PowerMac G4 MDD booting into DARWIN/BSD screen.

Hi,
I've been sitting here for the past three days trying to figure out how to fix this problem. My computer keeps booting into the darwin/bsd screen and will not boot into the operating system. Apparently the kernel has a problem. I have tried everything including the "/sbin/fsck -yf" thing. None of it seems to work at all. It just brings me back to this "darwin/bsd screen.
I just found my installation dvd and put it in. Then I held the OPTION+D keys which brought me to the boot drive screen. This screen shows the Main HD symbol and the Mac OS X INSTALL CD icons. But, I am unable to switch over to the Install disc icon to run it. My mouse just doesn't respond at all on this screen, but somehow the keyboard does.
Can someone tell me whats going on???

Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642
Tried resetting the PMU?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449
Might try applesetupdone...
This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM
"OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -fy Enter
Repeat until no errors.
/sbin/mount -uaw Enter
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone Enter
1. The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
2. Robert: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old
reboot Enter
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!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda"

Similar Messages

Blue screen - after booting into Darwin/BSD

Hi,
after I had the problem of my iMac G5 only booting into Darwin/BSD (which I posted here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1093517&tstart=0), I followed the instructions for recreating the user accounts, as described here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663&start=0&tstart=0
Now I'm able to get to the blue screen, and the system doesn't exit into Darwin/BSD any longer. However, the Setup Assistant doesn't start either.
I only see an empty blue screen (I guess it's the GUI base screen) and the menu bar. The menu bar only has to items: one menu 'loginwindow', which doesn't have any entries. And the Apple-logo menu, which has the following menu entries:
- About This Mac
- Software Update...
- Mac OS X Software...
- System Preferences...
- Dock >
- Location >
- Force Quit...
- Sleep
- Restart...
- Shot Down...
- Log Out System Administrator...
The 'Restart...' entry doesn't work. I can, however, launch the System Preferences window.
Tail command of /var/log/System.log shows:
configd[41]: WirelessConfigure: 88001003
kernel[0]: Registering For 802.11 Events
kerner[0]: [HCIController][setupHardware] AFH Is Supported
kernel[0]: ATY,Aphrodite2_A: vram [98000000:08000000]
mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specific Computer Name; using default bMacintosh-0014513219B8b instead
kernel[0]: ATY,Aphrodite2_B: vram [98000000:08000000}
mDNSResponder: Couldn't read user-specified local hostname; using default bMacintosh-0014513219B8.localb instead
/System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app/Contents/MacOS/loginwindow: Login Window Application Started
loginwindow[141]: [Login.m:1867] Failed to launch /Applications/Server/Server Assistant.app/Contents/MacOS/Server Assistant (error -1)
mDNSResponder: Adding brows domain local.
Any recommendations on what to do next?
Thanks!
Torsten

Apologies, was a little vague. and as far as my profile goes i have loads of mac's here in the studio.
using MBP latest model, Snow Leopard with latest updates.
1. boot up in windows XP SP3 (bootcamp NTFS formatted 32GB partition) - all ok
2. shut down windows and re boot in OSX
3. boots up but fails to complete and hangs on blue screen (just prior to desk top picture loading)
4. press and hold power button to shut down
5. reboot in OSX - boots up fine this time

Screen boots into Darwin/BSD

I restarted my computer one day and it booted into a Black screen (Darwin/BSD).
I've tried the suggestions on various forums below:
http://missionitgroup.com/blog/?p=1490
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663
But I am still unable to get my computer to boot normally.
Every time I reboot, it either just goes to a blue screen, or the Welcome movie plays and can't get past a certain point.
Can anybody help with any further suggestions?
Thanks!

