imac password re-set help

[rmal]

I have a used iMac running Tiger (X 10.4.9)

I purchased a used imac without a password.

I have been told to purchase an OS disk to re-set the password. Should it be tiger or leopard?

If I use the new OS disk to re-set the password, will I lose installed software?

The seller was the spouse of an upset divorced husband and he has refused to supply the password to her, so she can't get it to me.

 

[Muncher]

So, wait, when you bought it, was it already locked? If so, the seller should have at least given you a fresh install of OS X with the iMac. You needed to ask for this.

If it wasn't locked, and you locked it, go buy leopard, upgrade, do a fresh install, and lose the password. Kill three birds with one stone.

EDIT: Why would you want their software?

 

[rmal]

no it is not locked. It's running fine, but I can't upgrade software without the user's password.

I did not get any CD's when I bought it. I bought it from a friend after her messy divorce and her x won't disclose the password or give her the cd's.

So, I need to buy a new version of leapord.

my question is, if I do a fresh install will I lose all the other software on the computer? It has the microsoft office and acrobat - both programs I use alot and don't wish to re-purchase.

if i buy a new version of leapord will it simply allow me to re-set the password and not completely wipe all the other software?

thanks for the help.

 

[Consultant]

If you did not buy the software license, you cannot keep the software. How can you "re-purchase" something you did not buy? So what would you think if your employer would just say, oh I am not going to pay you for the work because I already got a copy from you.

Your story is a bit fishy.

Divorce = court orders, I doubt that the court would let the wife have something without the wife mentioning that the password is not reset. So if she obtained it legally, she would have the password. The other option is that it's obtained illegally.

 

[rmal]

the re-purchase included the machine and all the software. not uncommon in the real world.

divorce courts may deal with such minutia, but she did not have the foresight to request it and wants to put the sad affair behind her.

i am not an attorney (but apparently neither are you). i assumed that software license travel with the the devise which is why you license "seats" or users in multi-pack software. you don't license individuals. ip exists in many devises that travel from user to user. acceptance of the terms of use imply that as well. software is not licensed to individuals.

apparently, your concern for software ownership would not be an issue if the original cd's went with the machine?

there are limitless possible options for this situation. your amateur sleuth observations aside, thanks for your enlightened response. stick to useful consulting, if capable.