd ever seen the screen. The screen read the following:
"Darwin/BSD (michael-coughlins-ibook-g4.loca) (console)"
I can't do anything from here. I'm able to type in my user name and password, which changes thing a bit and says:
"Last login: Mon May 8 17:53:22 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
michael-coughlins-ibookg$:~ michaelcoughlin$"
But nothing after that.
I've tried doing Disc Utility (inserted the disc and started the computer up while holding "C") with the installation disc and it said it fixed a "minor problem." But, I'm still stuck at the Darwin screen.
Any idea's on how to fix this?
I'm open to just reloading everything, but I'd desperately like to get all my iTunes files and a few old home video's of my family's recently deceased dog. When I'm using disc utility I was able to see my old files sometimes. It tells me that I've got 8 GB free of the original 60 GB (which should be correct).
If I can't fix it, is there a way to grab those files and then reload everything?
Many thanks in advance (especially to macjack who's been helping me so far)

You cannot use a Windows PC and try to back-up a Mac in FireWire Target Disk Mode. Windows PCs can't read Mac-formatted hard drives. (At least, not without some third party software.)
If you run an "Archive & Install", there is an option to select to preserve users and also network settings. As long as you enable that option your files & preferences should be just fine. This does not affect any software you may have installed. This will, of course, return your iBook to whichever version of Mac OS X is on your install disk. You may need to run the software update afterwards so you're up-to-date.
-Doug

Powerbook won't boot, Darwin/BSD message on startup

Hi all, I've tried these discussions before and am hoping you'll pull through again. I love these forums! I'm writing this on a back-up computer. Why I'm here...
This morning I backed up my computer as part of my weekly ritual. I'm using 10.2.8. I did a command-i (get info) and changed the permissions so only I could log in and make changes. I backed up the computer, and cleaned up the drive a little bit, archiving old files...didn't think I touched any system files but I must have. So I restarted, and now I get a screen that says "Darwin/BSD" and asks for a login. I type it in successfully, along with the password, and it brings me to console mode, saying "welcome to darwin." Only, when I try to boot from another drive with a working os 9, it still goes to Darwin/BSD mode. When I try to do the same by re-inserting the OS X software disk, to reinstall, it still goes to Darwin/BSD mode. Help! I also tried resetting the PRAM, and when I did that, I got a long tone, followed by the green light blinking rapidly for ten seconds, followed by a restart, with the startup sound being audible. I've been scouring these forums for solutions, but so far I'm out of luck. Grateful this forum is here. Please Help! If you have any ideas short of me throwing the computer at the wall, please let me know. What can I do?
G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.2.x)
G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.3.9)
G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.2.x)
G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.3.9)

David:
Had the same problem a while ago. This link gives an account of how I dealt with it.
: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1047615&#1047615
Good luck.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
cornelius
PB G3 Pismo400, 100 GB 5400 Toshiba internal, 1 GB RAM Mac OS X (10.3.9) Beige G3 OS 8.6

!!!!!HELP!!!! - Stuck In Darwin - Tried A Bunch Of Stuff - All To No Avail

Ok, so I am really in a bad place right now and am hoping that someone out there who knows more about macs than I (I have only been using them for a bit over a year) can give me a hand. I tried to fix the problem on my own looking at others posts, and I have been unsuccessful. So I in an attempt to figure this out, and maybe give you more information Iam going to give you a lead up of the last few days, then the processes I performed today, and maybe someone out here can help save me As I am in a pickle of a pickle! Thanks tons!
Recent Activity Prior To Crash:
I updated quicktime
QT 7.4 has a bug that makes it so after effects can't render (and that is what I use all the time for my work)
I was told to revert I needed to instal pascifist and then apply it to QT 7.3
Nothing went to honky, however, I never did check up on it (got distracted by a presentation in Power Point)
Power Point crashed so I decided to restart the machine
The Crash:
I restarted my machine and The Darwin/BSD screen came up
it said:
Darwin/BSD (maruissas-power-mac-g4.local) (console)
login:
I loged in and it then asked me for command prompt.
What I have done since:
Disc Utility:
upon reading numerous threads, first thing I attempted to do was run disk utility - however, it keeps telling me that it can't fix one of the errors, it says something about the keys in red (sorry i forgot to write it down)
I repaired all the permissions
Through Single-User
1) I first typed in fsck -fy
It repaired once and got the *** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ***
and then upon repeat it told me that **The volume Powermac G4 HD appears to be ok.
2) I used: tail -40 /var/log/system.log | more
I got this back:
loginwindow 64: AuthoruzationRef doesn't have a name (<LoginAuthRefMgr: 0x335730>).\n
launchd:onoption repeating too quickly on port consolem sleeping
3)I then did this
mount -uw /
cd /var/db/netinfo
mv -f local.nidb/ local.nidb.bad
rm -f /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
ls -ln /Users
when it rebooted it brought me back to the Darwin menu
Needless to say I am confused. I have a couple projects in the next few days, and am in a jam. Hopefully someone out there is infinately smarter than I, a newly sad mac user. Thanks bunches