tsk80:
The 2 options they gave me was to:
-archive and reinstall everything
-erase everything and reinstall everything
There is a third option, which I believe is an option that will serve you better longer term. That option is to install a new larger capacity drive. This will
• Give you greater storage capacity
• Give you a faster HDD
• Improve your computer's performance because of higher rotational speed, and greater areal density provided by a larger capacity drive allowing your computer to access larger blocks of data on each rotation.
• Allow you more free space which will boost performance with more room for swap files and sufficient room for growing the directory and avoiding overlapping volume structures. You should maintain a minimum of 15% of available capacity of your HDD as contiguous free space for the benefit of the directory.
When you have installed your new HDD you will need to format it before you can install to it. I would put a fresh installation instead of reinstalling a corrupted directory. If you think there is merit in this suggestion we can offer step by step directions for each stage of the adventure.
Let me know what you think.
cornelius

Michael C stopped my MacBook booting into Darwin/BSD, but it is now sloooow

I am testing a MacBook 2.16 GHz for possible use at work. Upgraded to 3GB RAM and Hitachi 200GB HD. Performance was great after a week, but one day I got a dark screen at bootup with the Darwin/BSD-login-password message that a lot of people seem to get. I followed Michael Conniff's advice (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4550428) and got the system to boot into the GUI properly. But ever since then performance has been very slow: e.g. selecting the Date and Time takes 5 seconds to launch and clicking on the AirPort icon takes the same amount of time to produce the drop-down menu. It's like the MacBook is running in slow-motion. The exception is the Dock: it pops up quickly and the Apps scroll by quickly. Launching the Apps is another matter, though.
NO OTHER APPS INSTALLED. Really. No MS programs or even freeware. Just iLife '08. All the current updates have been installed. Zapped the PRAM, ran Disk Utility to check the disk and verify permissions--even booted into single-user mode and ran fsck (disk was okay). Tonight I reinstalled the OS in a clean install, installed all the updates, and afterwards the MacBook is just as slow. What is going on? If it's this slow, I guess I won't be using Parallels anytime soon to replace my Dell!

Well, this has been frustrating. The original hard disk also will occasionally boot into Darwin and menu selection is still very sluggish. The local Apple Store won't touch an Apple recertified MacBook--even one that was just delivered a couple of days ago from the Apple Store Online. I then spent several hours on the phone, mostly on hold, but sometimes transferred in a closed loop from Customer Support to Tech Support and back to Customer Support. Sadly, the case number I was given by a rep (the third one I spoke to) isn't showing up as valid either. At this point I just want to return the MacBook (which I think I still can), but I can't reach anyone to arrange for this!

: Booting to Darwin/BSD Screen

greetings,
I noticed a link here with a solution to my inquiry but I can't understand if there are suppose to be spaces or all info is suppose to be closed. the link is here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663&tstart=0&messageID=3088 809#3088809
I am sure the answer will work but I just couldn't figure out the segment, for instance the boot is written like this (/sbin fsck -fy) but when I tried it, I finally got the G4 to state it was actually /sbin/fsck -fy, where above it has spaces. after this I couldn't figure out how many spaces were between other codes listed here:
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /var/db/netinfo
mv local.nidb/ local.nidb.bad
ls -ln /Users
can some rewrite it correctly?
would it be like this:
/sbin/mount -uw
cd/var/db/netinfo
mvlocal.nidb/local.nidb.bad
ls -in/users
I couldnt get past the first, the G4 gave me other options after i typed in command /sbin/fsck -uy. would appreciate any feedback, its like a million combos to me at this point.

hmmm I got stuck on the first part, after i put in FY, it told me it was a error and to Force start it with -F, after that, it worked, I got the okay, but after i put in the code of /sbin/mount -uw / it pulled up the word MOUNT: and three lines of different codes, none of which were familiar.
I followed the link:
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/
that seemed to set me up with a new name, but when I control s, i dont get single anymore, only it popped up and said:
Welcome to Darwin!
"my name for admin"-powebook-g4-12:~ect.
I cant even get into single user anymore, it just comes up when i hit command s: Darwin/BSD (name, name-powerbook-) (console)
login:

