I have an imac gs command and s do not work during start up it runs 9.2, and i dont have the cds, i have upgraded the ram sdram already from 128 to 300 something now so i can run 10.4 but i need to get rid of the administrative passwrod first, so what should i do is there a different way for this to occur????? help please!!!!!!!

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

I tried this command also, using "command + s" while booting and it's true...thanks to this forum.

to all,
i need help, the password in admin is already reset,but now i want to install application like zip extractor and the file extention is .zip and where i associate the file? I tried many times but no one can open the file, only the update application should be installed on my ibook.

i trie the Josearanda cmd-S thingie except i can'T get as / in there... the keyboard keys are messed up in that mode

i did what u guys said about adding a new user it worked find but it wont let me delete the first user....or how do completely erase the hard drive with out the disc is that posssible

It seems like the advice your giving isn't accurate, in order to restart the Mac Os X Tiger installation, you MUST enter the administrator password, which, of course we do not know, othewise we wouldn't be on your website right now!
Thansk a lot for your tip !

We have laptops at our school with Mac osx 10.4.9. It has high security on it although I would like to reset the admin password so I can unlock the I-Sight to record my band practicing and concerts. If you could please help me out, I am downloading a osx Cd just for admin reset only but from what I've read it might not work. It is an I-book 2006 may you please help me out?

Thanks Matt

Johnathan Eastman

"There is no password" = spoon

"always..." = remember (??)

Restart your machine while holding down the Command Key (or "Apple Key") and the "S" key. This will start your Mac up in "Single User Mode."

Now it's command line time.** Don't worry, it's just three lines:

#sh /etc/rc
#passwd yourusername
#reboot

If your system stops responding after the first command (sh /etc/rc) just press enter and carry on with the second command

i'd like to know what it means to hold down the main power on the unit and not the keyboard,the unit stands for which part.thx

Hi all, ive been reading a lot of methods in the last 3 days because y run al PC computer repair shop and someone got me a macbook and they dont know the password so i read about the COMMAND+S method and did not work for the computer and i called a cousin who works with macs for help she told me had the same problem but the methods above did not worked either so y read a lot more and discover she had version 10.3 and i found someone named Baxter wrote this..
Reboot and press command + s

EXCLUDE THE QUOTATION MARKS, but make sure to type in the spaces.

First type in: “/sbin/fsck -y��?

Followed by: “/sbin/mount -uw /��?

Then, type in:

“/usr/libexec/register_mach_bootstrap_servers /etc/mach_init.d��?

Next: “cd /var/db/netinfo��?

Then: “netinfod -s local��?

Followed by: “SystemStarter��?

Finally, type: “passwd root��?

You’ll be asked to come up with a new password. If you want to change a login’s password, substitute ‘root’ with the username.

After that, type “reboot��?

Remember, to EXCLUDE the quotations marks, but type in all the junk inbetween –even the spaces!
this worked for mac os x 10.3

my probles is i dont know a lot about macs and command + s just dont work on this macbook any sugestions would be appreciated

hi, i do have powerbook g4 and i do have mac ox s 10.4 tiger but i can't reset the admistrative password. my dvd rom is not working that's why c key is not useable. it's goes all the time on adminstrative username and password. please help me here. i am from South africa and not a lot of help is available regarding mac system
pl pl help me and givem me some help
thanks in advance.
hussain

Uhm, I was sittin around and i put a disc into my mac and it doesnt read it and on top of that it won't eject what do i do

ok i done the new user thing and i deleted the admin..now i didnt fully delete him i made an image of what the user had on his account. So how do i crack that password?

I have a similar - but NOT similar - problem. I just installed leopard, and now my admin password doesn't work. I reset it via the CD over and over again, and the system still won't unlock for me, so I cannot make any substantive changes. Also cannot create a new user. Tried logging out and in, no luck. Any thoughts? If someone posts, please email me as well.

Thanks!

