I need help with signing onto my MacBook

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

All of a sudden, my MacBook is automatically entering a password when I boot up the computer. The password is incorrect, I can't delete the password, try to log in, it gets rejected and I can finally enter the correct one and to computer completes the startup. This started after I had a loud screeching noise and a malware message. I didn't click on the malware message, closed Firefox and rebooted my computer. I reset my password, ran multiple antivirus and antimalware programs I got from the app store and nothing is found. Any ideas what I can do to stop this? Does Apple have something similar to system restore?

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

hmm I don't like the sound of that.

as I use a PC can't really help.

can you get to the Apple store for help?

hippityhop27 · ‎10-03-2011

Time machine should restore it, I've never personally used it though.

did you call AppleCare for help?

good luck!

jaxs mom · ‎04-18-2012

Time Machine only works if it's actually turned on and the back up drive location set. So since she doesn't seem to know it exists, I doubt it's been turned on to back up her macbook.

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@jaxs mom wrote:
Time Machine only works if it's actually turned on and the back up drive location set. So since she doesn't seem to know it exists, I doubt it's been turned on to back up her macbook.

I beg your pardon, I do know about time machine and it is turned on. I don't have a recent backup because this isn't my main computer. There isn't anything on here I need to restore or save. Perhaps someone else can help.

MKR14 · ‎03-09-2010

I had a problem when I had my MacBook Pro a few years ago. I called Apple and explained the situation and they had me shut down and he had me push a few keys and he had me reset the password. I then restarted it and it worked fine. The Rep stayed on the phone the whole time. I also asked him how to bypass having a password come up. I hope this will work for you. AppleCare is the best service I have ever had. Square Trade is almost as good and has good customer service.

hippityhop27 · ‎10-03-2011

I guess I misunderstood, are you trying to reset your password?

dooBdoo · ‎06-27-2010

I've never seen this before. Just a few initial thoughts. The culprit might be found in "startup items" or by looking at the logs on the Mac. (You can check various things by logging in as the normal username or as the Admin (root user) account, to see if you can uncover any clues.)

Since you can eventually get logged in, I think first I'd look at the System Preferences under Users & Groups to see if there's anything unusual there.

Under "Login Options" you want to turn "Automatic Login" off for each user so the password won't be automagically filled in. (And be sure a new user hasn't been added without your knowledge, while you're looking there.)

This, by itself, should stop the autofill but then you probably want to look around to see if any bad stuff is lingering to make trouble every time you start up the device.

If you want to see if there are any inappropriate startup items, also look at "Login Items" in the System Preferences Users & Groups.

Also, startup items are located in the Library folder, so you could check there to see if any malware stored something there. The Library folder is hidden, so you need to be in Finder first. Then hold down the "Option" key and look at Finder's dropdown "Go" menu (top of screen). Click "Library" and see if there's a "StartupItems" folder, and if there is take a look at its contents.

Another option is to peruse the various logs available on a Mac. Easy way to find them is to click the Apple logo, then click "About this Mac," then choose "System Reports." Look at "Logs" under "Software" (the Apple System Log will show you what occurs in the login process, among other things) and also at "Startup Items." "Installations" and/or the "Installer log" might show you if something bad was installed.

I hope some of this helps. I wrote quickly, so apologies if it's not clear. I hear thunder, and we've had some power and cable outages off and on so I don't know if I'll be back right away.

Best of luck to you, @glb613. I know how frustrating this sort of thing can be.

Few things reveal your intellect and your generosity of spirit—the parallel powers of your heart and mind—better than how you give feedback.~Maria Popova

MKR14 · ‎03-09-2010

@hippityhop27 I guess I misread the question not you. Sorry. I think a trip to the Apple Store may be needed.

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

@dooBdoo wrote:

          I've never seen this before. Just a few initial thoughts. The culprit might be found in "startup items" or by looking at the logs on the Mac. (You can check various things by logging in as the normal username or as the Admin (root user) account, to see if you can uncover any clues.)

          Since you can eventually get logged in, I think first I'd look at the System Preferences under Users & Groups to see if there's anything unusual there.

          Under "Login Options" you want to turn "Automatic Login" off for each user so the password won't be automagically filled in. (And be sure a new user hasn't been added without your knowledge, while you're looking there.)

          This, by itself, should stop the autofill but then you probably want to look around to see if any bad stuff is lingering to make trouble every time you start up the device.

          If you want to see if there are any inappropriate startup items, also look at "Login Items" in the System Preferences Users & Groups.

          Also, startup items are located in the Library folder, so you could check there to see if any malware stored something there.   The Library folder is hidden, so you need to be in Finder first.   Then hold down the "Option" key and look at Finder's dropdown "Go" menu (top of screen).   Click "Library" and see if there's a "StartupItems" folder, and if there is take a look at its contents.

          Another option is to peruse the various logs available on a Mac. Easy way to find them is to click the Apple logo, then click "About this Mac," then choose "System Reports." Look at "Logs" under "Software" (the Apple System Log will show you what occurs in the login process, among other things) and also at "Startup Items." "Installations" and/or the "Installer log" might show you if something bad was installed.

          I hope some of this helps.   I wrote quickly, so apologies if it's not clear.   I hear thunder, and we've had some power and cable outages off and on so I don't know if I'll be back right away.

          Best of luck to you, @glb613.   I know how frustrating this sort of thing can be.

I'm going to print out your instructions and see if anything works. I should have added, I also logged in under my 2nd user by mistake right before this happened. I doubt that's has anything to do with it but I thought I'd add it. I'll post back and let you know how it works.

I've had my Apple computers since 2012 and I still don't know them as well as I knew Windows. I tried doing a search at the Apple forums but couldn't find an answer. The closest Apple Store is 2 hours away which doesn't make taking it to the genius bar practical.

I followed your instructions and the problem is still there. I looked at the installer logs and to be honest, I'm not sure is anything bad was installed. Nothing is set for automatic logon/login so I don't know why it's doing it. I wish I knew how to restore my computer back to an early date.