Computer boots to black and white Darwin/BSD Screen

My iMac is running 10.4.11. While trying to edit user permissions for local networking, I made a huge mistake. I started changing a permission and realized in the middle that I had messed up. I quickly reset the launcher, and then reset the computer. when the computer was rebooting, It went directly to the darwin screen (black background white letters). I found a thread that gave me hope but ultimately did not solve the problem.
Booting to Darwin/BSD Screen (this is the like to the entire thread)
every thing worked as the article said it would until the end...
"Start up in Single User Mode and type carefully:
/sbin/fsck -y
Repeat the above until it says your disk is OK. Then:
/sbin/mount -uw /
cd /var/db/netinfo
mv local.nidb/ local.nidb.bad
ls -ln /Users
This last command will give you one line for each user, plus one for the "Shared" directory, which doesn't interest us. Each user will have a line like one of these:
<pre>
drwxr-xr-x 20 501 501 680 Jul 16 14:32 D. A. Hankerson
drwx------ 8 501 80 272 Jul 17 19:18 D.A. Hankerson
</pre>The second numeric field (501, 500) is the user ID (UID) and you need to list the uids against the shortname s given in the final column. Make sure you get the name right for UID 501! Then continue with
reboot
When you restart, you should get the Setup Assistant, just as if it was a new machine. You will be prompted for all of your user information. Be careful to use the same short name as previously for user 501." kind of confusing where to retype the user short name... in darwin or setup assistant
I followed all the steps then completed the Setup Assistant and just when it looked like problem solved, I was still sent back to the darwin screen.
Following the setup assistant only made more user accounts. the setup also would not allow me to input "." and " " (periods and spaces) as the article says.
Please help!
*Green text represents information specific to my machine.

While in the B/W desktop go to the System/Accessability preference pane and check to see if this checkbox is selected:
If it isn't toggle it on and then off again and see if there's any change.

Booting to Darwin/BSD, Setup Assistant Crashing

Last night I was simultaneosly updating OSX and my iPod using Software Update, when the screen dimmed and turned grey with the message stating that I needed to restart my computer by holding down the power button. Upon doing so the screen turned black instead of booting up normal and went into Darwin/BSD (console). From there i followed the instructions posted to boot in single user mode and read the log. there i was given the message
crashdump[409]: crash report written to: /Lib...
/System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app/Contents...
/System/Library/CoreServices...
crashdump[421]: Setup Assistant Crashed
Can anybody help? I can't get past the blue screen with the spinning wheel thing, it just keeps looping there.
iMac 20in 2.1Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.7)

hi there--
i would follow the instructions for a blue screen in this article. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106464. make sure everything is unplugged from your computer. being able to do a safe boot or a boot to the install disk at this time would be extremely valuable. there are things you can do however from single user mode which will sometimes resolve the issue, like renaming the preferences folder or loginwindow.plist. also you might want to try booting to open firmware holding apple-option-o-f and typing the following commands--
reset-nvram (hit return)
set-defaults (hit return)
reset-all (hit return)
the last command restarts the computer. if none of these things work, you will probably have to archive and install your operating system. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120. it is not an uncommon thing to be done for booting to the darwin bsd screen. keep me posted as to whether or not you are making any progress. [ 8 ) ]

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

Darwin/bsd screen??

Hi, I know this has been asked about before but a lot of the answers went over my head and some of the links were no longer working etc. Aside from design programs I'm not overly clued in about this stuff but i'm not too bad at figuring things out and following instructions so if someone could help that'd be awesome.
the other day my husband was using my powerbook G4 when it started going really slow (spinning coloured circle styles) so he quit out of everything and restarted and when it restarted it went to the black darwin/bsd login screen....
I can log in but I really have no idea what to do from there.
I followed some other instructions about a fsck etc etc until it said it "appears to be ok" but then I still don't know what to do from that and every time I restart it still goes to the darwin/bsd screen.
I have stuff on this machine that I hadn't backed up(stupid I know) that I'd rather not lose. Any help on what I should do would be appreciated.
I'm not so bothered about the laptop as I just got a new imac, so even if there's just a way to get my stuff off the laptop that would be cool.
Thanks

retanraiz :
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
The Darwin/BSD screen results from a corrupted NetInfo database. Michael Conniff has authored a method that works better in Panther (10.3x) than in Tiger. You can try it, if you wish.
The other option is to backup your data and do an Archive and Install.
If you are able to boot your computer into Firewire Target Disk Mode and you have access to a second Mac that supports firewire, you can backup your data to the HDD of the second Mac. The article linked has directions. However, if you have questions about this, please do not hesitate to post back and ask.
Good luck.
cornelius

How can I startup from my hard drive instead of Darwin/BSD screen?