I have a G4 with no password . I have tried JoseAranda method but it gives me the following messages.
singleuser boot --fsck not done
root device is mounted read-only
if you want to make modification to files ,
run '/sbin/fsck -y' first and then '/sbin/mount -uw //'
local host :/root#

Then nothing happens and keyboard won't allow me to type anything.
Another Question Will I I be able to install the OS X that came with my Imac on this G4.
Thanks
Pablo

Same thing for me Eric. I switched to Mac two years ago and it's been smooth sailing. Now I upgrade to Leopard and I have spent hours trying to figure out why I can't add a certain printer driver, add software. All because it's asking for a admin password and it won't take it. Uggggg

Brad.

i have a emac running panther and reset the admin pword as per joseArandas method, worked fine, setup new accoung etc. switched the computer off, then next day went back to continue my assignment and im getting the blue screen when starting up, ive tried various methods including the same one from josearanda again, however it says that the .applesetupdone doesnt exist!

I have tried the following steps:
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

When it then rebooted, I get a screen with an apple in the middle and some groovy music. Then the music fades out and it doesn't do a darn thing. No response from the keyboard, no response from the mouse...nothing. Any thoughts? This is my client's wife's computer. One day when she went to use it, it asked her for a username and password at bootup and it had never done that before. She tried EVERYTHING she could think of and got nowhere. Before I tried the above steps, at least I would see the username password field, now nothing. Help is appreciated, thanks. If someone actually has the answer, I'd be willing to send a little paypal your way. I'd like to get this taken care of for my client. Thanks.

TRYING TO CONNECT MY MACBOOK PRO WITH A DESKTOP G4 VIA 'CONNECT TO SERVER' LINKAGE. Acquaintance showed me how to do this when he was fixing my computer. He must have set the 'server' entry to a password, but I cannot recall it. Now I cannot connect to server. If I go with name, it asks for password. If I go with guest, it doesn't allow me to view any transferred files (says I don't have authority to view them). IS THERE A WAY TO RETRIEVE THE PASSWORD OF 'Connect to Server'? I've already tried my administrative password, but it doesn't work. I've tried checking my Keychain, but it's not listed in there. I've tried every old password I can remember, but no ...... CAN ANY ONE TELL ME HOW TO RESET THE PASSWORD THAT CONNECTS TO SERVER?

I have a PowerBook G4 with Mac OS X 10.3.9. My power adapter died on me like a month ago, and I tried to fix it 100 times, but with no sucess. When I bought new one 3 days ago, a realised i forgot my admin (mine) password. My brother has his acc, but it's not of much use to me. I trided to press S at the beginig but there is no effect, it regulary brings up login window and I can't change anything from this other acc without admin password. please help me...

I forgot to mention that the Time and Date are complitely messed up on the other acc, and also some applications are not working proprerly.

i just used jose's method, and now i am getting the circle with a line through it. What should i do?

Just follow the above commands. Do it over and over and you'll get it right. It took me about 10 times until I got it. It Works! just stick with it. Thank you all sooooo very much!

i have the same problem as bobby does. it does not even turn on, it goes straight to a circle with a slash through it. need help

Thanks soooooo much! Jose's method worked. REMEMBER THERE IS A SPACE AFTER "rm"

This worked great i have a new user and im the new owner of the macbook. Now how do i remove the old user? Not realy needed im installing leopard 10.5 hopefully but just curious..

Thanks for everything EVERY post was beneficial.

P.S. I couldnt install anything because i didnt have the password which is why i used Joses method

I am too locked out of my admin password and for the life of me I can't find the first disk of my install. So I tried your suggestion:

I restarted the computer by holding down Command-S

When It finishes, it does not give me the chance to type a command, because it is asking for a password right there. I can't get past it. After three tries if reboots the computer again. How do I get past this password, is there a default system password that it is expecting???

cmd and s does not work for os 9 help

I have a shcool mac book, u dont need admin acsees to install programs, ok , download a program ctrl click it go to show package contense, go to info.plist open it with text edit hit apple+f
to find type the key word ''ident'' then right under it it should say com.example.program name (example: com.apple.itunes)

ok so change whatever is there to com.apple.calculator

then find a folder on the mac hd were you can read and write place it in the folder and open the program up

wala! poof its magic!

i tryed the mac install disak did every thing
it will not let me change admin password help please

