April 23, 2007 9:00 AM PDT

Security Update 2007-004 (#3): Problems logging in, QuickTime components may be to blame

by CNET staff

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Problems logging in (cont.) We continue to report on an issue where after installation of Security Update 2007-004, users experience an inability login to certain, or all user accounts.

The problem may be typified by a "looping" situation where the user enters a login name and password then presses return, only to be presented with the same login window over and over.

The problem may also manifest as a display of the single user mode login prompt ("Welcome to Darwin") with the error message username:/dev/console: Operation not supported by device.

More fixes

Delete QuickTime components It appears that certain third-party QuickTime components may be interfering with login on systems that have received Security Update 2007-2004. If you have installed EyeTV or another application that places DivX QuickTime components on your system, you may want to try removing the files via one of the following routines:

1. Startup from an alternate boot volume, such as an external FireWire drive, or use another Mac to boot the problematic system in FireWire target disk mode (connect the two machines via a FireWire cable, and boot the target [problematic] system while holding down the "T" key), then navigate to the /Library/QuickTime on the problematic volume, and drag the following files to the trash:

DivX 6 Decoder.component

DivX Decoder.component

DivX Encoder.component

EyeTV MPEG Support.component

3ivx D4 4.5.1 for OSX

2. If you are forced into single-user mode (a text-based interface) after applying Security Update 2007-004, and don't have access to a separate startup volume, you can use the following commands at the single-user prompt to delete these files:
rm -rf "/Library/QuickTime/DivX 6 Decoder.component" rm -rf "/Library/QuickTime/DivX Decoder.component" rm -rf "/Library/QuickTime/DivX Encoder.component" rm -rf "/Library/QuickTime/EyeTV MPEG Support.component" rm -rf "/Library/QuickTime/3ivx D4 4.5.1 for OSX"
Try restarting and check for normal login after removing these files.

You may also want to temporarily other third-party QuickTime components you find in the /Library/QuickTime/ directory.

Re-install update from a separate volume Some users have been able to resolve an inability to boot by re-applying Security Update 2007-004 for an alternate startup drive, via these steps:

Download and save the appropriate copy of Security Update 2007-004 from Apple's download page but do not run the installer

Startup from an alternate boot volume, such as an external FireWire drive, or use another Mac to boot the problematic system in FireWire target disk mode (connect the two machines via a FireWire cable, and boot the target [problematic] system while holding down the "T" key)

Once booted from an alternate drive, select the problematic volume in the Finder, and "Get Info" -- either by pressing the Command-I keyboard combination or accessing the "Get Info" option in the File menu. Check the box marked "Ignore ownership permissions on this volume."

Run the Security Update 2007-004 installer, selecting the original, problematic startup volume as the destination.

Re-attempt booting from the problematic volume (hold down the option key at startup to select the desired drive)

One MacFixIt reader who had success with this workaround writes:

"After installing the Security Update 2007-004 (#2) all I got was the Darwin login and password interface. Running disk utility or the latest DiskWarrior did not help. My solution (after some 3 days of trouble shooting, since I did not want to reinstall a clean system!) was to run and reinstall the updater as a downloaded file from another computer (G4 in this case) while my 'problematic' Powermac G5 quad was booted with Command-T and connected with firewire."