Hi,
I have read most of the forum that was discussed regarding about the darwin/bsd screen. I still can not find the solution to solving my problem.
After using the Disk Warrior disc as a startup to fix the directory, and restarting the computer. It startup from the Disk Warrior disc again. After i took out the disc, this is when the darwin/bsd screen appears.
I had tried the following:
pressing OPTION KEY while it boots up, still wont recognize the HD
pressing C KEY while it boots up, still wont recognize the HD
pressig the SHIFT key while it boots up, still wont recognize the HD
Also, I had misplaced the disk utility disc..
can someone tell me how to resolve this situation..
desepartely seeking help

Hi!
I am not sure if you have seen this solution to Darwin/BSD screen, but it has worked for others: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663&start=15&tstart=0
If Option booting does not get you to boot off your external boot drive there a couple of things I can think of:
1. Hold down the "X" key from a cold start while you hit the power button.
2. Boot from the Installer CD, then go to the Installer Menu and choose startup drive.
3. A third, for good measure. It never hurts to Reset the PRAM, and often helps. Reset PRAM (from a cold start hold down Command + Option + P + R while hitting the power button and holding for 3 chimes. Release and allow to boot.
Hope at least one of these help.
Good luck.
cornelius
PismoG4 550, 100GB 5400 Toshiba internal, 1 GB RAM; Pismo 500 OS (10.4.4) Mac OS X (10.4.5) Beige G3 OS 8.6

Darwin/Bsd Screen Problem

I am facing problem with my imac ,on start it goes to black Darwin/Bsd Screen,no gui.
i have done the following procedure available on some forums but with no result.
Command+S
1- /sbin/fsck -fy >it gives disk ok message
2- tail -20 /var/log/system.log > it gives user authorization fail
3- /sbin/mount -uw /cd/var/db/netinfo mv local.nidb/ local.nidb.bad
output is mount [-dfruvw] [-o options] [-t ufs | external_type] special node
mount [-adfruvw] [-t ufs | external_type]
mount [dfruvw] special | node
4- ls -ln /users
output is showing two user with uid 501,502
what to do now ,if someone help me then may be i will solve it without reinstalling os

Apparently the NetInfo DB is corrupt, see the 4th post here...
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663
Or...
Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD...
http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/
Admin Hack...
http://www.hackmac.org/?q=node/4
Starts up like the first time you buy a new Mac, but after filling in all that info again, you should have access to the computer and the other Users & files will still be there... though I was just thinking, this new User probably shouldn't be the same name as an existing one.
If that doesn't work for you (and some users have reported it has not worked for them), try Niel's procedure Making the Setup Assistant reappear.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=607547

Security update 2007-004 boots into Darwin!?

I have an iBook G4 running Tiger. I regularly use auto updates so it is completely up to date. Yesterday I installed security update 2007-004 and now after logging in with my id and password the computer boots into Darwin!
I booted up from the Tiger install CD, ran 'disk permissions' and 'disk repair', then booted back to Tiger on my hard drive and... it still booted into Darwin.
Darwin asks for a user ID and password. I use my ID and password and it takes me to a prompt that's very similar to MS-DOS, meaning a colon followed by blinking cursor, waiting for my to type a command.
How do I fix this, and why did it happen?
FYI, my computer crashed a lot after the previous security update, but nothing this bad.
iBook Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Make sure you have a backup first. If you do an Archive & Install (remember to tick Preserve Network & User Settings), the computer will move everything into a folder called Previous System Folder. Move whatever you need out of that folder, then trash it. I don't know if A&I saves actual files or just preference settings etc.
Try putting "Security Update Darwin' into the search field, you should get some hits, if I find any myself I'll post them.
When you've got to the prompt, have you tried typing 'exit' or 'reboot'?
Steve

