New Apple user needs help

jobberone · Jun 16, 2009

HELPPPP!!!!! Just got two Apple computers off ebay. One used G4 laptop which has admin ID and password I can't get from seller so I can't change preferences, rename machine, yada yada.

Second machine

jobberone · Jun 17, 2009

HELPPPP!!!!! Just got two Apple computers off ebay. One used G4 laptop which has admin ID and password I can't get from seller so I can't change preferences, rename machine, yada yada.

Second machine is an iMax and is new. Unfortunately it is locked too and worse. I'm on it now but I can't email or do a lot for the same reason above. This seller was kicked off ebay so I can't talk to him at all.

Is there a work around. Ebay is working with the laptop seller but if he actually doesn't know the administrator ID and password I'll still need a work around. I'll need a work around on the iMax no matter what.

There are some suggestions. One is to partition a second HD on the first. Install OS and reboot from there. There is an Apple system program which will import all the programs and data from the primary drive to the new partitioned drive. Then erase the primary with an active partition program and merge it all over to one big drive again. All supposedly doable.

Second method is to delete the registry entry for the password. Restart then add your own password. The problem will be to erase the ID and the password in the registry then add your own. There are supposedly programs out there but the responses about them are inconsistent. Some say yeah and some nay. It is a Linux program. Is Leopard written in Linux or a variant? Will a program written for Linux work to change the registry in a Mac.

Or what the heck do I do beside reformat and start over. I don't have a leopard OS disk yet and I don't want to wipe out all the programs and data on the drive.

dcdallaschick · Jun 17, 2009

Will you have OS disk soon? It's really the best way. I'd recommend a fresh install (or archive and install, if there are settings you're somehow concerned about losing) of the OS before you do much anyway, considering the relative shadyness of the seller.

One thing you can do w/o the OS disk is boot into single-user mode and create a new admin account, which will allow you to change the other password and reboot as the original admin w/new password. One of the zillion google-able articles on the subject:
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/01/tuaw-tip-create-an-os-x-admin-user-without-a-disc/

vta · Jun 17, 2009

You do need an install disk and you may have to buy one. Start up from it and from within that you can change the password, without knowing the original password.

When the installer opens, go to Utilities>Reset Password and that will do it.

burmafrd · Jun 17, 2009

switch to Windows

(insert evil laugh here)

YosemiteSam · Jun 17, 2009

Do you have "sudo" access with the account you can login as?

Open a command prompt and type: "sudo su -" (yes include the dash, spaces between sudo, su, and - and no quotes) and then enter your password. If it accepts it your prompt should switch from a "$" to a "#". If that happens, then you should be able to type "passwd" and then it will ask you for your new password which will be the admin (or root) password.

This is providing we are talking about OSX here and it acts like most Unix systems.

Hoofbite · Jun 17, 2009

If you have the install disc, just boot from it.

Format the hard drive and start over. Obviously not going to lose anything you want.

Can't remember what key boots the disc but you could google it and find it really easy. I had to boot from the disc a while back and it wasn't too frustrating.

I wouldn't even tinker with the passwords. Who knows what that dude has on the hard drive anyway. I'd wipe it and start fresh.

Mash · Jun 17, 2009

Put the install disk in and hold the c key down...

That will make the Mac boot from the cd drive...

you can do what vta posted about changing pass...

or you can do a fresh install.

Maikeru-sama · Jun 17, 2009

How big is the learning curve when going from PC to Mac?

I may be in the market for a laptop at some point.

dcdallaschick · Jun 17, 2009

Maikeru-sama;2813344 said:
How big is the learning curve when going from PC to Mac?

I may be in the market for a laptop at some point.

Here's a video from the Apple site that shows the main "getting around" differences. No biggie, really.

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#tutorial=switcher

DCgirl13 · Jun 17, 2009

jobberone;2813216 said:
Second machine is an iMax and is new.

Is this a new kind of mac? Hehe, just kidding. I'm guessing you meant iMac.

A fresh install would be best for you. If you purchase a copy of OSX Leopard, you can install it on both machines. Some people think you need the family pack for multiple machines, but you don't.

