I bought a used PowerBook G4. The original owners have moved to Canada and I do not have their phone number. The problem is that I do not know the administrator’s password. I am unable to make changes on the computer or add software without a password. How do I get a new password when I don’t even know the existing one?
I bet you’ll be surprised how easy it is to change the administrator (known in Unix parlance as “root”) password on a Mac OS X Tiger, Panther, etc., computer. The key to unlocking your system is the Mac OS X install disk.
If you don’t have this disk, then your best bet is to buy a copy of Mac OS X, even though you already have the OS installed on your computer (you could try calling Apple (800 SOS-APPL) and asking for a replacement boot disk too). One smart way to accomplish this: look for Mac OS X on eBay. You might also ask yourself if you need to run Tiger, or whether Panther would work for you – it’d be a lot cheaper.
Once you have an install disk in hand, double click on the Install Mac OS icon and you’ll get a window with a big graphic (this is one place where Apple isn’t subtle!) and a restart button. Click on it, and your PowerBook will restart and go straight to the install process.
But don’t install the OS again! Just click through windows far enough until you get the regular set of choices on the menu bar. One of those menus is Utilities and one of the choices on that menu is Reset Password….
I’d show this menu as a screenshot here, but can’t figure out how to get a screenshot of the install process. Sorry!
Anyway, using this tool, you’ll be able to change your password to something you know. Then choose Quit from the Installer menu and when your computer restarts, you’ll now know the admin password.
Not too hard.
One important note here for anyone with a Mac: your admin password is only of limited security because anyone with an OS install disk can restart off their disk and reset your password without knowing your existing password. Just something to keep in mind, securitywise!
Hope this helps you out with your new PowerBook!
“/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]”
Your the man, worked a treat!!! THANK YOU!!!
well i tried d lil method thing and at the end it asked me did i wanna do sum and i put yes and now i got a whole bunch o y’s strolling up and dwn d screen someone please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have tried all the suggestions and nothing has worked, except that I now can’t get the keyboard commands to work and the start up sound isn’t there anymore, it just keeps booting to the password screen. Any suggestions? Cheers.
i bought a PowerPC G4 (2.1) with the following specs and i cant get the administator password so please help me.
Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model:PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.1)
This forum is the best.
It helped me a lot.
I have a Maccbook. I bought it in crack list.
When i turned it on i saw a question mark.
I olso tried to boot it from a cd, but it didn’t work.
Any help please
With access to the Mac OS X single user mode, you can create a new administration-level user account without entering a current administrative password. This process is useful for technical support and troubleshooting, but it does have important security implications.
The following process should be used only as a last resort, when none of the administrator-level accounts on the computer are functional. If you are providing technical support, you should only create a new administrator account in this manner if you have permission from the computer&rsquos owner or system administrator.
In most cases, you can do what is necessary using an existing administrator account. You may need to Change your Mac OS X account password in System Preferences. Or, if the password is not known or forgotten, you can Change a forgotten Mac OS X account password by starting up from any Mac OS X install disc.
Note: Being able to start up a computer in this way and create a new administrator user is a security risk. If you want to prevent the computer from starting up in single user mode or from a Mac OS X install disc, you should enable an Open Firmware password on the computer.
Restart the computer in Mac OS X single user mode by holding Command-S at startup.
Mount the computer’s drive for read/write access. To do so, type the following command at the command prompt, and then press Enter:
% mount -uw /
Remove the file that identifies that the initial run of the “Mac OS X Setup Assistant” has been completed, with this command at the command prompt, followed by Enter:
% rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
Restart the computer by entering this command, followed by Enter.
% reboot
The Mac OS X Setup Assistant screen should appear after the reboot, just as it does when you start up a brand new computer or upgrade to a new version of Mac OS X.
Create a new user account with the Setup Assistant. Be sure to name this user something different than the admin user that already exists on the system, and use a strong password (see “Mac OS X password tips”). At the end of the Setup Assistant process, the system will automatically log into this new user account. The account will have a unique ID (UID) that is one higher than the last user that was on the system, and will have all administration privileges.
We strongly recommend that you delete the new administrator account in the System Preferences application, once you have done what you need to do with it and it is no longer needed.
Here’s my Problem. I can log into my Macbook Pro using the local admin account without a problem. But when it comes time to deal with an administrative task,(i.e unlock the padlock), and I get prompted to input the password, the password fails. This account is THE admin account… …first and only admin account.
any ideas as to why this may have happened and what I can do about it? …without having to rebuild the box…
my CD drive is broken, is there another way to change the admin password on a powerbook other than booting from the Installer disk? Is there a way to do this from another mac, PC or USB device?
i have a powerbook g3 and i forgot my password and so i tried to install the cd from a second account i created. but when i click install a sign comes up and says “installation cannot occur while logged in as a non owner. please log in with owner privileges” help? plz
Hi! I was hoping you could help me out.
I lost my admin password of my Powerbook G4, so I used:
mount -uw /
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
shutdown -h now
to remove the old admin account so i could create a new one. This worked perfectly in just one try. But when i have to fill in my data (Apple ID, name, address, etc.) the keyboard is disabled! It just makes this annoying sound when i press any key. Without entering your data you obviously can’t continue registration.