The error you got was probably "keys out of order"(corruption of directory files on your hard drive). Unfortunately, Disk Utility cannot fix this problem. The good news is thet DiskWarrior can probably fix your problem. DiskWarrior by Alsoft
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html You need to run DiskWarrior from its CD to fix the problem.
I also believe you are getting a kernal panic, which is usually caused by a hardware problem. When trying to troubleshoot problems, disconnect all external devices except your monitor, kbd & mouse. Do you experience the same problems?
May be a solution on one of these links.
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ
Mac OS X Kernel Panic FAQ
Resolving Kernel Panics
12-Step Program to Isolate Freezes and/or Kernel Panics
 Cheers, Tom

PLEASE HELP! Darwin/bsd is gone? But new problem!

Okay, here is the story.
I came home after a trip and I was presented with the Darwin/BSD problem. Well I did what the other threads said and checked my log. My log said things like "authorization failed" but no "exiting to consol" There were PAGES AND PAGES AND PAGES so I didn't check it all. I figured i'd take it into an apple store or something... So I waited about a week. Then I turend it on again and BOOM. I was presented with "Choose your language" as if my Apple was completely restarted. Well I got really excited and told it english, and watched the welcome video.
Then I picked my country...
And then..
It said "Do you already own a mac?"
And I had three choices
"-Transfer my information from another mac
-Transfer my information from another partition on this mac
-Do not transfer my information"
Well see this is where another problem starts. See.. I don't KNOW if I "partitioned" my hard drive.. I sort of doubt it, unless its like automatic.. Well I surely didn't want to "NOT transfer" my information, so I clicked the partition one, and it went to a screen where it began searching. WEll it searched...
and it searched...
and it searched...
For days, hahah.
I finally gave up and FORCE turned it off because the GO BACK button would not work...
This same thing happened twice, and at this very moment I'm at the same screen asking me how I want to transfer my information.
And let me tell you this- I CAN NOT lose this info on my computer. It is some of my most valuble documents... so PLEASE, PLEASE someone help me. Do I say "Do not transfer" amd it will already be on there? Or do I take it to the apple store and get them to retreive my harddrive information somehow in single user mode or something.
Gosh, please helpp
IMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7) no isight
IMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Choose not to transfer your information, and then create a new account with the original short name. If you previously created multiple accounts on the system, recreate them all in the same order they were initially created. None of your data will be erased.
(15252)

Login takes me to Darwin/BSD - HELP!

Upon booting and logining in, a black screen appears with this:
Darwin/BSD (Geneva-Raes-Computer.local) (console)
Login:
I am unable to login. When I try to input any information it prompts 'Could not determine audit condition'
How can I get to the Desktop?

If you were installing system updates and the machine crashed, then it means that only a partila update occurred, and some files have been changed and others haven't, making the machine confused.
Your best option at this point is to back up all your files, boot from the install CD, erase the drive and install the OS from scratch...fresh. Then do all the updates then install your applications and bring back your files.

HELP!! Stuck in Darwin!

Darwin/BSD (chelle-bs-computer.local) (console)
Login: Aug 8 13:04:41 chelle-bs-computer TabletDriver[180]: FAILED to Create Messaging Server for CPL\n
Aug 8 13:04:41 chelle-bs-computer TabletDriver[180]: Error [0xffff] recieved starting driver: setting up timeout callback
Aug 8 13:04:41 chelle-bs-computer TabletDriver[180]: Tearing down timeout callback
Michelle
Password:
Last login: Mon Aug 8 12:37:13 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
chelle-bs-computer:~ Michelle$
I want to reinstall the software but I can't get past this.
What am I supposed to do with this?