Ok here is the problem, I did the reset password thing and I lost all my network configuration..now is there a way to restore the previous files so I can write them down so I can know them and then change the password...I think this is called restoring? anyone help please I can not connect to the internet

When I enter Single User Mode it asks for a password. None of the keys on my ibook work here except for "enter."(I can log in as a standard account and the keys work.) I have tried a usb Mac keyboard and got the same results. I have also tried resetting the pram and clearing the nvram without success. Any ideas on what's going on?

the password dosent show up, its not supose to, type the pass and hit enter

This may help some peopleJust figured it out after many hours of playing with it. Leopard reset a friends admin username and password when he upgraded. Nothing would work and for some reason we couldnt boot from the installer to get into utilities. We tried everything apple c,s, apple option o-f. Nothing.

It turns out my friend managed to set the open firmare password without realising its implications. Due to that, it wasnt possible to boot into single user mode with command-s. 

It seems to be a problem with some macs that when people upgrade to leopard it resets their admin username and password. Because it does this you have no access to anything.

To access the open firmware password screen, you have to reboot holding down the Alt (option) key.  Then type your password, you will be able to access the leopard disk then, where you go to utilities to reset your admin information.

Hope this helps some poor unfortunate

jose's method really work!
btw i'm using mac and what software u guys use to watch movie?
some file can't open when i use vlc,any comment please
thx

The code below worked for me a treat. After months of trying to get restrictions moved so that I could use the mac book pro G4 to its full capability. I used the instructions below and set up another account where I could put in my personal settings.

Thanks a bunch. Merry Xmas

for all of you commenting "sudo passwd root". This is not a true *nix authentication system. What I mean is the login application does not authenticate against /etc/passwd or /etc/shadow. It uses the NETINFO DB. So, "passwd will not work" it will just change the password in /etc/shadow and give the user 2 passwords in two different locations!!!!! you could also just rename the old applesetupdone file instead of removing it. So that upon boot if it does not work for whatever reason, you can at lease rename it back.

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.orig[Enter]
reboot [Enter]

and when you boot backup just change the other admins password to something new and reboot and login as that user. After which it might be best to remove the new admin account.

Posted by: comonpeople at May 23, 2007 12:39 AM

I'm new to this site That being said, I have a big problem. I recently bought several imac g3's that won't boot up past the osX {unknown version} admin login window. They are snow dv 600 & 500 mhz, grafites 500 mhz and rubies 450 mhz {if it makes a difference}.

HERE IS WHAT I'VE TRIED WITH NO SUCCESS:

1. Pressing the "C" at startup with osx
v 10.2 and v 10.3.5. install cd's.
2. Pressing control-S
2. Holding down the start button for 5 to 10
seconds and pressing it again.

If anybody can help me out I would really welcome it. Thanks

Hello, my dad's old roommate let me borrow his mac osx even though he didn't know his password and he's given me leeway to find a way to get into it without messing up his own files...
i tried this, but the trouble i think is, is that i changed his user password but then i went on to change the system admin Root password as well.
so now the computer turns on and sits there with it's loading bar screen, and won't startup.. any ideas??? please?

I recently bought a used G4 for my son and have the same problem with the password. We havent tried the suggestions yet because we arent using a Apple keyboard so I dont know what COMMAND S is. Does that correlate to something on a standard keyboard??

Hi there Im an owner of an Ibook G3 with MAC OS 10.2.8 ( jaguar.) I recently just purchased new software off ebay to update my computer ( i bought panther and tiger.)

When I first tried downloading panther it says I needed my password, wahoo.

I tried following JoseAranda's post from September 9, 2006 but whenever I restart my ibook and I hold down the apple key and s NOTHING happens.

Suggestions plealse?

I have the same problem as Ritchie above. I have an Apple iMac indigo, but it doesn't have an apple keyboard so I'm having issues figuring out what the command key is. Please help!

I recently bought an Apple iMac G3 indigo at a moving sale and can't even use it. I have never used a Mac and don't know where to begin. As soon as it starts up it goes to 2 user names (no guest account) and you have to enter a password. The problem is I wasn't given any passwords or disks or keyboard for that matter. I tried previous post solutions on here to no end. I don't have an apple keyboard, so the command key is drawing a blank with me. Does anyone have any suggestions? Please help, my kids would like to use the computer.

