Mac freezes when logging in as >console [logging in to terminal directly without launching the GUI] 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.




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
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.



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.