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I bought a used Mac Mini Intel 1.66 and dont no the admin password and have no discs

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G5Jake

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 22, 2007
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Hi, I just bought a used mac mini intel core duo 1.66ghz, I have no admin password to log onto the thing, I cannot reach the owner because it says his phone is disconnected, I need the password to get on it, I have no Mac OS X install disc's and the ones i do have dont work "witch are panther 10.3.4" I cant order new discs Apple will not send them to me, Im out of options.


If there is anyway you can help me i would appreciete it. But please dont tell me to call mac again or try to get ahold of the owner, those are things that cannot happend, i need some kind of way to reset it, there has to be one somehow!



thanks alot!
 
G5Jake said:
Hi, I just bought a used mac mini intel core duo 1.66ghz, I have no admin password to log onto the thing, I cannot reach the owner because it says his phone is disconnected, I need the password to get on it, I have no Mac OS X install disc's and the ones i do have dont work "witch are panther 10.3.4" I cant order new discs mac will not send them to me, Im out of options.


If there is anyway you can help me i would appreciete it. But please dont tell me to call mac again or try to get ahold of the owner, those are things that cannot happend, i need some kind of way to reset it, there has to be one somehow!



thanks alot!
Click to expand...

I think you got iScrewed. Try to find a copy of the discs on ebay or post on the forums you want to buy an older set?

edit: I did a quick google and someone posted this: " If you have lost them, call 1800-sos-apple, and ask for "fulfillment" and they will send you (possibly at cost) a restore set for your mini."

I know it's not the answer you're looking for but not sure what options you have unless you have a buddy with the same machine/disks
 
I'm sorry G5Jake but I find quite interesting that you would buy a computer from someone without making sure you could use it. You will not be able to get into the computer because it's invasion of privacy and without the install discs you are basically breaking into someone else's computer.
BTW the computer is a Mac. Mac is not the company, it's Apple.
 
HLdan said:
I'm sorry G5Jake but I find quite interesting that you would buy a computer from someone without making sure you could use it. You will not be able to get into the computer because it's invasion of privacy and without the install discs you are basically breaking into someone else's computer.
BTW the computer is a Mac. Mac is not the company, it's Apple.
Click to expand...

I take it this is your version of salt on the wound?
 
HLdan said:
I'm sorry G5Jake but I find quite interesting that you would buy a computer from someone without making sure you could use it. You will not be able to get into the computer because it's invasion of privacy and without the install discs you are basically breaking into someone else's computer.
BTW the computer is a Mac. Mac is not the company, it's Apple.
Click to expand...

Um, Have you herd of ebay? Also what the hell are you talking about its a mac, I understand that, i didnt say it wasnt. Its not an invasion of privacy when you purchase a computer from somebody else and they just happend to forget to reset the password. Dude if you have nothing nice to say, that get the **** off the forum...


Also this:
HLdan said:
BTW the computer is a Mac. Mac is not the company, it's Apple.
Click to expand...


makes NO sence.. get real.
 
Cassie said:


Notice how when you go to http://apple.com there is a tab at the top that says "Mac"? Also notice at the top of the forum page there are links to the apple store?

Yeah, I thought not.
Click to expand...


I understand that. but what you dont is where did i say that apple didnt own mac?
 
Try this.

First hit on Google.

Note: you're going to have to find a copy of Mac OS X somehow. With Leopard around the corner, your timing ain't so hot.

EDIT: Apple documentation here.

EDIT x2: Use your brain before buying used stuff, will ya?
 
i have 10.3.7 and its not taking it. the mac mini has 10.4 on it
 
bluebomberman said:
You need to get a copy of Tiger. If you haven't been burned enough by buying second-hand stuff, you can try to find a copy via Ebay or other non-Apple sellers.
Click to expand...

he said that he had an intel one so the only disks thst he can use are the disks that came with it. anything else that he can buy is powerpc only, Leopard will be the first retail version to support both.
 
HLdan said:
I'm sorry G5Jake but I find quite interesting that you would buy a computer from someone without making sure you could use it. You will not be able to get into the computer because it's invasion of privacy and without the install discs you are basically breaking into someone else's computer.
BTW the computer is a Mac. Mac is not the company, it's Apple.
Click to expand...

That offered absolutely no help, and was purposefully inflammatory. Thanks for your input!
 
mrkramer said:
he said that he had an intel one so the only disks thst he can use are the disks that came with it. anything else that he can buy is powerpc only, Leopard will be the first retail version to support both.
Click to expand...

What? Retail copies of Tiger, at the very least, should support Intel out of the box, right?

(Mulls it over some more...)

Oh, okay, I think I understand. No Intel user has any need to upgrade to Tiger, since no Intel machine runs Panther/Jaguar/etc...

Which leaves two options:

  1. Wait for Leopard, or...
  2. Search high and low in your local community for someone who owns the same exact type of Mac Mini you own, and borrow their disks.
I guess you have to wait for Leopard...

EDIT: I guess all this assumes that you can't get your money back for purchasing a sorta-lemon.
 