I recieved a new macbook and the person that gave it to me forgot there password tried the OS installation but only recieved a blank screen, how can I get the password reset for the main administrator?

Hi,
I am trying to do an OS update from 10.38--> 10.4
I put in the CD and it keeps popping out?
What can the problem be?

When you click restart you have to authenticate it with your password....

I just purchased a OS x with Leopard operating system. It is rejecting my administrator password (I'm sure it is correct!). When I follow the instructions to reset the password using the install disc it gives me the message "The password you entered has not been saved for the user system administrator (root). You may not have permission to edit this disc or a general failure has occured.
Please help with ideas as I cannot install any updates or new programs.

I followed the suggestion for resetting passwords using the OSX
Install Disk. I changed all of the passwords inclusding the root.
I now have a new account labeled "other." I lost all of my settings and files. Found them in backup but all of my mail and so on are now gone...Help?

Thanks!!

Hi

Really this forum is very use-full for MAC users.

Thanks
M. Sridhar

Hi, I have the mac os X install CD (tiger) and I do everything you said to do. The part with the picture and the Restart button is where my problem occurs. I click on REstart and it asks for the password that I have yet to reset, someone help please..

Hey, I got a flashing question mark on this system my uncle gave me and learnt it was as a result of an openfrimware password on it. I reset it by using an additional DIMM and it's now bootin to the log-on screen. I dont have the admin password and it wont boot from CD/DVD by pressing C. I also tried the command-S too but didn't work. What can i do?
Very much thanks

My school purchased several Macbooks last year and upon graduation they allowed the students to purchase it for reduced fees, it came with an instruction sheet on how to unblock all the programs they disabled, but i've lost the sheet and cant find it, i try'ed the command-s method but nothing happens they've blocked that as well, i cant download anything, cant afford to buy any cd's for the thing, and i don't know what to do, i'd thank you greatly for some advice on this matter.

I have the same experience as alex. So this reccomendation does not seem to work im our case. What to DO??

hi dave,I have the same problem as lissa posted on 13th 2008 please help? p.s i am not very good on computers

i have a mac book g4 and i have no password no disk and tried rebooting it while pressing command s and tere is nothing that happens the sign in scrren appears again ..... hwta is there to do ...... i dont have any other ideas....

I HAD THE HARDEST TIME RESETING MY PASSWORD... SO HOPEFULLY THIS SOLVES ALL PROBLEMS ABOVE.

I have a new Mac book
Was OS 10.4
Now OS 10.5

This following method does work
-Shutdown your computer
-Power you our computer, and hit the Apple Key and "S" until text appears on the screen.
-There will be a black screen with text, and at the bottom you will see "something something" root
-Enter the text below....
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

in the 3rd line, MAKE SURE THERE IS A SPACE BETWEEN RM AND THE SLASH... so "rm [SPACE] /var/db/.applesetupdone" this was I couldn't make any changes and it couldn't find the file...

hopefully this helps.

Alloc-mem request too big when I type in mac-boot so computer won't start don't know what to do???

For whatever reason, I couldn't remember the Admin login or password. Reformatting would have been a solution however I never setup Time Machine and wanted to lose as little info as possible.

Using the disk, I had the same ironic problems as others, it wanted the Admin to restart... to reset the Admin!

After many attempts and reading that you have to put a space after "rm" in JoseAranda's solution, I finally got it working.

Thank you for helping with the Admin reset.

I now have an Admin account that I should remember and can use Time Machine for the first time! Doc Brown would be proud.

I was ready to buy a mac os X CD, but i was continuing readding, and i found this with out the CD to reset de admin possword,

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

thakns!!!

OK this is the best resource that I've came across. I even got to delete other peoples accounts that they tried to set up and lost their password. Now I only have one password and no one can go on my laptop.

