Resetting User password in OS X

[ConchieDon]

A friend who is also a dinosaur just bought a new G4 laptop as her introduction to the wonderful world of computers. She can't remember her user password and can't access her notes at home 4000 miles away! It was suggested someone here would have the solution

 

[Zammy-Sam]

Hi ConchieDon and welcome to the forum.
To reset the osx password you will need the panther DVD. Boot into the installer by holding the "c" key while boot. Once you entered the blue interface look for something like 'reset password'. Do not process with the installation! It should be in the menu where you can also run Disk Utility for repairing permissions.
Good luck!

 

[fryke]

If she's 4000 miles away from her computer, then this is - of course - a no-go. But that's basically the _meaning_ of security. And we sure can't (and certainly wouldn't WANT to) answer your question, if it really is "How do we hack into my friend's computer from afar?".

 

[scruffy]

Are you sure you have to delete anything? Wouldn't you want to mount the disk read-write, and then
passwd (username)

 

[g/re/p]

Are you sure you have to delete anything? Wouldn't you want to mount the disk read-write, and then passwd (username)

It seems the post you are refering to fell victim to the anonymous overzealous post deleter - but to answer your question, my solution requires mounting the disk read-write before deleting the particular file i was refering to.

I am not sure about the "passwd (username)" method, but it sounds much easier if it will work.

Disclaimer
My solution could be used by a dishonest person to hack into a mac, but anyone with an install CD can change the password just as easily.