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Mac OS X: forgotten password
forgotten password
by susywashere44 - 5/21/08 8:09 AMI have an old bubble imac that I've had for a few years in storage, I went to dig it out but it won't let me even log on, I can't remember the pass word for the life of me, what or how can I just start all over? the only info on the computer is serial no and ethernet ID # and family # M5521 can you help?
What OS?
by froggy56 - 5/21/08 9:26 AM In reply to: forgotten password by susywashere44First question that I want to ask is if you know what version of operating system (OS) is on there?
Secondly, do you have some OS installation disks that came with your iMac?
Others may know how to help you without these questions answered, but I don't!
That pesky password
by mrmacfixit
- 5/21/08 4:31 PM
In reply to: What OS? by froggy56
You will need the disks that came with that computer OR an OS X installation disk. Either one, it does not matter which.
Boot from the CD and choose, from the menubar at the top of the screen, Password Reset.
Do it, to it and you will be good to go
Oh yeah, without the disks, you're stumped.
P
pre OSX?
by froggy56 - 5/22/08 5:02 AM In reply to: That pesky password by mrmacfixit
If it is an early model iMac, the installation disks could be pre OSX, I think.
Would the method be different if it is OS 9 or earlier?
Andrew
Pre OS X
by mrmacfixit - 5/22/08 8:12 AM
In reply to: pre OSX? by froggy56
There was no built-in password facility for accounts, at least not as we now known them, in OS 9 and below.
Third party providers, including Apple, offered software that would create accounts and passwords. I can't remember the name of the Apple one, but it was mainly for use in schools and such.
Having the original account/password CD may not help in that case as the software "may" not let you install anything without a password.
If you are stuck at this password then the only recourse is to either attempt to start with Extensions Off and attempt to bypass the software or reformat to kill everything. You would still need an installation disk to end up with a workable machine though.
Having the original account/password CD may not help in th
The OP has a "Bubble" iMac, a description that could be open to interpretation.
Bubble as in the original Teardrop shape, came with OS9 and OSX
Bubble as in iMac Flat panel with the half globe (bubble) base, came with OS X
I am going to lean toward OS X as this was the first Mac OS that used accounts and passwords by default.
P
imac OS 9.1
by susywashere44 - 5/25/08 3:03 PM In reply to: Pre OS X by mrmacfixit
I went to start my imac and it states I have an OS 9.1 I don't know if this will help.
well that messes everything up!
by mrmacfixit - 5/25/08 3:13 PM
In reply to: imac OS 9.1 by susywashere44
Start up the machine with the SHIFT key held down and see if you can get in that way.
How does it state that you have 9.1?
Is it the startup screen that is displaying this?
P
forgotten password
by susywashere44 - 5/22/08 10:22 AM In reply to: What OS? by froggy56the imac i have is an OSX it's turquiose in color and I don't have any software for this because I bought it @ a garage sale several years ago. I did get the password @ the time and logged in as a guest with my own password, but several years later I don't remember what it is. any software downloads that I could get off the internet?
Thaxs.
Not really,
by mrmacfixit - 5/22/08 10:25 AM
In reply to: forgotten password by susywashere44
Could you borrow an OS X install disk just to reset your password?
It does not have to be the Restore disks that came with the machine, just an OS X install disk.
P
forgotten password
by Apta Good - 5/24/08 1:43 AM In reply to: forgotten password by susywashere44Reboot the computer and hold down the "apple" and "s" keys until you see a black screen with white text.
A command prompt will appear if successful.
1. Type "/sbin/mount -wu" and press Return key (This command allows you to access the files on the computer)
2. Type "/sbin/SystemStarter" and Return (This command starts the services on the computer)
Type "passwd user" and Return, user is the short username on which the password needs to be changed.
3. Type "shutdown -r now" and Return (This command will restart the computer)
If step 2 fails to run, try
2. #sh /etc/rc
You should now be able to log in to the user with the changed password, if it was successful
Be very careful
by mrmacfixit - 5/24/08 7:41 AM
In reply to: forgotten password by Apta Good
when playing with terminal commands.
At this level you are below OS X and the usual safeguards do not apply.
P
Agreed!
by froggy56 - 5/25/08 4:04 AM In reply to: Be very careful by mrmacfixit
I agree that one should be very careful when 'playing' in Terminal.
I did my computing studies on mainframes and the command line is all that we had to use, yet I am VERY wary of using the Terminal on my Mac.
Cheers,
Andrew
PS - How's the original poster going with her problem? Love to hear back about how she went!
Good method, if the user knows the short username
by BigGuns149 - 5/24/08 4:31 PM In reply to: forgotten password by Apta GoodThat is a good method, but I doubt this user knows what the short username is for their account. They probably only know their long username that they see to long into the machine.
For users like this I just tend to tell them to mount the drive and
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
That gets rid of the check for an admin account and let's you create an admin account and from there you can clear any user password.
Good method, if the user knows the short username
by Apta Good - 5/24/08 6:23 PM In reply to: Good method, if the user knows the short username by BigGuns149To find the short username, type this at the command prompt:
ls /Users (followed by Return key)
You'll see all the users' short names.
mounting?
by susywashere44 - 5/25/08 2:13 PM In reply to: Good method, if the user knows the short username by BigGuns149what does this term mean, could you break this down for me.
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