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apattee

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 19, 2006
167
4
So I was using my mac, and got the security update via software updates. I installed it, restarted it, and now the operating system isn't there. When I hold option on start-up, it only gives me an option of Windows - even though I don't have boot camp anymore - I did a couple days ago but got rid of it. I do have vmWare though. Anyway, where did my mac go? I'm on the verge of panicking here. Any ideas what happened, and how to get it back? Thanks.
 
At least you can revert to the back-up you did before adding new software.... right?
 
At least you can revert to the back-up you did before adding new software.... right?

okay well booted up with disk to use disk utility but I'm not able to repair disk or anything in that box. And I did have a back up but I don't have my leopard disks, only tiger. Any other ideas.
 
At least you can revert to the back-up you did before adding new software.... right?
Welcome to MacRumors. ;)

okay well booted up with disk to use disk utility but I'm not able to repair disk or anything in that box. And I did have a back up but I don't have my leopard disks, only tiger. Any other ideas.
I'd get some Leopard discs unless your backup can be restored on Tiger.
 
can it? I have my external plugged in with the back up.
It might be a little annoying if it's Time Machine.

Otherwise most other solutions simply require you to run the application in restore mode.

Did you backup your entire system or just your user space?
 
If it's a Time Machine backup then you'll need to find your Leopard DVD.

its time machine. Okay but what the hell happened? My leopard disks are at school, so if I install tiger, download leopard, can I then get back to where I was?
 
its time machine. Okay but what the hell happened? My leopard disks are at school, so if I install tiger, download leopard, can I then get back to where I was?

okay, so I decided to reinstall tiger since I don't have my leopard disks but when I need to choose the destination my hard drive doesn't show up, yet I see it in disk utility but can't do anything to it there?
 
Sounds like your partition scheme is corrupt. Disk Warrior may be able to fix it. Otherwise you will probably have to reformat (but hopefully only the OS X partition).

If it happens again in a short time, like a month, then it probably means your drive is failing.
 
Argh! Same problem here.

I just downloaded and ran Diskwarrior based on recommendations here, and at same session applied the latest Security update and then shut down for the night.

Turn on my computer today and I'm at the installation assistant - it shows me my user logon screen, but once I pick my user name and then enter password it starts asking me questions like the OS was never installed.

I don't know if it was diskwarrior or the os update but ONE of them sucks, that's for sure. I've never had this problem before, and really am at a loss as to how to proceed. I'm afraid if I go through the installation process I'll lose what I had before.

I was running a parallels machine as well, and of course that's not time machine backup, so if I reformat I'll lose all that.

I left windows to avoid crap like this. I'd definitely recommend staying away from helper applications like diskwarrior based on this experience.

Sending this from the kids imac.
 
Got it fixed - found a link somewhere else referencing an apple document.

Basically boot in safe mode (hold down shift while turning on) and then when you reach the sign in screen do NOT signin, but select restart and have the machine reboot.

I then got a blue screen for quite awhile, then booted normally.

Glad to be back again! Not sure which was the cause, but man that is nervewracking.
 
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