The keys do work untill that introduction clip starts.
Help would be very much appreciated, since my laptop is useless this way.!
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
This is to therealunixadmin. Could you go step by step on the password reset, I am new to mac os x, and I am trying to change the old password of a computer given to me. I already tried jose aranda’s method in single user mode, but when creating a new account, I get a Sorry, an unexpected error has occured. [Local account creation failed] *** -[NSCFArray objectAtIndex:]: index (2)beyond bounds(0)Can you, or someone please help?? Thanks in advance.
hi,
I need help!! i forgot my password , and my mac doesnt let me log in without it. Can You help me please 🙁
Thank you
Guys you are too much i was trying to remove the login password and everything is fine. keep the good work up.
You guys are such liars 😐 It’s clear you are all clueless none of you are unix admins and you don’t have the guts to just admit it 🙁 so instead you give bullsh*t advice.
General steps to reset any unix machine’s local root password apple included:
1- Run single use mode. In this case hold down apple+s as you are rebooting.
2- mount your partitions
3- chroot to the real root partition
4- go to /etc
5- vi shadow
6- find root entry
7- delete the stuff that is the password.
so for example:
root:asdfasfdfw3efs:10063:0:99999:7:::
will be changed to :
root::10063:0:99999:7:::
8- save
9 reboot
10 login as root.
11 change password immediately.
12. done.
That’s all. How disgusting!! you are just a bunch of posers 🙁
If you are using a non-standard authentication like NIS or LDAP this will not work. This is for resetting local root only. I’m assuming no open firmware password. If that is set; That too can be hacked. But you can’t do it if you don’t know something as resetting a simple root. Find a white haired Sun Admin and ask him to please help you. Apples firmware is essentially as Sun’s. It’s based on Forth. Now go away.
Pravina, you want to install the very latest version of the OS unless you have an old computer that can’t handle it. The current as of this note is Leopard, though Apple is reputed to be introducing “Snow Leopard” next week (mid-June, 2009) at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
I’m not computer savvy at all…if I’m going to install the Mac OS X how do I know whether to install a tiger or a panther? please help. thank-you.
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
This works but all network setting will be gone, unless you know your network setting if not you are SOL. Also if you are on a managed domain. Your rights and group membership within that domain will be messed up.
Hint hint
Dont do this to a work computer. . . there are other ways to do this. .
Just hold down the c button while ur booting up the computer thats it bypass mr password!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so i have a mac mini my father gave to me. i basically want to keep the family photos and his music because i like it. i just would like to change the password to my own and the user name and create another account for my brother, if i try JoseAranda method, would that erase all the files in the mac mini?? and would i be able to change the user name and not just the password?
and btw, i’m using a windows keyboard, so which one is command-c on the windows keyboard?
Long time ago , I confronted with the similar problem. Finally , my friend Jane introduce the Windows password Reset 6.0.It help me access windows.It’s great!
I purchased a used Macbook on ebay recently, but the bloke never gave me password and username (username comes up on things as Macbook User). I need to update itunes, etc, but it won’t allow me. Have tried to use my password and user name for the itunes I had on my PC and for my new iMac, but no luck. Is there some generic password I can use, or is there any easy way around this if the guy doesn’t get back to me with the info needed.
Thanks
well too reset a mac password there is a way you can do it in single user mode. search google for how to hack a mac password.
IN ORDER TO RESET THE PASSWORD, YOU GOTTA HAVE THE OLD ONE, OR GOOD LUCK RESETTING ANY PASSWORD.. REGARDLESS HOW YOU DO IT, EVEN “BEST BUY”COULDN’T FIX THAT PART FOR ME. I’M SCREWED.
hey I wanna find out my adm name and password too. BUT i want to keep all my files– wil doing erase all of my files?
mac i bookG4. sreen display pad lock. what i should do? any password? please help me.
I have tried all you suggest to no avail. When I hold down the command-S (I assume the command key and the S key at the same time) it simply boots normally. I get no screen that allows me to even enter the commands above. Please help.
Hello all,
Thank you to Jose, it does work to get an admin account. However, I have a slightly different problem. I am trying to access my account on my Macbook Pro that I had enabled FileVault on, and forgot the password, and also the login password, which I thought was the same as the FileVault password (but appears is not the case) I have now been able to create a new Admin account, but, I am still unable to access the data on my old account (I get the little red checkmark, or whatever it is, on the accounts’ name, and when I click on the account under Users, I get the dialog telling me that I do not have the rights to access that data. Help! If anyone knows how to get around this, it would be great. Basically, I need the “Master” password, the one that I entered when I enabled FileVault. Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.
how do i reset my admin passowrd when windows xp boots up first on my macbook? i hit command s and it gives me the option for os or windows but i cant get into mac bios???
Hi all
I just did what JoseAranda told us and it didn´t work at first. I found another way to configure it. After deleting the .AppleSetupDone I rebooted and it didn´t prompt me of any root passwd change. I boot normally and had all working fine but not .AppleSetupDone database locate on my imac. I start a terminal and typed as a single User:
sudo passwd root
it prompted me to change the root password as no root password was found. I just typed what I wanted and bingo… I have root privileges.
here it is again. THIS REALLY WORKS!!!!
