Login Loop for Usual User Account

Hello --

I'm new to the forum, but I've been a Mac user for years. This is the first time I've ever had an issue with my iMac in the four years that I have had it. I'm not exactly sure what set it off, but a couple of days ago, my iTunes was acting funny and freezing along with not recognizing my iPhone when I plugged it in.

After restarting the iMac a couple of times, my computer started showing a login screen, when it was set to automatically login to my usual account. After typing in the correct password, the boot would continue until I could see my desktop, but after a couple of seconds, would cycle back to the login screen.

After messing around with my root directory and deleting some plist files and Launch files, I tried re-installing OSX to no avail. I then created a new root account, which has lead me to have access to all of my files and make my iMac usable, but I still cannot login to my usual account.

I would love if there was something I could do without having to backup my files and start from scratch. I'd prefer to save my preferences and have access to my account again!

Please please please someone help me!

- A very desperate grad student.

 

Thanks for your reply!!

I tried exactly what you said, however, I am running OSX Snow Leopard, not Lion. When I got to the stage of creating a new Admin account with the same file and user names, it simply wouldn't let me saying that another user was already existed with those names, it wouldn't even give me the option to share the folder. Any other ideas?

 

There has got to be someone out there that can help me!