I tried the whole I have an iBook G4 and it refuses to use fsck -y so i used fsck -f
and followed the other steps. Now i can't log on, it takes me to the setup page and does go beyond the keyboard settings page when it switches on

help me /// I was fooling around w/ security preferences in the get info dialog of the MACINTOSH HD and somehow set it to no access or something of the sort. My mac will not boot now, since its not allowed to use the drive. school projects due monday, need help / used CD, to reset permissions w/ disk utility, didn't work /

i have an imac that i brouht on greg list in the box but i find out it was not that persons now am afraid to use it is there any way around that my brother tells me take it as a lost becouse it is tracsable is ther any way to reboot it and make it mine

Id like to thank JoseAranda for his tutorial:
restart your computer, hold down Command-S and type in the following:

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

I have a don't ask, don't tell policy when i FIX a computer and when I got iMAC G5 (10.0 X) it had several users with passwords on them. I am not to familiar with MAC's, but I know these were "network" logins not locals logins. this works awsome

I bought Imac desktop and Im tring to install Tiger OS sofware and when I try to install it .. I click on the restart but before I can restart it asks me for an Admin password... I tried to create a new account but it wont let me because I need th password to unlock .... what do I do please help

After a lot of tooling around on my G5, I figured out how to do this without the boot disk (provided you can boot, that is)

Do the following:

- shut down
- power up with the and s keys held down
you can let go when you see the text messages scrolling by
- at the command prompt, do the following:

/sbin/fsck -fy (takes a long time, but tells you what its doing)
/sbin/mount -uw /
/sbin/passwd root

Enter in a new password. Enter it in again.

Then type: reboot

I saw some people use the command SystemStarter. This will not work. Also note that the fsck command requires the -f in there to work as well.

Done. :) I now have r00t!!

oops I put the COMMAND key in angle brackets... edit what I said to say this:

power up with the COMMAND and S keys held down

This works on power mac also. Not so much on the G4 with older versions of OSX, 'cos the commands are slightly different.

Hi, i have a macbook. I cant make any changes from modifying my Hardrive to installing new software. It asks me to type in a Administrative user Name and password and i type my ONLY account in and it says it isnt. Then upon going to accounts in System Preferences, it says my ONLY account is a standard acccount and not a administrative. How do I fix this?

i did everything to reset my password, went through the opening and then reloaded but now all i get is a blue screen. help please

my mac g4 every time i restart a black screen with computer name ask for root# where & how to find or enter what #

thanks fa

I want to tell all the people that are unable to reset password if the Darwin Security firmware is enabled. This goes completely agains my will but I do understand the situation.

How to by pass the Admin:

I don't care who you are and everything you try here, with all due respect to Dave, None of it is going to work.

The only thing that will work and I guarantee that it will, Please follow these steps:

1. get an exact macbook from friend with an unlock firmware admin.

2. Make sure that your friend has Admin rights

3. take his hardrive and put it in your mac

4. check if it boots

assuming it will.

5. Clone the Hardrive any way you can (I'm not giving this tip since it's illegal).

6. Give back your friend his hardrive or put the clone on his machine and do a CD install by pressing "C" With Desire OS.

7. You got your MAC Back.

i have a g4 and don't know the admin password- don't need it to start up, just need it when installing- so i tried the solution below, and it created a new acct, but now i can't open the default account bec. it's password protected now, whereas before it was the default acct that opened automatically- all my stuff is still on that! how can i unmake a new account- in other words, how can i reverse the code below so that the admin acct. is the only one and i don't have to use a password to access it?

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

hello! jose aranda method works great, but my computer told me to do it that way:

/sbin/fsck -f [Enter] (not "y" like in original)
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

It would let u added and configure new account

Peace!

I've followed this to the reset disk option. I have two destinations to choose from.

Dest 1: The install CD

Dest 2: The main disk, but it will not allow me to reset the password, everything is greyed out :(

Help would be much appreciated! Thank you for a great article!

I need serious help, ive been trying to figure out my user name and password then after 2 months or so I decided to try it again, so I tryed the jose aranda theory and it rebooted but after I enter my resigtration info, I click continue and it goes to a gray background with a white square in the middle but it won't go any further. I'm getting annoyed n I just want to know what I can do to bypass this so I can get onto my computer without anymore hassles. Please help me out and tell me what I can do, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi Dave!