Did you get those messages when you powered on your machine? Was the DVD in the machine? Did you hold down any keys when booting?
Place dvd in drive. Power off your machine. Try holding down the option key then power on. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your DVD icon. Click on right arrow key.
If you get the message after being the install. You need to reformat you harddrive. You could have a corrupt files system.
Format a disk using the installation DVD
To format the startup drive, you will need to run disk utility from your installation DVD.
This article will tell you how to get to disk utility. Once in a disk utility, you can go and format the disk.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
To format your startup drive, you will need to run disk utility from your startup DVD.
Mac OS X 10.4: About the utilities available on the Mac OS X 10.4 Install DVD
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2055
How to run disk utility from your startup DVD.
Insert your startup DVD into your reader. Power down your machine. Hold down to the c key. Power on your machine. This will bootup your startup DVD. ( Alternatively, you may hold down the control key, this brings up the startup manager. Click on the desired volume. Click on the right arrow. )
This will bring you to a panel asking you for your language. Pick your language.
You you come to the Install Mac OS panel. Do not install.
Click on Utilities menu item. This will give you a pulldown list of utilities.
Click on the disk utility.
Start up disk utility.
On the left pane view, you will see a list of all your disks. Click on the external disk.
Click on the partition tab.
You will now see how your external disk is currently set up. Fill in the information as appropriate. You should pick Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
More details on formatting.
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html

Stubborn Darwin/BSD boot, usual fixes not working

I installed 10.3.2 to a Powerbook G3 Pismo. While downloading the 10.3.9 update, it froze hard at 73% done, could not access Finder nor force-quit, and when i restarted (via keyboard restart command), it booted in to Darwin/BSD. I've tried the fixes in this topic
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1047613&ft=y&#1047613
but even with a Safe Boot it goes to Darwin, and it returned to Darwin after a install-disk startup/run of Disk Utility showed HD to be ok.
It dismayed me to see the hard drive described as "10.3.9" in the Install disk's Start Up Disk window... the update hadn't finished downloading. Could this be the problem? Am i stuck with erasing and reinstalling the disk? That'll mean reinstalling 9.2 first, too, since i want a bootable copy of it on the drive... arg

Hi LisaJoy,
Welcome to Apple Discussions
This has happened to me before, my brother wanted to use my computer so he restarted it. Anyways, you will need to do a clean install because you have part of both systems. Just for clarification, you were installing the system update. Downloading is putting it on your computer, installing is incorporating it. This causes a conflict with the startup. I suggest backing up you hard drive using your install disc (Disk Utility) and then doing a clean install. I would also recommend bring it to your local Apple Store. This happened to my iBook G3 and I brought it there because I didn't have a external drive big enough. They can also install the system software again.
I hope that helps,
Jon
PS You can also do an Archive and Install, but I am not completely positive.

Darwin/bsd login

hey, i have a powerbook running OSX - a little while ago i was online and it froze up completely. i turned it off and turned it on again and now it refues to load OSX, instead it just goes to console mode.
it comes up with a message saying:
darwin/bsd (and the name of my computer)
it then asks me to login, however no combination of login name or password helps.
i've looked around online for solutions but have yet to find any, i would greatly appreciate some help.
thankyou

Some solutions are proposed in this discussion:
Apple - Support - Discussions - Booting to Darwin-BSD Screen

Darwin/BSD problem: won't go back into OS X

I've seen a number of people have had this problem, but there aren't nearly as many solutions.
This is how it happened: I went to my computer, my firefox immediately crashed and then would not open, so I restarted and got a prompt screen saying "Darwin/BSD (michaels-powerbook-g4-15.local) (console).
This is the first I've ever heard of any sort of a command prompt on a Mac, until I googled the problem.
I am able to log in, I repaired the disk using some commands I read on a previous post on here (which I can't find, but I remember it was answered by a Michael C.), yet that did not work once I rebooted.
Basically, I'm wondering if there's a way to fix this without reinstalling OS X. I'm sure my CD is around the house somewhere but I wouldn't have a clue of where to start looking.
I'd greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.

Dear Hatter:
You are a good and very knowlegeable person. All of your suggestions will undoubtedly fix the problem. I will have to bring my MacPro into my university so that they can help me to use your ideas. Meanwhile, since it appears that the helper earns points by helping the 'helpee'. I will give you 5 points (this helped me) right now, and another month you will get ten points after I bring the computer in.
Thanks again- robertglaser, Prof.

Darwin/BSD screen. Where is my GUI?

My Powermac recently stopped shutting down automatically at night. When I chose Restart last night I got the Darwin/BSD screen and prompt for my login and password which it accepts but I can't get out of this mode. I type exit and it appears to want to go to the GUI, blue screen with progress wheel, but returns to a black screen with:
Darwin/BSD (my network address here) (console)
login:
Please help! I have much work to do this weekend and can't contact one of my clients. All contact info is on the HD. My bad.

Try this KB article. I know it says 10.3.9., but I used it to get my Powerbook going again last night (I had the prohibitory sign after trying to get into single user mode).
Just resetting the PRAM worked to get it going again.
Jim
1.8 SP G5/iMac G4 FP/PB G3 Pismo Mac OS X (10.4.8) XLR8 G4 Upgrade for Pismo

Powerbook stuck in Darwin/BSD Terminal... HELP!

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