Please Help - Update Failure

[Fluffy025]

I recently upgraded from Sierra (not high) to Mojave. Ever since, when I try to login, any username or password I use doesn't work, all it does is shake a bit. I tried using recovery mode and resetting the password through the terminal, but when the reset password thing pops up, it says I don't have any users.

I attached a picture of what the terminal said
(I do not have a time machine backup as I didn't have enough space for one)
[doublepost=1538130503][/doublepost]I have a feeling it is due to the new file format High Sierra introduced. But surely updating from not Al Sierra to Mojave would be fine? If anyone knows how to fix it it would be appreciated.
[doublepost=1538130595][/doublepost]This is what happens when I try reset
[doublepost=1538130711][/doublepost]This is my login screen
[doublepost=1538131022][/doublepost]Disk Utility

 

[Fishrrman]

It looks to me like the "upgrade" itself did not "fail".
What's wrong is that you don't have the correct password.

Are we talking about a MacBook or desktop Mac?
If it's a laptop, why don't you take it to an Apple Store genius bar?

Question:
Do you happen to have a USB flashdrive around that is 16gb or larger?

 

[Fluffy025]

It looks to me like the "upgrade" itself did not "fail".
What's wrong is that you don't have the correct password.

Are we talking about a MacBook or desktop Mac?
If it's a laptop, why don't you take it to an Apple Store genius bar?

Question:
Do you happen to have a USB flashdrive around that is 16gb or larger?

I have a laptop. My country doesn't have apple stores. And I also have a USB. But I didn't forget my password, it just doesn't work.

 

[Fishrrman]

Here's what I suggest:

1. Boot to the recovery partition
2. Connect the USB flashdrive
3. Open Disk Utility
4. ERASE the flashdrive to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled (HFS+)
5. Quit Disk Utility and open the OS installer
6. "Aim" the OS installer at the flashdrive (NOT at the internal drive)
7. See if the installer will install a copy of the OS onto the flashdrive.
8. If this works, you should see a setup screen (for the flashdrive NOT for the internal drive)
9. Set up the flashdrive with a simple user account
10. You now have a way to boot the Mac "to the finder" without using the internal drive.
11. Now it should be possible to get stuff off of the internal drive that you need to keep. Put this stuff on an external drive.

Now -- booted from the flashdrive -- you can ERASE the internal drive and "start over".

 

[Fluffy025]

Here's what I suggest:

1. Boot to the recovery partition
2. Connect the USB flashdrive
3. Open Disk Utility
4. ERASE the flashdrive to Mac OS extended with journaling enabled (HFS+)
5. Quit Disk Utility and open the OS installer
6. "Aim" the OS installer at the flashdrive (NOT at the internal drive)
7. See if the installer will install a copy of the OS onto the flashdrive.
8. If this works, you should see a setup screen (for the flashdrive NOT for the internal drive)
9. Set up the flashdrive with a simple user account
10. You now have a way to boot the Mac "to the finder" without using the internal drive.
11. Now it should be possible to get stuff off of the internal drive that you need to keep. Put this stuff on an external drive.

Now -- booted from the flashdrive -- you can ERASE the internal drive and "start over".

Thanks, I'll see what I can do

 

[toru173]

Thanks, I'll see what I can do

It could be interesting to see if you still have user accounts on there at all. Fishrrman outlined the procedure to create a working macOS installation, but it may be easiest to erase and reinstall from your backup!