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divo - Jun 27, 2005 - 1:55 am

i have a used 667 powerbook. i've got an update notice for virex. the problem is; i can't update because i don't have/know the admin password. how do i get/change it?

the person i bought it from is no longer at the computer store i got it from.

macbandit - Jun 27, 2005 - 2:09 am

Hi Divo,
if you are using Mac OS X all you have to do is start from the Mac OS X CD, when the Installer shows on the screen, go to the Installer menu and there will see a point "Reset Password", give your new password in and restart, thats all.
Steven

divo - Jun 27, 2005 - 2:26 am

thanks, but i didn't get a cd with the machine. planning on buying tiger soon, but what do i do in the mean time?

macbandit - Jun 27, 2005 - 2:50 am

Hi Divo,
without a CD it is possible but not exactly easy, you need to do the following:

1. Start the PBook in Single User mode: On Startup press Command-S, you should see the following commands on the screen:
/sbin/fsck -fy and /sbin/mount -uw/
2. Type "SystemStarter start NetInfo" press Enter

(after System has started)
3. Type "niutil -list . /users" press Enter
(This will show you a list of users in the current netinfo database)

4. Type "passwd username" - replace username with your short name. you will be prompted to enter your password twice
5. Restart and your password is now resetted.
Steven

divo - Jun 29, 2005 - 8:28 pm

thanks steven, for getting back to me.

i tried what you suggested but. after i enter a new password i get:
"Net Info write failed: Remote system error"

macbandit - Jun 30, 2005 - 2:09 am

Hi Divo,
I'm not sure what has happened because I have used this method a few times for customers and it has always worked. To confirm here are the instructions again, a bit more explained:

1. First, you'll need to reboot into single-user mode. This boots your Mac into a text-only mode (you might be familiar with this experience if you've ever had to run fsck). You'll see instructions on how to run the file system check -- fsck -- and then a command prompt. Enter the command mount -uw / so that we can make changes to the disk.
2. Next, you need to be able to make changes to the users' accounts on your Mac in order to reset your password, and we'll do that with NetInfo. Start NetInfo by typing Systemstarter. You'll see a pile of messages appearing, which might seem familiar to you if you've ever watched the startup progress bar. When you see the message System started. and a stationary cursor, hit Return. You'll see the shell prompt appear again.
3. Now that NetInfo is running, we can change our lost password. If you don't know the short username for your account (for example, 'jane' instead of 'Jane Doe'), you'll need that - enter the command niutil -list . /users and hit Return, to see the names of the accounts on your Mac.
4. Now that you know the name of the account you want to use, enter the command passwd user -- where user is the short name of the account you're changing. You'll be told that you're changing the password for user and asked to enter it twice. Do this, being careful with your typing: you won't see the characters you're typing, or stars. Watch that Caps Lock key, while you're at it.
Now type reboot and press Return once more to reboot your Mac. You should now have no problem logging in.

Try this again, if it doesn't work then you will need to get hold a install CD
Steven

divo - Jun 30, 2005 - 4:05 am

i followed the instructions carefully, both times, and i still end up with same result.

macbandit - Jun 30, 2005 - 3:40 pm

Hi Divo,
I don't know of any other ways to reset the password apart from the method I explained to you and the CD. I am going to put you back into the open pool to see if anybody else can help you.
Sorry the single user method didn't work for you, I've used this method twice myself and it worked both times
Steven

divo - Jun 30, 2005 - 5:30 pm

thabx for your help anyway.

bicycle - Jul 3, 2005 - 11:17 am

Hello. I have only one thing to add to what Steven said. Do these steps, but I added a step 1.5:

1. Start the PBook in Single User mode: On Startup press Command-S, you should see the following commands on the screen:
/sbin/fsck -fy and /sbin/mount -uw/

1.5 Type "/sbin/mount -uw /"

2. Type "SystemStarter start NetInfo" press Enter

(after System has started)
3. Type "niutil -list . /users" press Enter
(This will show you a list of users in the current netinfo database)

4. Type "passwd username" - replace username with your short name. you will be prompted to enter your password twice
5. Restart and your password is now resetted.

Write back to say whether or not this works. If it does not, I will return the question to the pool.

divo - Jul 4, 2005 - 6:37 pm

just tried it. everything when through except the adim password change. went into system preference and i couldn't change the password. still can't access/connect to virex eupdate.

bicycle - Jul 5, 2005 - 12:48 am

I'm sorry, but I don't know of any other ways to reset the password either.

On one hand, there are no viruses currently for virex to keep out, so you have time until you buy Tiger to just ignore the virex update. I've not used any anti-virus program in 3.5 years of using OS X and in 7-8 years of using Macs before that and I've never gotten a virus.

Perhaps the computer store you bought it from has an OS X installation CD that they will use to help you reset the password? Do you have any friends/acquaintances who run OS X who could loan you an installation CD for that purpose?

Anyway, I'll return this case to the pool in case someone else knows a way.

Best wishes,
Ed

divo - Jul 6, 2005 - 2:24 am

the store is more of a Internet cafe/repair shop, mostly pc. i bought it from a former employee. most friends haven't crossed over to mac from pc.

been trying to get them to make the switch...