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
I do not know or understand what .AppleSetupDone file was storing. I suppose that it had the root password on it, as I could change it. Does any body could tell me what´s it for? Could other people attack using the same steps I did to liberate my imac?
Cheers
To Kevin with the 200 MacBooks in. If you don’t want a password on any of these just give them a quick password then login and go to system preferences > Accounts > (you may need to unlock this window using password) then click on “Login Options” at bottom left of screen. At the top of that screen it should say something “Automatic Login: Disabled” now simply click on the user name and from then on you will log in automatically. TA DA! Hope it helped.
I have about 200 MacBooks in now and I have the admin password from the client that gave them to us. However i need to clear the password to where it does NOT ask for one. When i put in the pass i have it allows me to change the pass. I leave both blank but it tells me i have to have at least 1 character for a pass. I DONT WANT A PASS ON THESE. Help please.
hii,
i have a problem resetting my adminstrator password and when i put in the mac os x cd to and try restarting for the cd it needs a password. so i just turned the system off then back on and the cd was still inside and i held the c button while the system boots but it would eject my cd before it finshes restarting. what can i do please help..
awesome! Jose’s method worked on my macbook today! Thanks SO much
Hi Jose Aranda,
i wanted to ask if You could help me with this problem.
My Mac powerbook G4 has lost all visiblity on the scree, it stays completely white, so i have since connected an external monitor screen to work with it which isnt a problem, since everything is still functioning minus the screen.
However, after i asked someone to take a look at it, they returned it to me, and when i start it up it asks for the administrator password, which after i proceed to put it in, still wont give me access.
i want to try Your tip of Commnad- S on restart and then,
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
BUT, because the screen is white i cant see anything, and nothing shows up on the external monitor either after putting in the command-s.
Is there any way of being able to see it on the external monitor so i can put in the /sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
Thanks,
appreciate it
Jose Aranda, you must be the one 😀
Your solution works sucessfully….thank you so much.
Thanks again JoseAranda!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!
My macbook is working again.
Hi, Used JoseAranda’s method on an iBook G3, have to say that this is the most response I’ve gotten out of any method posted to reset pass..HOWEVER… it is creating my account…2 HOURS RUNNING!!! Is this normal? I wouldn’t think so..any suggestions? Thanks..
I have a g4 with old Osx 1.2.2 or something like that. I have been running it in clasic environment because of the software I was using. Tonite it states freezing up and finally it won’t boot up. When I boot up, It goes to grey screen and nothing happens. No smiley face like usual, no folder icon, no nothing. Just grey screen. Plese help. Thanks so much.
I am having a problem resetting my password. I cannot remember it. I was attempting to hear the governor’s state address but was unsuccessful. I was asked to enter administrator’s name and password. I have no info on that. Please help me
Hi Dave
I forgot my window vista password and i dont have a disk or the cd to get it going again.
is there a way to get past this.
respectfully
william
hii,
i have a problem resetting my adminstrator password and when i put in the mac os x cd to and try restarting for the cd it needs a password. so i just turned the system off then back on and the cd was still inside and i held the c button while the system boots but it would eject my cd before it finshes restarting. what can i do please help..
I tried with Installation CD as mentioned at apple support website,indeed I changed password but when attempting to add more users it says invalid password even though I changed at installation cd setup.I totally gave up until I came across this website and tried the other method i.e command s and it worked like a charm,thanks to Jose Aranda
wow, if it wasnt for mr jose arana up there i would be screwed. I tried everything i possibly could, and I have a raid controller with a mac pro…. what a nightmare. my mac is such an awesome machine but apple as a company needs to do a better job of having Only techies help techies!
I want to say that I am forever in debt to you guys on this site especially “JoseAranda” for putting this code which worked to perfection!
[Hey Davo I was having the same problem as you but then I realized i wasnt putting a space after rm
but this one reset the password it will just create a new account for you but you can still see the other admin under accounts but I guess it doesnt really matter.
here it is again. THIS REALLY WORKS!!!!
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
again make sure you use space after /fsck then space again after /mount and finally space again after rm then just type reboot [enter] then mac osx will take you to making a new profile prosses.]
Thanks again JoseAranda!!! YOU ARE AWESOME!
password suppurt
hay dave i am a new mac person, how do i remove unwanted programs from the machine?
I have a similair problem. I have had an old imac G4 lying around that used to belong to my sister. I’ve decided to sell it to a friend, but I dont know the password, and neither does she. This mac is running OS 10.2.3, and I dont have the original install disc. I do have a leopard install disk though. Would I be able to use the same instructions you provided in this case?
Thanks alot!
Man – thank you so much. I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to bypass the PW. The:
/sbin/fsck -y [Enter]
/sbin/mount -uaw [Enter]
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone [Enter]
reboot [Enter]
worked like a charm. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
please halp me h4x0r my girlfriend MacZ0r, lolz!11