Techsurvivors

Archives => 2009 => Topic started by: sokukodo on May 18, 2009, 08:35:15 PM

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 18, 2009, 08:35:15 PM

Attempted booting into single-user mode to run Applejack 1.5, rebooted, holding down the Command-s keys, and all it does is take me back to my regular log-in screen (also, when trying to reboot into Disk Warrior, holding down the "c" key does the same thing: back to the regular log-in screen).

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: Paddy on May 18, 2009, 09:25:09 PM

Are the shortcuts disabled by a firmware password perhaps?

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1715831

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 19, 2009, 12:43:10 PM

Using a firmware password is the only way that I can boot into Disk Warrior: reboot>Option key>enter password>choose disk. One cannot proceed without entering the firmware password. Why the Command-S doesn't function baffles me. Disk Warrior thinks it's the keyboard, but I have THREE keyboards, all Apple, and it doesn't work with any of them. The latest keyboard (the one I currently use), is two weeks old. Maybe there's some keyboard software or firmware that needs to be done. Beats me.

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 19, 2009, 06:14:48 PM

QUOTE

Why the Command-S doesn't function baffles me.

Apparently, that is one of the main functions of the firmware password. This prevents most people from being able to shutdown your computer and start it up with a CD/DVD/external drive and really have fun with you internal disks! Unfortunately, the firmware password seems to be rather easily rendered useless...assuming a person has physical access to your machine.

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 20, 2009, 10:52:07 AM

So I guess the question is: is there a way to disable having to use the firmware password to enable the use of the "C" & "Command-S"?

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 20, 2009, 11:07:45 AM

Just tried to re-set the PRAM (Option-Command + P + R) ... as usual, unresponsive keys.

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 20, 2009, 11:31:00 AM

Is there any special reason you want the firmware password in effect? <SecureMac article>

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 20, 2009, 12:00:12 PM

I DON'T want it in effect! That's the problem. It's the default behavior now ... I can't use the keyboard .... I can't boot into another disk (such as Disk Warrior, for instance) without having to restart, hold Option key, enter the password in the field (it's the grey with a lock and a password entry space), at which point the Mac HD & the disk is pictured, you choose "Disk Warrior" disk, then and only then will it boot into it ... when finished, one has to go through the whole procedure again (re-boot>option key>firmware password>choose Mac HD>re-boot ... ). I want to disable this whole procedure. Sure would be nice if I could just reboot and press "C" ... in addition, NO keyboard shortcuts work as long as this thing is enabled, no re-set pram, no single user mode, etc.

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: tacit on May 20, 2009, 12:47:21 PM

QUOTE(sokukodo @ May 20 2009, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I DON'T want it in effect! That's the problem. It's the default behavior now ... I can't use the keyboard .... I can't boot into another disk (such as Disk Warrior, for instance) without having to restart, hold Option key, enter the password in the field (it's the grey with a lock and a password entry space), at which point the Mac HD & the disk is pictured, you choose "Disk Warrior" disk, then and only then will it boot into it ... when finished, one has to go through the whole procedure again (re-boot>option key>firmware password>choose Mac HD>re-boot ... ). I want to disable this whole procedure. Sure would be nice if I could just reboot and press "C" ... in addition, NO keyboard shortcuts work as long as this thing is enabled, no re-set pram, no single user mode, etc.

If you tell us what version of OS X you are using, we can give you step by step directions to turn the password off.

It's different for different OS versions. On OS X 10.4, you have to put in your ORIGINAL Mac OS X installer CD, open the CD, look for a folder called Applications on the CD, look inside it for a folder called Utilities, and run the program named Open Firmware Password. In the dialog, turn off (uncheck) the option that says "Require password to change Open Firmware settings".

In OS X 10.5, you have to boot your computer from your ORIGINAL Mac OS X installer CD. Click on the Utilities menu at the top of the screen, choose the Firmware password Utility command, and uncheck "Require password to change Open Firmware settings".

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 20, 2009, 02:54:41 PM

Thanks, Tacit ... I'm running 10.5.7 (need to update my sig .... )

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 20, 2009, 04:02:53 PM

That didn't work ... changed password ... back to where I started ... still go through the same drill ... can't boot into anything without going to the option key and entering the NEW password ... all I want to do is to be able to press "C" and boot into Disk Warrior or press "Command-S" and get to Single User" option to run Applejack.

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: sokukodo on May 20, 2009, 10:51:08 PM

It worked! (I went to the wrong place ... to password change, rather than the Firmware Utility) ... Thank you ever so much, Tacit. What a relief!

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: Xairbusdriver on May 21, 2009, 06:44:38 PM

And, if you follow the link in post #7, you'll find other ways that don't require any use of Install disks. The fact is, anyone with physical access to your Mac can easily defeat that 'security feature.' That's the reason I was asking why you were using it.

Title: Single User mode not working
Post by: krissel on May 22, 2009, 02:24:34 AM

The easiest way is to switch out some RAM to change the total and then do a PRAM reset.  I was going to suggest it but I see you already took care of the problem.