Mac OS X no GUI on startup

[Xemus]

It loads the smiling Mac icon, then goes to a command shell and gives the error
.etc/master.password: no such file or directory
Not sure what they did to the computer to cause this to happen. Any ideas on getting it to boot?

http://www.closedsocket.com

 

[wardy66]

Have you tried booting to single user mode?

I think it's apple-s at startup

once there, you'll be in UNIX and might be able to fix that file. Have you got another Mac around to see what's in the file?

If you're not happy in UNIX, It'd be better to get someone that is to help, I think.

Otherwise, boot off the CD (Install disks) and see if you can fix it from there. But /etc will not be visible to normal Mac OS X Finder, so once again you need to play in Terminal.

HTH
~ Michael

 

[Xemus]

It was booting into single user mode, and wouldn't boot from CD (had a bootable restore disc in the drive).
Owner decided to attempt a reinstall himself, and buy a PC from us.

Thanks anyways.

http://www.closedsocket.com