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General discussion

Keychain Access: Friend or Foe?

Feb 13, 2007 10:08AM PST

Here's the problem:

I have a friend with an Apple Powerbook G4. When she opens her email program(Eudora Pro 6 for Mac), it attempts to connect to her POP mail server as would be expected. However, at this point in time an OS feature called Keychain Access pops up a window asking for a password. If she types in the correct POP server password, the Keychain window throws up an error message saying that she typed an invalid password. Her Eudora program is then not allowed to connect to the server, but, if she types in the correct Keychain password, the Keychain security feature then allows her program to connect, ...but only using the Keychain password, ...which the POP server doesn't recognize. As a result, she can send but not receive email. In order to "force" a connection, we have to go into her Keychain security settings and change the Keychain password so that it's the same as the one recognized by her POP server. As soon as we change it, Eudora instantly connects and she gets her email. Unfortunately, The Keychain settings 'Change Password' window "Always Allow" button is grayed out so we can only choose the "Allow Only Once" button. Therefore, the change only lasts for as long as the computer remains on. As soon as she reboots, Keychain Access defaults back to it's old password and we have to go through the whole settings process anew. This problem first occured when she changed her Powerbook loggin password, ...that new password change was successful.

Does anyone on this forum have any ideas on why Keychain Access doesn't work or know how to disable it?

Thanks,
Trublu

Discussion is locked

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Keychain Access
Feb 13, 2007 8:58PM PST

You can get this effect when the password for that users account has been changed at some time. The users password, the one used when installing software, should be the same as the Keychain Access password. If it is, then everything to do with the Keychain is transparent because the Keychain gets unlocked when you log in but, if it is not, then the system will ask you if you have permission to access the Keychain. It gets annoying.

Go to the Finder and Help, type in Keychain Access and you will find directions on how to change the password and eliminate this problem.

Hope this helps

P

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Thanks!
Feb 14, 2007 8:20AM PST

I appreciate your help! I was unaware that the Keycahain default password is the same as the user account password. I'll help my friend restore her original setup password.

>Trublu

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(NT) You're Welcome
Feb 14, 2007 9:27AM PST