You can try this:
But, it will create a new account and your old files will still not be accessible.
Creating a new Admin on Mac Os X:
Here's how to reset your OS X password without an OS X CD.
the Working solution for me was to create a new admin
you can create new admin like this by deleting a specific file.
You need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:
1. Reboot
2. Hold apple key + s key down after you hear the chime.
(command + s keys on newer Macs)
3. When you get text prompt enter in these terminal commands to create a brand new admin account (hitting return after each line):
mount -uw /
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
shutdown -h now
4. After rebooting you should have a brand new admin account. When you login as the new admin you can simply delete the old one and your good to go again!
Apple stores wont reset it for you. Computer shops may charge you $50 to $200 trying to reinstall the Mac and failing at the end.
By now you've figured it out another way, but it's nice to see a post like this that is so helpful.
There was an admin user with a password, I booted into single user mode and typed exactly what you had there.
All I got when I rebooted but the spinning apple boot symbol.
it keeps scrooling Mach communication failed: (ipc/mig) server died
mDNSKeychainGetSecrets failed error2301 CFArrayRef 00000000
mach_msg_server: (ipc/send) invalid memory
There was more to the message than just this message but I didn't have enough time to get it all.
doesn't look good...i think it's toasted.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me. I'd hate to think I have a very expensive paper weight.
Mill thanks
Steen
Thanks
How do I reset my password for my emac if I dont have the start up/installation disk and I dont have an apple keyboard??
You're a star.
Thanks!
I have messed around with downloading all sorts and following crap code. Your solution without the asterix works a treat. Well done - you are the man!
I'm very impressed with your solution and wondering if this will work on Powerbooks as well? I sent my old machine in for a replaced hard drive and superdrive. It came back with a password and the tech doesn't have any idea what pword they might have used?
Thanks!
Skot
Good Luck
-Regards a lost mac user..
1.REBOOT
2. COMMAND & S (AFTER YOU HERE THE CHIME)
3.AFTER TEXT PROMPT ENTER IN THESE TERMINAL COMMANDS (PRESS ENTER AFTER EACH LINE)
mount -w /
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
shutdown -h now
****make sure to use spaces and capital letters EXACTLY as shown in the terminal commands above****
IT will not WORK if you don't type it EXACTLY like this
Worked like a charm
is doing the same thing. Has it messed up the harddrive? Was yours fixed?
I typed in the commands exactly as you stated (case sensitive). After entering the "rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone" command, I receive the message, "No such file or directory". I'm assuming this means it has already been deleted, however, now when the computer reboots it stops at the spinning wheel. Do you know what the problem is? If so, do you know how to correct it?
Are the commands different since I have Panther?
How you doing,
Im Stuck With The Same Problem
I Have A Macbook I Tried To Type The Code For Reset Password It Didnt Work Now My Computer Wont Boot Up Show The White Screen With The Wheel Spining .. Im Wondering If U Got To Solve The Problem
Thanks
Thanks for your advice on resetting password it worked an absolute treat much appreciated. I have tried untold different so called solutions and yours is simple and very effective big 10/10
Open System Preferences to confirm valid user accounts.
If your old user exists you can reset the password for the account.
Or try looking in
/Macintosh HD/Users/
for the User Home Folder.
worst scenario
reinstall New System Folder ( NOT a Clean Install )
Your files will still be there.
Maybe have to fuss with configuring or installing some apps.
sincerly,
Laniyah Marie
It worked well for me, after disabling the
(http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php)
Note to others.
This Brings up the OOBE.
(It will boot like a Brand New Install)
FYI to the novices:
This creates a brand NEW Computer Administrator user account.
It will boot like the day you bought your mac or newly installed. (It is NOT a fresh install)
It will prompt you for all your info again (owner registration , .Mac account, etc.) but create a new username for this new account then Previously existing accounts will be untouched.
When logged in, open System Preferences.
Open Accounts. (prefpane)
All existing user accounts will be there.
Select the user account you wish to reset password or change account permissions.
Logout then Login to the changed account.
(Optional) Delete the newly created account.
If not seeing accounts:
Look in
Macintosh HD/Users/
for the user folder that contains the files you want.
(you can then take ownership of a folder and its contents if needed, unless encrypted, corrupted etc.)