G5Jake said:
Hi, I just bought a used mac mini intel core duo 1.66ghz, I have no admin password to log onto the thing, I cannot reach the owner because it says his phone is disconnected,...
Click to expand...
Not accusing anyone of anything, but there's an obvious question: Was the seller the legitimate owner? Can you be 100% certain that you didn't buy a stolen computer?

I'm not familiar with Mother Apple's policy on such things, but I'd expect them to be lookin' very carefully at those questions before giving away a "duplicate key."

LK
 
I'd just advertise on Craigslist that I needed to pay someone for their intel mini discs to use for a few minutes. Or I'd take it into an Apple store.
 
Leon Kowalski said:
Not accusing anyone of anything, but there's an obvious question: Was the seller the legitimate owner? Can you be 100% certain that you didn't buy a stolen computer?

I'm not familiar with Mother Apple's policy on such things, but I'd expect them to be lookin' very carefully at those questions before giving away a "duplicate key."

LK
Click to expand...

There's no way to prove it for sure, but I'd say that it's more likely than not that this baby was stolen (no install disk, admin password lockout, seller's phone # is disconnected).

Frankly, OP doesn't deserve any help.
 
Assuming this is legit - and that's a large assumption - couldn't you just buy an OS, boot up with "C" pressed on the keyboard, and install over it? I've never been asked a previous OS's password when doing a full, fresh install of Tiger on my Macbook.

Why the hell is this the OP's fault? Wouldn't it be the sketchy seller's fault, first? The OP might be careless, a little inexperienced, or any combination of non-intentional oversights. I don't see how screaming at him does anything.
 
California said:
I'd just advertise on Craigslist that I needed to pay someone for their intel mini discs to use for a few minutes. Or I'd take it into an Apple store.
Click to expand...


well i thought that too, but i called apple and had them look up the serial, it was in his name, and i had it transferd to my name, there is no apple support warranty either on it, so i guess ill have to find a copy of leopard.


thanks so much for all your guys help, i really appreciate it. :)
 
bluebomberman said:
Frankly, OP doesn't deserve any help.
Click to expand...

imacdaddy said:
Why not?
Click to expand...

I guess I've exhausted all my goodwill towards fixing a problem that originated from a gray-market purchase. Like all those people who respond to phishing scams and buy stuff from spam retailers - at some point, I just want to smack them, even though often they're the victim...

I'd better log off for the night before I start flaming every poster...

G5Jake said:
well i thought that too, but i called apple and had them look up the serial, it was in his name, and i had it transferd to my name, there is no apple support warranty either on it, so i guess ill have to find a copy of leopard.
Click to expand...

I saw some Mac mini install disks on Ebay that didn't look too pricey - you might want to give that a shot...
 
Boot in single user mode, reset password. This is a commandline-only mode and will give you root level access to the machine. It will also require you to do unixy things.

One explanation can be found here

Remember, all computers can be broken into with physical access :eek:
 
G5Jake said:
Um, Have you herd of ebay? Also what the hell are you talking about its a mac, I understand that, i didnt say it wasnt. Its not an invasion of privacy when you purchase a computer from somebody else and they just happend to forget to reset the password. Dude if you have nothing nice to say, that get the **** off the forum...


Also this:


makes NO sence.. get real.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for your unfortunate dismay but when someone comes on a public forum and says they just bought a used computer from a seller they have no way of contacting but you need the password or a way to get into the computer and have no install discs and the company "Apple" won't sell them to you the information comes across as someone trying to break into a computer that may not be theirs.

Also I am sorry that you don't understand what I mean about the Mac thing. Check out your original post.
You said you called "Mac" and "Mac" wouldn't sell you any install discs.
I said, the computer is called a Mac, not the company. You were referring to the name of the company as "Mac" and not Apple.

I'm not trying to flame you but when you come onto a public forum you have to be prepared for any response rather you like the response or not. Also I see you edited your post and corrected the name of the company, you get real dude.
 
HLdan said:
I'm sorry for your unfortunate dismay but when someone comes on a public forum and says they just bought a used computer from a seller they have no way of contacting but you need the password or a way to get into the computer and have no install discs and the company "Apple" won't sell them to you the information comes across as someone trying to break into a computer that may not be theirs.

Also I am sorry that you don't understand what I mean about the Mac thing. Check out your original post.
You said you called "Mac" and "Mac" wouldn't sell you any install discs.
I said, the computer is called a Mac, not the company. You were referring to the name of the company as "Mac" and not Apple.

I'm not trying to flame you but when you come onto a public forum you have to be prepared for any response rather you like the response or not. Also I see you edited your post and corrected the name of the company, you get real dude.
Click to expand...

honestly dude, your not welcome in this thread, just leave, ive gotten a lot of great answers thats are getting me close. you can think what you want,
 
G5Jake said:
honestly dude, your not welcome in this thread, just leave, ive gotten a lot of great answers thats are getting me close. you can think what you want,
Click to expand...

No problem, as per request I won't post anymore. With the attitude you have good luck. At least I am using MY Mac legitimately.
 
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