IBook boots into Darwin log-in screen

I've been having some problems with my iBook G5 not booting, or taking ages to do so...
It now boots into what looks like a UNIX screen. The screen says something about Darwin/BSD and asks for my ID and password.
I type in my iBook'a Admin ID/password but it won't accept it.
Has anyone encounted this problem and perhaps know what I need to do to fix this puppy?
The iBook is out of warranty, so I want to try a few things first before having to pay to get it fixed.
Thanks!

Hi. Do you have the install disk that came with your Macbook?You could do or try booting to single user. This is a way to check and repair your operating system,if you have no install disk to use. http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203176

Booting to Darwin/BSD login/password

Help! Upon doing the recommended Apple Updates, my comuter boots to a black screen asking for
Darwin/BSD (my name-Computer.local) (console)
login:
I executed some suggestions from other posts and it accepted a login & password, but then I get "Welcome to Darwin".
Help!

Sojourner:
I thought I'd share the more technical Unix approach first. I am not at all adept at Unix. Michael Coniff, who posted that solution also posts in the Unix Forum, but also frequents these pages. My own solution was more rudimentary. I share it here not because it is any way exemplary, but because it worked for me.
Here is an account of how I dealt with the issue:Nov 3, 2005 11:54 AM
I was finally able to get the iBook to boot from the install disk, after failing to get it to boot from TechTool Pro CD. Disk Utility reports a lot of extent allocation file overlaps that it can't repair. I was able to select my LaCie external boot drive as a Startup drive. I have TechTool Pro installed on it and am now running TechTool Pro. Hopefully this will straighten out those overlapping extent allocation files. Will keep you posted.
Nov 4, 2005 1:24 PM
After being able to get into the iBook by booting from my LaCie boot drive I ran DU and found all kinds of overlapping directories that DU couldn't repair.
Went to TechToolPro and repaired, rebuilt directories, optimized drives (took all night; my son-in-law never did any maintenance and almost 20,000 disk fragments). So I thought, for sure we had taken care of Darwin. However, rebooted from the iBook this a.m. and, sure enough, there was Darwin again.
So I am in the process of cloning the entire drive to an empty partition on my LaCie reserved for just such emergencies. Then I plan to wipe the entire HDD and write zeros all over it. Then reinstall and restore. Hope that takes care of the little devil. Will let you know.
Nov 4, 2005 7:59 PM
The project is complete. I have reinstalled Tiger and restored the User Folder, and the computer boots on its own. Darwin must be lurking somewhere, which is fine, so long as he doesn't show up on the display.Here is the link to that thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1047613&#1047613
Good luck.
cornelius

Blue screen following effort to fix Darwin/BSD screen

Our iMac began having issues yesterday and when rebooted it went to a screen that said Darwin/BSD. I followed previous post information (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=320663&start=0&tstart=0) to try and work through the problem. I got to the point where it said that my disk appeared OK and followed the other instructions until it said to type reboot. Now when it reboots it looks like it is going to get to the log in screen however it gets to a blue screen and is stuck. From time to time it will lighten quickly with the little timer circle and then quickly back to the blue screen. ANY HELP??? I am frustrated at this point.

Hi Willeford, and a warm welcome to the forums!
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Tiger Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it finishes.
(If perchance you cant Find your Install Disk, at least do the Safe Boot part above).
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, or things don't load/run, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates again, or even do an A&I if you have enough free disk space.
The combo update for PowerPC-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html
The combo update for Intel-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateintel.html
Repair Permissions before & after re-install, then reboot again each time.
If all the above fails, then it appears to be time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space and no Disk corruption, and is relatively quick & painless...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.
I only use Software Update to see what is needed, then get them for real via...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
That way I can wait a week or so, check the forums for potential problems, and get Permissions & such in order before installing.

PowerMac G4 MDD booting into DARWIN/BSD screen.

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