How to exit single user mode on iBook G4?

[DeltaMac]

Go to your System Preferences, then the Accounts pane (might be "Users & Accounts", or "User & Groups" on yours)
You should see a list of user accounts
One should be the one that you are logged in to: System Admin, or may say "root" (which is the root user account, and not one that is normally used except for special purposes). The root account leaves your Mac vulnerable to outside access.
What OTHER accounts are listed in that pane?
If no other accounts, then add one for yourself.
Once you have that added, you should be able to log out (probably after a restart, when you should now see a login window where you can choose the account that you just created, and you should be able to log in to that new account. The account "Other" will only be accessible then if you know the password for that account.
Let us know how that goes.

 

[chabig]

That's helpful, but weird. It looks like it boots to a screen that asks you to confirm the language. The installer for the operating system does that. Booting was slow too. Is it booting from a CD perhaps? And it's a very old machine so it's slow, but it would also be slow to log out. Are you waiting long enough?

Can you afford to,lose the data on this machine? If yes, there are other things you can try. Let me know.

 

[DeltaMac]

Notice it is booting into the root user, without a login window. I did not know that was possible.
I suspect that a previous owner removed accounts, and removed a little too much. I also expect that it will need a reinstall of OS X.

 

[AlexSiBook]

Go to your System Preferences, then the Accounts pane (might be "Users & Accounts", or "User & Groups" on yours)
You should see a list of user accounts
One should be the one that you are logged in to: System Admin, or may say "root" (which is the root user account, and not one that is normally used except for special purposes). The root account leaves your Mac vulnerable to outside access.
What OTHER accounts are listed in that pane?
If no other accounts, then add one for yourself.
Once you have that added, you should be able to log out (probably after a restart, when you should now see a login window where you can choose the account that you just created, and you should be able to log in to that new account. The account "Other" will only be accessible then if you know the password for that account.
Let us know how that goes.

There are other accounts. I will try deleting the other accounts and then adding a new one.

That's helpful, but weird. It looks like it boots to a screen that asks you to confirm the language. The installer for the operating system does that. Booting was slow too. Is it booting from a CD perhaps? And it's a very old machine so it's slow, but it would also be slow to log out. Are you waiting long enough?

Can you afford to,lose the data on this machine? If yes, there are other things you can try. Let me know.

I can totally lose the data as I have nothing important on the computer

 

[DeltaMac]

Try a keyboard shortcut to log out. Might make a difference.
From your desktop, press Control and Eject. You should get a dialog window with choices to Restart, Sleep, Cancel, or Shut Down. Try either Restart, or Shut Down. Give it a minute or two to see if that eventually does anything.

 

[chabig]

I can totally lose the data as I have nothing important on the computer

You might try this then...it restores the computer to an out of the box condition, assuming the OS is intact.

1. Boot to single user mode (cmd-s)

2. Mount the filesystem

mount -uw /

3. Clean up the image using these terminal commands:

rm /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/db/BootCache.playlist
rm /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/db/volinfo.database
rm -r /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/vm/sleepimage
rm -r /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/vm/swap*
rm -r /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/temp
rm /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/db/.AppleSetupDone

4. Shut down

shutdown -h now

Then power it on and let it reboot. It should prompt you to set up the computer like new.

 

[AlexSiBook]

You might try this then...it restores the computer to an out of the box condition, assuming the OS is intact.

1. Boot to single user mode (cmd-s)

2. Mount the filesystem

mount -uw /

3. Clean up the image using these terminal commands:

rm /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/db/BootCache.playlist
rm /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/db/volinfo.database
rm -r /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/vm/sleepimage
rm -r /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/vm/swap*
rm -r /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/Users/temp
rm /Volumes/Macintosh\ HD/var/db/.AppleSetupDone

4. Shut down

shutdown -h now

Then power it on and let it reboot. It should prompt you to set up the computer like new.

Some of the files I tried to remove were missing, so I ignored those.
Anyways, it still booted like it did before, so my issue isn't fixed

 

[chabig]

Some of the files I tried to remove were missing, so I ignored those.
Anyways, it still booted like it did before, so my issue isn't fixed

I'm glad you tried. I'm not surprised that some of the things listed were missing, as I didn't know what version of the OS you had. This is a very sticky problem. What version of the OS do you have? Your best bet is probably to find an install DVD.

 

[chibiterasu]

At this point, just download a copy of any OS X version compatible with your iBook of your choice, burn it and install it. I don't think this back and forth stuff is going to get anyone anywhere. A clean operating system will likely fix your issue permanently.

I'm glad you tried. I'm not surprised that some of the things listed were missing, as I didn't know what version of the OS you had. This is a very sticky problem. What version of the OS do you have? Your best bet is probably to find an install DVD.

I agree with these guys. I would go for Tiger if your downloading one. (or leopard if you have near 1GB of ram and a Dual layer DVD to burn it to)

 

[Dronecatcher]

Try reading all the thread

You've misunderstood my intention.
I intended the OP to use Terminal to turn off/reboot as the Finder menu has gone, then boot into single user to run disk utilities, repair permissions etc.