Admin Password for eMac OSX 10.2.4

B

banjotrout

Registered
My father has an eMac desktop computer running OSX 10.2.4 We finally hooked him up on DSL, and are now trying to update some of his software through downloads. His system asks us for a User and Password. The User it recognizes is my mom, now deceased 4 years, and we have no idea what password she might have set up. It also recognizes "Administrator" in the User field, so is there a standard password that goes with that?

Is there a way for us to change the User and Password? The computer's Help section recommended reloading the OSX software, but the OSX came loaded on the computer when we bought it, and there doesn't seem to be a CD of the system software in the house.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
 
Do you still have OS X install disk? I ask because you use that disk to startup with and right before the install starts a Finder menu will appear and in that menu is a reset master password.
 
Apologies for delay in responding--I was out of town. No, I cannot find the OS X install disk. I believe the OS X software came preloaded on the computer when we purchased it.
 
This is why it's important to keep the install discs http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274

This may work but I don't remember offhand if the files are in the same location in 10.2 as in 10.5;

You will want to use these two lines in single user mode (boot with cmd-S held down at boot)

rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
reboot

This explains what it does - it will basically tell that the main admin account has not been added yet, and after you have removed this file, and start up the Mac again, it should start the setup assistant so that you can generate a new admin account - and then with its password continue with the updates.

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=2007110800450816 for more
 
Thanks, Giaguara! I'll print out your post and test it when I go to my dad's house next. I'll definitely let you know if it works!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top