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Stuck at the Starting Login Window

S

Stoogie

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 15, 2005
4
0
Hi,

I have come across a problem... :(

I installed all the Software Updates available, including the iSight and Airport updates (mainly to get rid of them, and I may add these later to my G5 iMac), and now when I reboot, I get no further than the "Starting Windows Login" part...

I have to assume its something to do with adding the updates as it was all working fine before then...

I can start in Safe Mode fine, and I get in OK, but normal boot halts (no errors, mouse works, just goes not go any further) at the "Starting Login Window" :confused:

Any thoughts on how to either A) Reverse the Updates B) Get around this?

Cheers,

.\/.artin
 
yellow said:
Restart in Safe Mode. Remove the file:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow.plist

Restart. All set?
Click to expand...

Sorry, did that, and still stops at "Login Window Starting". :confused:

The machine is obviously not hung, as the mouse still works (and the the blue animation moves).. but, its still unable to get past this point :(
 
"Login Window Starting" hang Solution !!

Stoogie said:
Sorry, did that, and still stops at "Login Window Starting". :confused:

The machine is obviously not hung, as the mouse still works (and the the blue animation moves).. but, its still unable to get past this point :(
Click to expand...

OK, a solution... :cool:

I did some hunting around, and found reference to Northern Softworks Cache Cleaner.

I booted my G5 iMac into Safe Mode, and then I downloaded the (shareware - but will be registering!!!!) Panther Cache Cleaner (2.4.8) from their website:

http://www.northernsoftworks.com/panthercachecleaner.html

I used the "Maintenance" section, with:

o Repair Permissions
o Run Maintenance Scripts
o Rebuild Pre-bindings
o Clean System Log Archives

and selected "Run" at the lower right of the screen.

This ran and then asked for a reboot.. which went through the startups, and past the "Login Window Starting" option :D

Big grins at this end :)

So, to be sure, I shut down the G5 (i.e.: not simply reboot) and restarted. Did this twice to be sure it was not a fluke :cool:

... and its working fine.

So, for anyone else who has this problem, I hope this description makes your lives easier and allows you to resolve the issue

Cheers,

.\/.artin
 
i've had this happen once, it was a horrible pain in my butt to fix because i am not all that "wise" to mac os yet. (i'm learning and loving, just not up to par i guess)
so now that i look at my activity monitor and see another log in window hung, i am scared to even run OnyX (because it will make me restart)
i guess i will have to bite the bullet and try it, but just in case all hell breaks loose and i have to use my windows machine to come back and get help, here is a screenshot
 

Attachments

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Login Window Starting

I have an iBook G4 and also have this problem. My computer is still stuck on that screen even when I attempt to start in safe mode:confused: . Any suggestions?
 
SxyJmcn said:
I have an iBook G4 and also have this problem. My computer is still stuck on that screen even when I attempt to start in safe mode:confused: . Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Start up in Single User Mode to use FSCK

FSCK - File System Check (Repair Disk)

To start up in single-user mode

1. Shut down the computer if it is on.

2. Press the power button to start the computer. If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.

3. Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and the "s" key.

You have successfully entered single-user or verbose mode when you see white text appear on the screen.

4. At the command-line prompt, type
/sbin/fsck -fy ( don't forget the space between k and - )

5. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****

Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 4 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).

6. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

Your computer should start up normally and allow you to log in.

If you can start up normally ... do this ...
Download and Run this ...Onyx
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582
Go to Automation Pane ..
Check all the boxes EXCEPT
1. Optimize the system
2. Hidden DS Store Files
3. Links between documents and applications

Also choose "Clear All" in the button box for caches. Then execute

These settings perform three basic troubleshooting procedures ...
1. Repair permissions
2. Run Unix maintenance (cron) scripts
3. Clear caches

If you can't startup normally ... try booting into Safe Mode again ...
If you boot into it ... download onyx and do the things i told you about ..

Let me know how it works out ...

For others and future reference ...

Login Window Troubleshooting ...

1./ Move these Preference Files to the trash and then Empty the Trash

A/ Macintosh HD/Your Account/Library/Preferences/loginwindow.plist

B/ Macintosh HD/Your Account/Library/Preferences/ com.apple.loginwindow.plist

C/ Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow.plist

D/ Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist

2./ Download and Run this ...Onyx
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582
Go to Automation Pane ..
Check all the boxes EXCEPT
1. Optimize the system
2. Hidden DS Store Files
3. Links between documents and applications

Also choose "Clear All" in the button box for caches. Then execute

These settings perform three basic troubleshooting procedures ...
1. Repair permissions
2. Run Unix maintenance (cron) scripts
3. Clear caches

3./ Disable problematic startup items in
System Preferences/Accounts/Startup Items

4./ Disable auto-mounting of networked volumes ... Finder/Go/Connect To Server/delete all servers listed.

