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Hard drive full, lost login ability

I have a 2015 iMac, OS Sierra 10.12.6.

The hard disk is full. While deleting files/photos, I lost the apps. Get a message that says ‘You cannot open Word/Excel/Safari/Photos etc. because is may be damaged or incomplete.’

I tried to re-install OS via recovery, but it just stopped. Then I lost user login and password doesn’t work. I cannot login to further delete files to make space for reinstall. My last external back up was Feb.-Time Machine quit working. Trying to avoid erasing the HD so I can preserve some pics/files and then get a new computer. And no-I don’t have icloud back up. Does anyone have experience with this/suggestions for a solution? I’d sure appreciate it. (PS-already tried Apple tech support, and a 3rd party service-who wouldn’t help b/c the login isn’t working).

iMac

Posted on Sep 26, 2022 5:16 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 27, 2022 9:41 AM

I see 4 possibilities...

  1. get an external drive & try to reinstall the OS to that drive.

 Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Command (⌘)-R

Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.


Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.


Shift-Option-⌘-R

Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.


2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk

If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.

3. Install macOS

After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:

  1. Choose Reinstall macOS (or Reinstall OS X) from the Utilities window.
  2. Click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to choose your disk and begin installation.
  3. If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. If it doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk


  1. Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.



If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4

If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:

  • Command-R is still the recommended way to start up from macOS Recovery. This combination makes sure that the installation isn't associated with your Apple ID, which is important if you're selling or giving away your Mac.
  • Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
  • Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
  1. How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support 
  2. Safe Boot hoping that fixes things enough to get in & clear more space.
  3. Tricky Terminal commands if CM-r+r on bootup works.
  4. Target Disk Mode if you have another Mac

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support


Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 27, 2022 9:41 AM in response to TiredMom777

I see 4 possibilities...

  1. get an external drive & try to reinstall the OS to that drive.

 Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following combinations on your keyboard. Command-R is generally recommended, especially if you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later… How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Command (⌘)-R

Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.


Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.


Shift-Option-⌘-R

Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.


2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk

If you need to erase your disk before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling or giving away your Mac or have an issue that requires you to erase. Learn more about when and how to erase.

3. Install macOS

After starting up from macOS Recovery, follow these steps to install macOS:

  1. Choose Reinstall macOS (or Reinstall OS X) from the Utilities window.
  2. Click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to choose your disk and begin installation.
  3. If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac. If it doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk


  1. Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.



If you never installed macOS Sierra 10.12.4

If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:

  • Command-R is still the recommended way to start up from macOS Recovery. This combination makes sure that the installation isn't associated with your Apple ID, which is important if you're selling or giving away your Mac.
  • Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
  • Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
  1. How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support 
  2. Safe Boot hoping that fixes things enough to get in & clear more space.
  3. Tricky Terminal commands if CM-r+r on bootup works.
  4. Target Disk Mode if you have another Mac

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support


Sep 27, 2022 9:35 AM in response to TiredMom777

Sorry for the problems you are having. First, you need to know that iCloud is NOT a backup service. While it does have some backup features, it is designed for and used for cross platform sharing. I think you are going to have to erase your disk and reinstall the OS. If you do have an old Time Machine backup that will help you restore some data. Once you do get up and running then you need to ensure that Time Machine is up and running correctly so this doesn't happen again.

Hard drive full, lost login ability

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