lost password for MAC OS X

[chileman]

I am traveling in southern Chile with my MacBook air. It has OS X operating system Leopard but not sur eof exact version.

I had a problem and rebooted machine. It came up in SAFE MODE and asked for a password. I have no idea what my password is. I went on line using another computer and saw that if I have original DVD installation disks I can reboot with them and change password. Two problems with that.

1. I do not have disks
2. Even if I did the MACbook air does not have built in CD ROM port and not sure if my externally plugged in unit would even work if I did have the disks.

I have access to second computer with access to internet that I am using and did some searches. I found a proposed solution at

http://forums.techarena.in/tips-tweaks/1107483.htm
Their suggested route is posted below:

To reset your OS X password without an OS X CD you need to enter terminal and create a new admin account:

1. Reboot
2. Hold apple + s down after you hear the chime.
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 you’re good to go again!



I did what they said and got to the terminal page. When I got to step 3 and tried to type in text I found that I can only only type in upper case letters and can not get lower case characters such as the hyphensymbol (-) and the slash (/) symbol

Since I can get the first line typed in exactly as it is written mount -uw / I am stuck.

I do see something in terminal code that says Root device is read-only so maybe this has something to do with it.

Any suggestions will be helpful

[ra3ndy]

Hi there,
It sounds like one of your SHIFT keys is broken, locked in the Down position. That would explain booting into Safe Mode, as well as typing in all caps in Single User Mode. Unless there's obvious signs of damage (spilled coffee, etc), Apple store should fix it since (unless you bought it RIGHT after it came out, and didn't buy Applecare) it should still be under warranty.

Good Luck!

[chileman]

Thanks...

I think you figured out my problem. It probably is a bad shift key. My kids had been using the computer and did probably spill cereal, juice or something else on the keyboard.

Given that I am in middle of patagonia and nearest apple store is over 1000 miles away in santiago I think my options are pretty limited.

I think I need to open the air laptop and try to clean it myself.

I bought the mahcine in US but do not think I bought applecare.

I look at bottom of laptop and it has 11 screws. I am tempted to open it up and try to access keyboard to clean it internally. Have you ever done this and and suggestions as to whether to try it or not? I am worried I could do some serious damage if not careful but not sure since never opened a laptop before (have opened many a desktop windows machines before)

[fryke]

I wouldn't open it. The chances that you'll find a culprit that you can simply remove are slim to none. If you'd send the 'book in for repair, they'd probably replace the whole keyboard/palmrest area without further looking at the keyboard. For the time being, you could simply use some sort of USB keyboard if you happen to find one.

[ra3ndy]

Do both of your shift keys move fully when you press them (i.e. doesn't feel like something is obstructing them)? Do either of them feel at all like they're sticking?

You could try (since it's already most likely broken) just semi-aggressively hammering both shift keys several times, just to try to dislodge or break up whatever may be in there causing it to think you have the key held down. Just don't, y'know, break anything.

[stillhustlin]

start in target disk mode the plug your air to another mac firewire and install

on start up hold down the T-key on start up