I have a question about my Mac G4 powerbook with OS X.
Last week I noticed my wallpaper was missing so I decided to shut down my computer for the day(I generally put it to sleep). It had been freezing a lot and acting funky.

When I turned it on the screen started up with the usual "loading Mac OS X" bar and then a prompt popped up asking for a name and password.

This is not the usual user name screen that pops up after OS X loads. None of the user names or passwords worked, not even the administrator.

Above this little password prompt has my computer's name and when you click that it cycles through the serial number, OS X and then it says "user's not available" with a little red dot in front of it.

Can you help me?? I would love to buy you a soy chai for your efforts (as I too enjoy soy chai's!)

Many Thanks!
Danielle

Danielle, that's a weird one. I have no idea what's going on and suggest that you might make an appointment and take it in to the Genius at the local Apple Store to see if they can figure it out. Do come back and let us know what's going on if you can?

I have a mac book pro and I don't know the pass word can anyone help me I had tried - shut down
- power up with the and s keys held down
you can let go when you see the text messages scrolling by
- at the command prompt, do the following:

/sbin/fsck -fy (takes a long time, but tells you what its doing)
/sbin/mount -uw /
/sbin/passwd root

Enter in a new password. Enter it in again.
I can reset that password can anyone help me please please

ok.. i know how to re image a computer.

so turn it off
then turn it back on
when the apple comes up hold the h key
now a planet will come up instead of the apple
keep on holding the h key
and then choose leopard in the re image
then restart again!

i dont know how to reset my password for the apple laptop (powerbook g4) need good help

why my mac power G5 reset all programs to original settings, I lost a lot of work done, what can I do to prevent it in the future?
Thanks

Hi there, Dave!

My problem is this; my Installer.app failed to open .pkg files, so I tried using a different program instead, which worked perfectly - until I tried to open up a package file; Admin Password Required.
So I went to my Dad (it's his computer), and asked what the admin password was. Apparently, he'd changed it and forgot what it was since he hadnt used it for quite some time. What to do, I thought.
Well, I'll browse the Internet, of course! And I found this guide, which helped me reset the password, but in doing so erased the Admin Profile (when I went back to try to reset again it said no profiles were found in my harddrive). So, in a state of slight panic, i kept on reading here.
Found my resolve, used the cmd-S method, successfully booted up the moviesequence that welcomes you, filled in the first stages but then... Right after the page where you fill in what you'll use yur computer for and all that, it turns the page only to show a blank page with a black stripe in the middle.
I checked, and it hasn't froze. It just doesn't make any progress. Just sits there, no loading icon or anything.
And it's reaaally annoying since it says it's about the final step of it all...
It's driving me nuts.

Help meh, oh mighty one! :x

Cheers //Axel

"I'd show this menu as a screenshot here, but can't figure out how to get a screenshot of the install process. Sorry!"

Use a digital camera, :-)

PS: Your answer is very helpful!

I have installed the Install Disc One to reinstall the software. I hold the C key down while restarting the computer and during restart, it fails and tells me I need to restart. It will not allow me access to the Installer menu. Is there anything I can do to correct this?

Hello,

I did this:

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

...and now I can't get to the login page at all. I'm stuck at the "Starting Mac OS X" screen. Help, anyone?

The excellent solution by JoseAranda reposted below...only to say I have just used it - Aug 16th 2008. Worked like a dream. Fabulous! Thank you very very much :)

***

Please, come on now, all you need is nothing: OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-S and type in the following:

/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]

Once you've done that the computer reboots and ask you to set up an admin password. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!

So who said you needed a CD?
Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM

i'm trying to do what josearanda says but it's not working how do you do it again please somebody help me

Ok I have tried everything on here and nothing works... everytime the new registration starts up it freezes right after it asks me what i will be using my mac for (after the name address all of that part) I also have the CD and can't make it boot of the CD... i am really desperate anyone your help is much appreciated! thanks

i have an brand new apple macbook and need a way to bypass administrative rights, or reset the account. How can i do so?

i was able to change the password but now how do i completely delete the previous owners file(restore)... keep in mind that i dont have a boot disk

I have tried all of the above (execpt PRAM, NVRAM reset) and come to the same conclusion. They don,t work for the MACBOOK that I am attempting to repair for a customer. Before I go back into the cave where is the best place to start on my reset journey?