5./ Disable or uninstall any "haxies" (third party applications that alter the look or function of your basic system)

6./ Go System Prefs/Network/Built in Ethernet/TCP/IP/DNS Server box ... delete any entries there ...

7./ Delete Finder Preferences
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/finder.html
 
I tried this, but was still unable to log in. Safe mode didn't work either. It still gets stuck at the same part.
 
SxyJmcn said:
I tried this, but was still unable to log in. Safe mode didn't work either. It still gets stuck at the same part.
Click to expand...
Try downloading the 10.4.6 combo updater and re-installing it. If something broke in an update, that is probably the best place to start.

EDIT: ooops ..didn't realize you couldn't get into safe mode either. Your best bet (as far as I know) would be to boot from the OS X install DVD and do an Archive/Install. You will be able to retrieve all of your personal files this way while getting a new system folder.
 
Hi zweigand ...

From what I know ...
you shouldn't do an archive and install until you at least repair the disk ....which may solve his problems anyway ..

I actually describe "Single user mode" ... which is different than safe mode.
Did you try booting into single user mode?

If you can't do that ... you'll need your Install disk 1 to run Disk utility and "disk repair" ... Put it in the drive ... shut down .. and then start up again holding down the "c" key ...


(B) When the Installer window opens, select Installer > Disk Utility from the Apple® menu bar.

(C) When the Disk Utility window opens, select "Macintosh HD" in the list on the left.

(D) Select the First Aid tab on the right

(E) Select the "Repair Disk" button on the lower right of the screen.
If errors are returned repeat this process 2 or 3 times until they are gone.

If you still get errors then you will need to use a third-party disk utility to repair your Mac OS X boot volume, such as Alsoft® Disk Warrior®
http://www.alsoftinc.com/DiskWarrior/index.html

(F) After Repair Disk completes - Repair Permissions ... then > Quit. Focus returns to Installer.

(G) Go to Installer > Quit. In the next menu choose Quit again and the computer will restart in OSX

If you can boot normally run Onyx as I described ... if you ever have to delete the loginwindow prefs as I mentioned ... you might need this key command to reboot ..

Reboot using this key command
Control +Command (Apple Key) + Eject (Top right of keyboard)

Keep us posted ...
 
berg said:
Start up in Single User Mode to use FSCK

FSCK - File System Check (Repair Disk)

To start up in single-user mode

1. Shut down the computer if it is on.

2. Press the power button to start the computer. If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.

3. Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and the "s" key.

You have successfully entered single-user or verbose mode when you see white text appear on the screen.

4. At the command-line prompt, type
/sbin/fsck -fy ( don't forget the space between k and - )

5. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****

Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 4 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).

6. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.
Click to expand...

I have a Powerbook G4 version 10.3.9 and the same six messages keep reappearing under

"** Checking Catalog File.
Overlapped extent allocation (file ########)
Overlapped extent allocation (file ########)
Overlapped extent allocation (file ########)
Overlapped extent allocation (file ########)
Overlapped extent allocation (file ########)
Overlapped extent allocation (file ########)


Hangs and the "Login Window starting" in both regular and safe boot. Cursor moves/swirls, and the blue loading animation runs, but it will not go to the login page.
 
Help pwease!!!!

eep my Maimac is being defunct and im distraught someone please help me ... cry


Its freezing at login window starting like the rest above.

Logged in at single user mode and run the File system Check

comes up with -

** /dev/rdisk0s5
** Root file system
** Checking Extents Overflow file
** Checking Catalog file
Incorrect block count for file Temp File
(it should be 1011 instead of 0)
Keys out of order
(4, 1248)
** Rebuilding Catalogue B-tree
** The volume Maimac could not be repaired

What to do now, any Ideas???
 
