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When I try console login, my Mac freezes. Nothing happens visually: no switch to a black window, no spinning loading indicator in the ‘Password’ field; nothing. The only thing I can still do is press the [Power] button until the Mac force shuts down.

I already reinstalled the OS tons, and the machine ever did this as far as I know. I tried to do it before configuring the OS, after etc; nothing worked so far.

Login settings Mac froze

I found on the Internet that other people had that problem, but the posts are old and no one ever answered to help.

What can I do? Thanks.

Note: That Mac went under OS X Yosemite, but I downgraded since. I can't recall if I tried to login into console before first installing OS X Yosemite. I hope it's not due to this, because I won't update this working machine no more.

Hardware Overview:

  • Model Name: MacBook Pro [Retina, 15in, late 2013]
  • Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,3
  • Boot ROM Version: MBP112.0138.B16
  • SMC Version (system): 2.19f12

System Software Overview:

  • System Version: OS X 10.9.5 (13F1808)
  • Kernel Version: Darwin 13.4.0
  • Boot Mode: Normal
  • Secure Virtual Memory: Enabled
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    Sometimes FileVault causes this problem. If you have enabled it please try to log in with disabled FileVault. For me it looks like a kernel extension during startup. Boot into Recovery (CMD + R) or Safe boot (press Shift-key during start up) and open the Terminal. Type: pkgutil --pkgs | grep -v com.apple. You get a list of third party kernel extensions (if you have). Try do disable or temporary remove it.
    – dante12
    Commented Jun 4, 2016 at 8:04
  • @dante12 Interesting. FileVault has never been enabled on that Mac, but I didn't think about kernel extensions… I first thought it was due to the downgrade from OS X Yosemite, since I guess there could've been an error with a kernel update. I'll try that and tell you back.
    – user2189
    Commented Jun 4, 2016 at 8:07
  • @dante12 In Recovery's terminal, pkgutil --pkgs | grep -v com.apple returns nothing. :/ The same command in Safe boot, however, returns quite a list. I try to disable 'em all, and give you feedback right after.
    – user2189
    Commented Jun 4, 2016 at 8:14
  • @dante12 OK matey, I listed third-party kexts with your command in Safe boot mode. Most of those shown weren't unloadable, so I ran the exact same command, replacing pkgutil --pkgs with kextstat, which only shown one kext (from BlackBerry). I disabled that one BlackBerry's kext with sudo kextunload -b { kext identifier }, logged out and tried to login as >console [still in Safe boot mode], which worked. A reboot later, console login still freezes the Mac, and I have no clue about what keeps doing this. :/
    – user2189
    Commented Jun 4, 2016 at 8:34
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    1. unplug the power for several seconds.and plug it back in. 2. shut down your mac and remove and reinsert the battery (if removable). 3, Restart your mac. 4. During start up hold down the keys CMD + Option + P + R, hold down the keys until you hear the second sound. 5. Restart and test. If not works doing the next steps: Boot into recovery (CMD + R) during startup and repair the system drive with disk utility. 6, At last option check for Hardware issues. Restart your mac and hold the D - Key down, This will boot into diagnostic enviroment and check for any problems.
    – dante12
    Commented Jun 4, 2016 at 11:37

1 Answer 1

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Too long; won't read: Set the Retina resolution as 'Best (Retina)' or below to fix console login crashing and freezing issue.

On my Retina 15in late 2013 MacBook Pro running OS X 10.9.5 Mavericks, the Retina causes console login to crash [if you changed Retina settings to above 'Best (Retina)', logout then console log back in] or crash with a kernel panic [if you changed Retina settings above 'Best (Retina)', reboot then console login].

This explains why Safe mode is unaffected by that bug, as Retina settings are reverted back to original ones.

System preferences: Display: Resolution: Scaled: More Space

Unless a fix rolls out, the best to do to fix that problem is to set Retina preferences as 'Best (Retina)' maximum; below, console login will work flawlessly and above, console login will crash or freeze [following if you logged out the console logged back in or reboot the machine, respectively].

Note that if you were in any setting above 'Best (Retina)', the Mac must be reboot to stop the console login from crashing or freezing.

Too long; didn't read: Set the Retina resolution as 'Best (Retina)' or below to fix console login crashing and freezing issue.

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