Mac Mini - Problem With Logging On...?

Question

Hi, my apple mac mini recently stopped working properly when i try to log on. I think the filevault image may be damaged as i get the message "You are unable to log onto the user account Jason at this time" Any ideas on how to fix it?

Answer 1

I have never seen this message and it gives no results from the Apple web site search. Are you sure those are the exact words? Disconnect from all networks and try again. Boot to an OS X CD (don't install anything) and look for the "Installer" menu at the top. See if there is a reset password option. Choose jason as the one to reset.

If that doesn't fix it and you have no other admin user accounts to login, maybe the netinfo database is hosed. You'll need to make a new admin user account. Follow the directions in the "III. Restoring from defaults" section of the article in the link below. The result will be all user accounts deleted and the Apple Setup Assistant will welcome you again like it did when you first started up a new Mac. If all goes according to plans, you can later find the old jason files in a disk image of the deleted users folder. But to use the files, you'll eventually need to create a new jason user that has the exact same short name as the old jason. The files are "owned" by jason.

Hint: I am fairly sure you don't actually have to delete the netinfo dtabase unless it is corrupt. Yours may actually be corrupt but it is worth a try to just remove the ".applesetupdone" file in single user mode and make a new admin user. Just be careful not to give it the same short name as the "jason" user. Then see if you can check to find out if the original jason folder has been moved or renamed. If so, move / rename it back. If this all fails, follow the article instructions to the letter.

Answer 2

Have a look in the user guide that should have come with it, they cover most technical problems. I personally have never come across this.