Locked iMac

[Joe1234]

I noticed that phrase "... or a general failure has occurred."
And, you now have another symptom of a failing/failed hard drive.


Prepare to replace the hard drive - make a backup, if needed (and if you CAN backup now)
If the hard drive is original, it has had a good 8 years for a spinning hard drive.

And, you can consider replacing the spinner with an SSD for a noticeable performance boost.
If you replace the hard drive, be sure to pay attention to the need for a hard drive temp sensor - or a replacement for that sensor connection if you upgrade to an SSD. (That will keep the fans quiet, which you will like! )

How can I back up in this situation?
How do I go about replacing the hard drive?
I really appreciate all your help!
[doublepost=1494619182][/doublepost]

I noticed that phrase "... or a general failure has occurred."
And, you now have another symptom of a failing/failed hard drive.


Prepare to replace the hard drive - make a backup, if needed (and if you CAN backup now)
If the hard drive is original, it has had a good 8 years for a spinning hard drive.

And, you can consider replacing the spinner with an SSD for a noticeable performance boost.
If you replace the hard drive, be sure to pay attention to the need for a hard drive temp sensor - or a replacement for that sensor connection if you upgrade to an SSD. (That will keep the fans quiet, which you will like! )

How do I back up in this situation? How do I go about getting a new hard drive/spinner?
I really appreciate all your help!
[doublepost=1494619545][/doublepost]

I noticed that phrase "... or a general failure has occurred."
And, you now have another symptom of a failing/failed hard drive.


Prepare to replace the hard drive - make a backup, if needed (and if you CAN backup now)
If the hard drive is original, it has had a good 8 years for a spinning hard drive.

And, you can consider replacing the spinner with an SSD for a noticeable performance boost.
If you replace the hard drive, be sure to pay attention to the need for a hard drive temp sensor - or a replacement for that sensor connection if you upgrade to an SSD. (That will keep the fans quiet, which you will like! )

Also what's weird is from that screen I can go to apples website and then any website and after it loads it asks me for the keychain passcode...

 

[DeltaMac]

How do I back up in this situation? How do I go about getting a new hard drive/spinner?
I really appreciate all your help!

Also what's weird is from that screen I can go to apples website and then any website and after it loads it asks me for the keychain passcode...

Do you ALREADY have a backup, such as that using the built-in Time Machine?
If you can boot to another drive --- this is a nice time to have an external drive with a full system that you can use to help you back up your files. If you haven't ever used Time Machine, you can download Carbon Copy Cloner, and use that to make a backup of your internal drive. Of course, keep in mind that you apparently are having problems with the drive, and you may not be able to back up anything.
But, no harm in trying.
iFixit can help with instructions showing how to replace a hard drive.
Such as - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2308+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1766
That page not only shows you the steps, it also tells you exactly the tools that you will need for the job.
Or, even better, this kit from OWC includes all the tools that you would need, plus a universal temp sensor cable, which you may find to be the most important part of replacing the hard drive in your iMac.

Are you SURE that it asks for a "keychain passcode" (in those words?), and NOT your AppleID account password?

 

[Joe1234]

Do you ALREADY have a backup, such as that using the built-in Time Machine?
If you can boot to another drive --- this is a nice time to have an external drive with a full system that you can use to help you back up your files. If you haven't ever used Time Machine, you can download Carbon Copy Cloner, and use that to make a backup of your internal drive. Of course, keep in mind that you apparently are having problems with the drive, and you may not be able to back up anything.
But, no harm in trying.
iFixit can help with instructions showing how to replace a hard drive.
Such as - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2308+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1766
That page not only shows you the steps, it also tells you exactly the tools that you will need for the job.
Or, even better, this kit from OWC includes all the tools that you would need, plus a universal temp sensor cable, which you may find to be the most important part of replacing the hard drive in your iMac.

Are you SURE that it asks for a "keychain passcode" (in those words?), and NOT your AppleID account password?

Thank so so much for your advice!!
Yes I'm sure it specifically asks for keychain passcode. May I ask why?

 

[DeltaMac]

The keychain unlock is not called a "passcode", but uses "password"
Yes, small difference, and maybe the terms are mostly interchangeable, but not according to the Keychain Access utility.
Just wanted to know if that is the exact wording of the message that you saw.

One thing that you can do is to make sure the keychain password is synced to the user password. You can easily do that by changing your user password, in Users and Groups pref pane in your System Preferences.
This may sound strange, but change your password there, by typing in your present password as the new password (don't actually change it, use the same password that you already know) Reason is, the system will do the change process, even if you use the same password - and, the keychain password is re-synced to your user password - and (in theory) the system should not ask for your keychain password after doing that fix.

 

[Joe1234]

The keychain unlock is not called a "passcode", but uses "password"
Yes, small difference, and maybe the terms are mostly interchangeable, but not according to the Keychain Access utility.
Just wanted to know if that is the exact wording of the message that you saw.

One thing that you can do is to make sure the keychain password is synced to the user password. You can easily do that by changing your user password, in Users and Groups pref pane in your System Preferences.
This may sound strange, but change your password there, by typing in your present password as the new password (don't actually change it, use the same password that you already know) Reason is, the system will do the change process, even if you use the same password - and, the keychain password is re-synced to your user password - and (in theory) the system should not ask for your keychain password after doing that fix.

The problem is that I don't know the user password and it's the same as the keychain password.
My question is does it make sense that the hard drive is broken if I can actually get to a website?

 

[DeltaMac]

You can change the user account password.
Boot to the recovery system. Run the terminal, type in resetpassword, and the Reset Password app will open.
Choose your user account. Type in the password you want to use, and save it.
Restart. You will get a login window. Login to your user account with the password you just created.
And NOW, you can do the keychain password, too!

 

[Beachguy]

File Vault is a great tool ~ if you are a former KGB Assassin.

What if you are CURRENTLY a KGB assassin?

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Well that is simple!

Do it! Tell no one!! Deny it!!! Phone Vlad or Donald!!!!

 

[cynics]

Nobody else find this slightly iffy?

Joined 3 hours ago... Isn't sure if 'firevault' is in use... Doesn't know the iMac model. When asked directly only quotes A1311 rather than a more typical 21.5-inch late 2013 resppnse.

Reads like Joe1234 is trying to get into someone else's iMac from here.

It should be noted for those that find this thread via google or other means. A stolen mac (not saying that is the case here) can be traced even after wiped and new credentials are entered.

About 2-3 years ago I found a good deal on eBay for a Mac Mini. Bought it, picked it up, logged on with my AppleID, etc. Worked perfectly. Next night a sheriff deputy and detective were at my door asking where I got the Apple computer. Apparently it had been stolen directly from an Apple shipment.

The story gets much weirder but the point is stealing Apple products is a bad idea because even if you are selling them there is a good chance it will be traced back to you. And that is if you are lucky enough to even them to work again due to passwords, encryptions, etc.

Another lesson to learn, if the deal seems too good to be true its because it probably is.
[doublepost=1495244471][/doublepost]I apologize in advance because maybe I missed it, but can't you ask your father for the password?

If not just replace the HDD with another HDD or better yet an SSD. I'm not sure the HDD is failing or the system is just preventing you from circumventing the password protections. Regardless it doesn't sound like you are getting anywhere anyway.....

I wouldn't even bother with a back up, just be prepared to lose all data.