Troubleshooting iDisk authentication or login errors

Resolution

Authentication or login errors are often caused by incorrect settings in System Preferences. To check the settings:

Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.3

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Select the .Mac pane.
3. Delete the username and password and re-enter the correct settings. If you have subscribed to multiple accounts, be sure to enter information for the correct account.

Mac OS X 10.1 and 10.2

1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Select the Internet pane.
3. Click the .Macor iTools tab.
4. Delete the username and password and re-enter the correct settings. If you have subscribed to multiple accounts, be sure to enter information for the correct account.

If, after checking the settings in System Preferences, you still experience authentication errors, there may be a conflicting or damaged entry in your Keychain.

1. Open Keychain Access. It's in the Utilities folder (/Applications/Utilities).
2. Delete all items whose kind is ".Mac password".
3. Open System Preferences and re-enter your account information as described above.

If you still experience authentication errors and you know your username and password are good, the whole Keychain file may be damaged. Try repairing the Keychain file. Instructions are located here for Mac OS X 10.4.x, here for Mac OS X 10.3.x or here for Mac OS X 10.1 through 10.2.8.

If you have repaired the file and still experience authentication errors, try removing the Keychain file and creating a new one. This procedure will delete all items in your Keychain. If this procedure does not resolve the issue, you can always restore the file by moving it back to its original location.

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
2. From the Go menu, choose Go to Folder.
3. Type: ~/Library/Keychains/ and click Go.
4. Drag the Keychain file to the Desktop.
5. Open Keychain Access, which creates a new Keychain file.
6. Open System Preferences and re-enter your account information as described above.