I had the same issue when I bought my imac from someone on craigslist, but luckily I had a disk to do a fresh install.

Good luck with your new Macs. You will love them once you get used to them!

Hoofbite · Jun 17, 2009

Maikeru-sama;2813344 said:
How big is the learning curve when going from PC to Mac?

I may be in the market for a laptop at some point.

Not big at all.

Basically just realize that the control key+click is your right click.

jobberone · Jun 17, 2009

dcdallaschick;2813254 said:
Will you have OS disk soon? It's really the best way. I'd recommend a fresh install (or archive and install, if there are settings you're somehow concerned about losing) of the OS before you do much anyway, considering the relative shadyness of the seller.

One thing you can do w/o the OS disk is boot into single-user mode and create a new admin account, which will allow you to change the other password and reboot as the original admin w/new password. One of the zillion google-able articles on the subject:
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/01/tuaw-tip-create-an-os-x-admin-user-without-a-disc/

Yeah, I'm getting Leopard. But if I do a clean install without all the programs I have loaded already then will I be screwed for awhile until I buy everything I like and use. I don't private much at all. If I'm going to use a program I want to be legit and not worry about updates yada. I just don't want to lose a lot of stuff particularly on the desktop which is loaded. Some I'll use and keep. Others not so much and I'll eventually uninstall them.

Will I need the disks for all the programs? Can I do a second partition and install leopard there then merge everything.

jobberone · Jun 17, 2009

vta;2813258 said:
You do need an install disk and you may have to buy one. Start up from it and from within that you can change the password, without knowing the original password.

When the installer opens, go to Utilities>Reset Password and that will do it.

One of my sons will get me one. A real one that can be authenticated. I suspect they kept theirs or its OEM. So no matter what I need an OS disk(s).

jobberone · Jun 17, 2009

burmafrd;2813270 said:
switch to Windows

(insert evil laugh here)

Yeah. Well, I canning Windows at least for now until I figure out which one is not the worst.

MuHaHaHaHa.

jobberone · Jun 17, 2009

Hoofbite;2813324 said:
If you have the install disc, just boot from it.

Format the hard drive and start over. Obviously not going to lose anything you want.

Can't remember what key boots the disc but you could google it and find it really easy. I had to boot from the disc a while back and it wasn't too frustrating.

I wouldn't even tinker with the passwords. Who knows what that dude has on the hard drive anyway. I'd wipe it and start fresh.

don't know how easy or hard it is to place Trojan horse or whatever. Mac supposed to be safe but what the heck do I know.

I do want to keep some programs until I can afford to gradually buy and replace the ones I'll use.

jobberone · Jun 17, 2009

dcdallaschick;2813254 said:
Will you have OS disk soon? It's really the best way. I'd recommend a fresh install (or archive and install, if there are settings you're somehow concerned about losing) of the OS before you do much anyway, considering the relative shadyness of the seller.

One thing you can do w/o the OS disk is boot into single-user mode and create a new admin account, which will allow you to change the other password and reboot as the original admin w/new password. One of the zillion google-able articles on the subject:
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/09/01/tuaw-tip-create-an-os-x-admin-user-without-a-disc/

Somehow I glossed over this and missed it. This is a ticket if I can make it work. Mucho gracias, amigo.

Dallas · Jun 17, 2009

Heheh

Macintosh

jobberone · Jun 18, 2009

Dallas;2814393 said:
Heheh

Macintosh

Doesn't crash like Vista or other Windows. No anti-viral or malware stuff. Instant on and off. Cons. Well, it was a FREE 24" iMac but you can't tinker inside of it like a Windows based one. For a non-hacker I like it so far. I'll give it a few months before drawing conclusions.

jobberone · Jun 18, 2009

BTW, there is a work around for this. You have to reboot in command mode by holding Apple-S then giving three commands at the prompts. It will reboot and allow you to add an administrator in single user mode. You may then remove any other accts as an administrator.

Problem solved. So far. At this point in time 1:10 PM EDT.

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