Get Info (command + I) of the selected Folder/File
change ownership/permissions (at the bottom of the properties window)
If No Boot:
Try "Target Disk" mode
Start up holding "T" key. (for a few seconds)
You will see a firewire symbol on the screen.
Your Mac is now an external HDD/DVD/CD device that can be connected to another Mac.
Rescue your files to your preferred media.
While there are a number of ways to skin a cat (Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard)
these are a few simple tips.
hope this helps a few
Thanks Again XpcMan I'm a Freelance IT and this tip saved a clients mac as well as a satisfied client.
B-)
thanks for the info, all worked well except when I go into the accounts, I can´t reset the password on the account I want to change, Reset Password isn´t highlighted. I can reset the other accounts on there, but not my original one.
I did use FileVault at one point (never again!) and there was a Master Password set up which stopped working for some unknown reason.
I realize this is probably 2 separate problems but I thought a could reset the Master Password as well using your method.
Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks for your help.
You are correct - 2 different issues.
File Vault is an 'on the fly' encryption/decryption feature. (files in that account are useless without the account password)
Master Password can only be reset/undone if the Master Password is known. Intended for resetting accounts, not File Vault encryption.
As far as I know there is no way around those issues.
BEST REGARDS AND MAY YOU LIVE FOR EVER A HEALTHY AND WEALTHY LIFE.
Because It's System file.
i'm very sad. :(
your the man my boii !!!
i lost my admin password for my MB
before i try out your solution, just wanted to double check there will be no personal information loss (docs, photos,etc..sorry if question is all too simple, but i am a recent macbie..)
thx again!
tony & family,
just wish my hard drive was not swapping at startup every now & then to network drive
I addressed it in sys pref lets see what happens
Keep up the good work, The computer world needs more helpers & less wankers
if it messes with me again i am putting Ubuntu on it!!!
Thanks for real
Klapps
Why can't anyone on this list speak English?? Learn it or enjoy your crashed Mac.
MG
But;-)
I have forgoten to backup all my data such as photos and music :- (
now I am logged into new admin and I dont have access to my data coz I dont now the password to the old admin !
Do you know how can I get back to that old admin so I can backup all my data so I can move it in to my new admin ????
I downloaded EBCD (http://ebcd.pcministry.com/). It's an ISO that basically has a Linux flavor on it but it boots straight into an easy-to-use menu. You just select the windows password reset option, select the defaults for file locations, and then select the user and the password to change. I've used it on Windows 2000 machines, Windows XP machines, Windows 2000 Server machine. Works flawlessly. One recommendation: If you do use it, just use * as the new password. This will blank out the old password. Then you can boot into windows and safely login with no password and change it to whatever you like. Sometimes these utilities have issues with different flavors of windows re-encrypting a new password so it's best to just blank it out.
You will need to take the ISO file and use CD burner software to burn a CD. You must use the "burn a CD from a Disk Image" (or some option like that) that uses the Image file (ISO file) as input and burns a multi-file bootable CD.
Good Luck
And I dont lose nothing from my old account. You create another account with admin privileges and then remove you old pass from your old account. work just perfect. thanks again!
i cannot access to my files and cannot download anything on my macbook pro have system 10.4.11
no System X cd or dvd is working :(
and strange things happened in my system preferences in user account i dont see anything blank...!!!!! lost my admin name and password .....
i don't know what to do i read your command + S advise but where is terminal i am sorry i can't get it !!!
from iqbal , indonesia
AMAZING,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank You!!!
UP THE CRIMINALS WITH THEIR STOLEN LAPTOPS!!!! YEEEEEHAAAAA
what happen
If you want to make modifications to files:
/sbin/fsck -fy
/sbin/mount -uw /
if you wish to boot the sysem:
exit
:/ root#
(how do I access the administrator information from here?)
Cheers
ahm: no it doesn't! this is simply brilliant :)
Cheers
A sincere note of thanks for your expertise! I jsut bought a used iBook G4 for general apps and I had the same issue of no admin password. Your script worked perfectly!!!
Many thanks from the Rocky Mountains!!!
http://www.onlinenotebook.com/
You Saved Me $200 :)) If Ever You Are In Manila Give Me A Buzz Ill Buy You Dinner...