Let me first describe my ordeal.
I have a <6mths old iMac 24" Intel Core 2 Duo (running Leopard), which contains migrated data (FileVault-ed) from my old iMac G5 (gen 2, upgraded to Leopard prior to migration).
After updating to 10.5.2, things started getting weird. At first, I couldn’t login my Filevault account (blue screen with spinning-rainbow cursor). Thinking it’s some file permissions problem, I booted using original Leopard Install DVD to run Disk Utility to try to repair permissions, nothing wrong. Then I boot into Safe mode, to see if there’s any application that’s hanging the system. Nothing there. Login problem still persists.
Booted into Single-User Mode to try a fsck, fsck fixed some permissions problems. Blue-screen login problem becomes grey-screen (before Login box) with arrow mouse cursor. Multiple reboots to Safe-mode didn’t work. Single-user mode still works though, but fsck is all clear.
I then put the iMac into Target mode, and connected (via Firewire) a Macbook Pro running Disk Warrior to rebuild the catalog. After successful rebuild of catalog, still grey screen with black cursor.
Then I tried to reinstall Leopard (Upgrade option not available, so I did Archive and Install). 2 unsuccessful attempts to install Leopard (A&I) failed midway. 3rd attempt to install Leopard failed with stuck DVD and blank screen with POST beeping (single) sound. Repeated attempts to get DVD out (mouse button) didn’t worked.
Finally brought in the iMac to Apple Service Center. Diagnostics pinpoint problem to blown capacitors in power circuitry (Apple’s contracted technician told me the culprit’s probably a power surge), HDD seemed alright. Power circuitry was replaced with no charge. Brought iMac home, installed surge protection power supplies, but grey screen still remains.
Performed DVD reinstall, this time Upgrade Option was allowed. Having 2 previous failed attempts with Archive & Install option, I figured to give Upgrade option a go. System came back on, with new installed Admin account (different name from previous account). Problem is I can’t find my old FileVault-ed files (no sparse files)!
Could someone please advise me how I can get back my FileVault account (its location, etc.)? Currently, I’m running a scan using Stellar Phoenix Macintosh, hopefully it will turn up something.
Alas, no TimeMachine backups.
Thanks in advance!!
I have a <6mths old iMac 24" Intel Core 2 Duo (running Leopard), which contains migrated data (FileVault-ed) from my old iMac G5 (gen 2, upgraded to Leopard prior to migration).
After updating to 10.5.2, things started getting weird. At first, I couldn’t login my Filevault account (blue screen with spinning-rainbow cursor). Thinking it’s some file permissions problem, I booted using original Leopard Install DVD to run Disk Utility to try to repair permissions, nothing wrong. Then I boot into Safe mode, to see if there’s any application that’s hanging the system. Nothing there. Login problem still persists.
Booted into Single-User Mode to try a fsck, fsck fixed some permissions problems. Blue-screen login problem becomes grey-screen (before Login box) with arrow mouse cursor. Multiple reboots to Safe-mode didn’t work. Single-user mode still works though, but fsck is all clear.
I then put the iMac into Target mode, and connected (via Firewire) a Macbook Pro running Disk Warrior to rebuild the catalog. After successful rebuild of catalog, still grey screen with black cursor.
Then I tried to reinstall Leopard (Upgrade option not available, so I did Archive and Install). 2 unsuccessful attempts to install Leopard (A&I) failed midway. 3rd attempt to install Leopard failed with stuck DVD and blank screen with POST beeping (single) sound. Repeated attempts to get DVD out (mouse button) didn’t worked.
Finally brought in the iMac to Apple Service Center. Diagnostics pinpoint problem to blown capacitors in power circuitry (Apple’s contracted technician told me the culprit’s probably a power surge), HDD seemed alright. Power circuitry was replaced with no charge. Brought iMac home, installed surge protection power supplies, but grey screen still remains.
Performed DVD reinstall, this time Upgrade Option was allowed. Having 2 previous failed attempts with Archive & Install option, I figured to give Upgrade option a go. System came back on, with new installed Admin account (different name from previous account). Problem is I can’t find my old FileVault-ed files (no sparse files)!
Could someone please advise me how I can get back my FileVault account (its location, etc.)? Currently, I’m running a scan using Stellar Phoenix Macintosh, hopefully it will turn up something.
Alas, no TimeMachine backups.
Thanks in advance!!
