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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Dont Know Admin Password Would Like to Format Hard Drive
laze - Jul 5, 2005 - 8:12 am
recently I have aquired an 1book g4 for school. it runs osx panther. I forgot my password so i actually shutoff automatic login and then followed the documented procedure to reset the password but now all my screen does when I insert the intall disk is shift slightly to the right.No installer screen appears at all, and it just stays at the above stated screen. how do i fix this i need to use my computer!!
thank for any help
thank for any help
Cheryl - Jul 5, 2005 - 8:55 am
Emmanuel,
First, you need to use the power adaptor when you are starting up the iBook with a CD.
Second, make sure the CD is the one that matches the version you are running on the computer. Panther is the 10.3 CD. Do not use the System Restore CD, you must use the Install CD disk 1.
Third, when starting up using the CD, make sure you hold down the C key until you get the installer screen. This is to make sure you are indeed starting up with the CD.
Give it another try and see if it works this time.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
First, you need to use the power adaptor when you are starting up the iBook with a CD.
Second, make sure the CD is the one that matches the version you are running on the computer. Panther is the 10.3 CD. Do not use the System Restore CD, you must use the Install CD disk 1.
Third, when starting up using the CD, make sure you hold down the C key until you get the installer screen. This is to make sure you are indeed starting up with the CD.
Give it another try and see if it works this time.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
laze - Jul 5, 2005 - 10:43 pm
the screen just keeps shifting to the right when i hold the c button, and i've yet to see any installer screen.are there any alternate ways of doing this cause i've tried numerous times and it still doesn't work or does this mean that my computer is now useless and i should make plans toward another purchase.
Cheryl - Jul 5, 2005 - 10:55 pm
Emmanuel,
First double check that CD. Make sure it is clean with no smudges or dirt marks. If you see a scratch on it, this is the cause of the problems. You will need to replace that CD with a new one.
Does the computer start up normally? Can you log in to use the computer?
If yes, you can enable the Root user, log in as Root and change the Admin user's password from the Accounts pane. the steps to do that are here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106290
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
First double check that CD. Make sure it is clean with no smudges or dirt marks. If you see a scratch on it, this is the cause of the problems. You will need to replace that CD with a new one.
Does the computer start up normally? Can you log in to use the computer?
If yes, you can enable the Root user, log in as Root and change the Admin user's password from the Accounts pane. the steps to do that are here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106290
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
laze - Jul 5, 2005 - 11:59 pm
The cd does not semm to have any nicks or scratches, and it does normally log in. it's just for so long i had it on automatic login then i guess i must've took it off somehow and forgot my password, now it justs brings me to the login screen and all i can remember is my user name.
Cheryl - Jul 6, 2005 - 9:07 am
Emmanuel,
I found something that just might work as long as you are not afraid to run terminal. You may want to print this so it is handy.
Restart the iBook.
While the computer is restarting, hold down “Command-S” until you see text scrolling through the window. This boots the computer into single user mode.
3. At the Localhost% prompt type:
Note: EXCLUDE THE QUOTATION MARKS, but make sure to type exact and with the spaces.
NOTE: Hit the return key after each command.
First type in: “/sbin/fsck -y”
Followed by: “/sbin/mount -uw /”
Then, type in:
“/usr/libexec/register_mach_bootstrap_servers /etc/mach_init.d”
Next: “cd /var/db/netinfo”
Then: “netinfod -s local”
Followed by: “SystemStarter”
Finally, type: “passwd {username}”
You’ll be asked to come up with a new password. And you will be asked to type it in twice. ALSO - you may not see characters while you type in the password. Don't worry about that. Just make sure you type it in exactly the same twice. Remember that it is case sensitive.
After that, type “reboot”
*******Remember, to EXCLUDE the quotations marks, but type in all the junk inbetween –even the spaces!
Now write down that password so you do not forget it. Put it in a safe place.
Let me know if this works.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I found something that just might work as long as you are not afraid to run terminal. You may want to print this so it is handy.
Restart the iBook.
While the computer is restarting, hold down “Command-S” until you see text scrolling through the window. This boots the computer into single user mode.
3. At the Localhost% prompt type:
Note: EXCLUDE THE QUOTATION MARKS, but make sure to type exact and with the spaces.
NOTE: Hit the return key after each command.
First type in: “/sbin/fsck -y”
Followed by: “/sbin/mount -uw /”
Then, type in:
“/usr/libexec/register_mach_bootstrap_servers /etc/mach_init.d”
Next: “cd /var/db/netinfo”
Then: “netinfod -s local”
Followed by: “SystemStarter”
Finally, type: “passwd {username}”
You’ll be asked to come up with a new password. And you will be asked to type it in twice. ALSO - you may not see characters while you type in the password. Don't worry about that. Just make sure you type it in exactly the same twice. Remember that it is case sensitive.
After that, type “reboot”
*******Remember, to EXCLUDE the quotations marks, but type in all the junk inbetween –even the spaces!
Now write down that password so you do not forget it. Put it in a safe place.
Let me know if this works.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
laze - Jul 6, 2005 - 10:25 am
do i do this with the install
cd in the computer
cd in the computer
Cheryl - Jul 6, 2005 - 10:55 am
Emmanuel,
I am sorry, I should have said that you do not need the CD to do this. But you can still do it with the CD in the drive. When you hold down Apple (command) + S, the hard drive and CD drive is bypassed.
Let me know if this works.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
I am sorry, I should have said that you do not need the CD to do this. But you can still do it with the CD in the drive. When you hold down Apple (command) + S, the hard drive and CD drive is bypassed.
Let me know if this works.
--------
Let me know if you need further assistance and thank you for using MacOSX.com !
Cheryl
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