/etc/master.passwd: No such file or directory

[thedoouge]

Hello, When I boot I get a full black screen, and:
/etc/master.passwd: No such file or directory
/etc/master.passwd: No such file or directory
-sh-2.05b#
I have tried fsck -f and it runs, I get the response
The volume Macintosh HD appears to be ok
I type "reboot" and it starts rebooting again and I get the loop of:
/etc/master.passwd: No such file or directory
/etc/master.passwd: No such file or directory
-sh-2.05b#
Is there any way of fixing this problem?
I am running OSX 10.3.9 on a 17" iMac
Thanks in advance
Patrick

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Did you somehow delete your /etc "folder"? If so, there may be a cure: Mac OS X: Issues after removing "etc" and/or "var" directory alias...

 

[RoadKill]

what where you doing before this started to happen?

I think the quickest/easiest way to get your system stable again might be to put in your OS disc and boot holding C at the chime and do a "archive and install"

 

[semaja2]

can you "cd" into the "/etc" path and then do a "ls" and does it give any output?

if it doesnt well i guess you could try to "cd" into "/private" and "ls" to tell us whats in there

 

[thedoouge]

That fixed it!

Did you somehow delete your /etc "folder"? If so, there may be a cure: Mac OS X: Issues after removing "etc" and/or "var" directory alias...

Thank you very much, that fixed the problem.
I learned 2 lessons today.
1/ Don't delete it if you don't know what it does
2/Forums really work!
Thanks again
Patrick

 

[Edmond4]

Google Searched This, Same Issue

I have the same issue this guy did, but the directions given don't solve my problem.

I have on screen when attempting to boot:

/etc/master.passwd: No such file or directory

Then on the next line: -sh-2.05b#

And what did I do? Deleted three aliases on my startup disc. Looked like clutter, didn't recognize they were aliases I created, so I put them in the trash and deleted it.

If I reboot from disc, how do I get the disc into the drive? Holding down the eject doesn't work. Holding down "C" doesn't give me the option to boot from a backup USB connected hard drive.

Much appreciated guys. I did this kind of stuff in early windows use, deleting something that looked like trash or spy ware, and had to go back and undo such a stupid thing.

I'm running OS X 10.4.11. on a G5 Powermac tower, a 2005 built machine.