Most grateful

HELLO DAVE ITS SHAM HERE WANT'S TO ASK IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME I KNOW THE PASSWORD BUT DON'T KNOW THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME WHEN I'M TRYING TO CHANGE SETTINGS IN THE SYSTEM PREFERENCES THE PROGRAM ASKS FOR ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME AND PASSWORD I KNOW THE PASSWORD BUT NOT THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME, AND ONE THING MORE LAST TIME WHEN I WAS INSTALLING MAC OS X LEOPARD I SET IT UP FOR A SECURITY WHENEVER MY LAPTOP GET STOLEN AND SOMEONE WILL WANT TO REINSTALL MAC OS X LEOPARD OR WHATEVER THEY WILL HAVE TO PUT PASSWORD TO INSTALL AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT DID I TYPE THAT TIME DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SHAM.

Hey, I tried to do this but when i hit restart it asks for my password again. I got kicked off my admin account while messing around with my settings, now i cant upgrade my computer at all

What M said words even on leopard unless they have fro some insane reason blocked SUM(Single User Mode). (EX. schools and offices).
I have tried it and it will work and you will have the highest authority on the computer.
The new account will have the highest priority.
So go with that root instead!

jose you are the mother f'n man 2 year old post worked perfectly the very first time your my friend are god like

DJ d

HELLO DAVE ITS SHAM HERE WANT'S TO ASK IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME I KNOW THE PASSWORD BUT DON'T KNOW THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME WHEN I'M TRYING TO CHANGE SETTINGS IN THE SYSTEM PREFERENCES THE PROGRAM ASKS FOR ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME AND PASSWORD I KNOW THE PASSWORD BUT NOT THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME, AND ONE THING MORE LAST TIME WHEN I WAS INSTALLING MAC OS X LEOPARD I SET IT UP FOR A SECURITY WHENEVER MY LAPTOP GET STOLEN AND SOMEONE WILL WANT TO REINSTALL MAC OS X LEOPARD OR WHATEVER THEY WILL HAVE TO PUT PASSWORD TO INSTALL AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT DID I TYPE THAT TIME DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SHAM.

Dear JoseAranda,
I recently purchased an ibook g4
running panther at a secondhand store.
The ibook had an admin password which was not disclosed by the store when I purchased the item and no os disks were supplied.
After I got the laptop home I discovered the os had not been updated in a number of years. And without the password I wasnt able to update it.
Thank you for your advice. With your help I was able to follow the steps you described and create a new account and to update the laptop.

Many thanks
Regards
Andrew

thanks to you Jose, you saved my sanity!

HELLO DAVE ITS SHAM HERE WANT'S TO ASK IF YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME I KNOW THE PASSWORD BUT DON'T KNOW THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME WHEN I'M TRYING TO CHANGE SETTINGS IN THE SYSTEM PREFERENCES THE PROGRAM ASKS FOR ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME AND PASSWORD I KNOW THE PASSWORD BUT NOT THE ADMINISTRATOR'S NAME, AND ONE THING MORE LAST TIME WHEN I WAS INSTALLING MAC OS X LEOPARD I SET IT UP FOR A SECURITY WHENEVER MY LAPTOP GET STOLEN AND SOMEONE WILL WANT TO REINSTALL MAC OS X LEOPARD OR WHATEVER THEY WILL HAVE TO PUT PASSWORD TO INSTALL AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT DID I TYPE THAT TIME DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SHAM.

1) Reboot the computer.
2) Hold apple and s at start-up.
3) Type Mount -uw / then hit return
4) Type rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone and hit return
5) Type reboot press return and wait
6) Type in all information needed.
7) go to system preferences.
8) Accounts
9) Click lock button and enter password.
10) click account you want to reset the password on and click reset password.

What do I do when my start up screen is stuck on the gray screen and I've tried every reset and command button on start up and nothing works.how do I reinstall osx from another Mac using a firewire.