Stoogie said:
I booted my G5 iMac into Safe Mode, and then I downloaded the (shareware - but will be registering!!!!) Panther Cache Cleaner (2.4.8) from their website:

http://www.northernsoftworks.com/panthercachecleaner.html

I used the "Maintenance" section, with:

o Repair Permissions
o Run Maintenance Scripts
o Rebuild Pre-bindings
o Clean System Log Archives
Click to expand...
I think OnyX can do all of these, and its free, I would sure try it out if this were to happen to me. Thanks for the info.
 
My cannot-boot-guide :)

If you can not boot in to mac os x even while in safe mode, the only things you can do is repair disk and repair disk permissions from the install discs. If repair disk, fails. Two options, Erase and Install, or try Disk Warrior.

If you can get into safe mode, first thing is to remove both the user and system caches. Then the remove all the startup items from System Preferences/Accounts/Startup Items. Restart. If nothing again, once again boot up to the safe boot.

This time around copy the entire /Library/StartUpItems folder to the desktop. Then delete the folder. This folder only contains third party StartUpItems so generally it doesn't have a lot of downsides to removing it.

Then restart again, if still no booting up regularly, things are going to get much more difficult. Boot to safe mode again.

Now try creating a new user on the computer, restart, see if you can log into the new user. If so, boot into safe mode and create a disc image with disk utility of your old user and copy it to your new one. If you cannot login to the new user, you have problems.

At this point I will almost suggest doing an Archive and Install as it will definitely easier. But if you are persistent, you are going to have to remove the kernel extensions from the /system/library/extensions one by one. THIS IS VERY RISKY, and can easily make things worse.
 
mem_/2/4DIMMO/BUILT-IN

hmm I may be being stupid...

So Ive tried to go in via safe mode, pressing shift on chime and letting go when I see the grey apple of joy. the progress thing spins round and then the comp restarts itself.

I would try a software reinstal from the CD's that came with my ibook but everything I read says I have to be in OSX to run it :confused:
Is there some secret covert way to run the CD without being in OSX or am I doomed to go to an Apple retailer and fork out my mula still wett with my broken apple tears.
 
Thank xx

I ended up just deleting the beast and installing OSX again. Its looking good :)
I had a load of poo on it i needed to get rid of anyway ...
 
Chances are you would of needed too reinstall anyways. If the computer restarts during trying to boot in to Safe Boot, there is directory corruption on the hard drive. You could of tried to repair disk from the OS discs, but it might of worked.

A tip to prevent this: Try to run a verify disk from the disk utility at least once a month.
 
i had the same problem....

when I reboot, I get no further than the "Starting Windows Login" part...


I had Os 10.3.9 and I updated to 10.4 with the installation dvd

now it works! :apple:

:D
 
Basically same thing

Hello, Not sure if this thread is still going and I didn't see a need to make a new one. Anyhoo.. I'm basically experiencing the same issue, Running 10.3.9.. I recently updated with the new QT, iTunes, and a couple Security Updates, everything went well computer was still running after the restart, ran the other night just fine.. then this morning I got the 'Starting Windows Login' hang-up. I read a few posts here and there, tried the single-user mode and ran the /sbin/fsck -fy and I got a message after it completed as followed..

Checking Catalog File.
Keys out of order
(4, 398)
Rebuilding Catalog B-Tree.
The Volume Mac OS X could not be repaired.

After, that I'm a bit lost on what to do, I tried booting into safe mode and it simply loads to the gray screen for a moment then restarts, as for booting from cd perhaps its my disk but it failed as well. Any ideas would be appreciated. Also let it be noted that I haven't used this system in a long time, so if this post gets replied to.. please walk me through it, Thank you.

Edit: Figured out that my internal rom doesn't like to read certain types of media, luckily I have an external rom. Booted off the cd, ran a repair on the permissions it fixed a couple things, ran a disk repair and it came back with the error about the keys out of order and unable to repair. Tried to archive and install, had an error.. so I am currently erasing the partition and reinstalling.
 
Update on my computer.

I ran disk utility, repair disk and verify repair disk both said the hard drive appeared to be OK. It would not boot anyways.

I waited until the release of 10.5 and on the night of it's release, attempted to install it on my computer. It too, hanged at the last minutes of installation. Upon rebooting, the computer indicated there was no system to run off of ( a computer face and a "?" file flashing back and forth)

My good friend performed a 7 pass sweep on the hard drive and attempted to reinstall the OS and it ran into the same problem.


At this point I'm either going to have to buy a new hard drive or a new computer, unless anyone has better Ideas.

o yes, and i tried repairing the hard drive with 10.5 utility as well. No dice.
 
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