Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac newbie, now locked out of OS X due to PW problem

E

EvilHorace

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 3, 2003
20
0
Milwaukee, Wi
I buy a used G4 which was reformated and has newly loaded OSs, OS 9 and OS X. OS X needed to have its setup finalized so when I booted into it, I finished answering the questions, added my usual password and registered it in my name. I then go online and it finds upgrades but my password is required yet the one I added isn't recognized (doesn't work). I contacted the seller of the used computer just to ask him if (by chance) he added any other passwords and he did (at some point) yet that one doesn't work either. He then suggested that I:

(quote) "check in the System Preferences -go to System - Accounts. Only you should be listed
there. Try unchecking the automatic log-in check box,
go to the Apple menu, and log out - then re-log in
using your user name and password" (end quote).

I should have first created another user and password (in retrospect) but I didn't and now with the "auto log-in box" unchecked, it wants my password to begin OS X BUT (as before), MY only PW doesn't work nor does his or any others I use on my other 4 PCs here in Windows 2000. In Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you're not getting past the PW screen w/o the PW so I'm thinking that now with OS X, I'm screwed w/o the OS setup disc (which I don't own either btw).

I don't know why my chosen PW won't work (tryed with/without caps just in case that was on before) yet I'm locked out.
Any suggestions?
 
Re: Mac newbie, now locked out of OS X due to PW problem

Originally posted by EvilHorace
I should have first created another user and password (in retrospect) but I didn't and now with the "auto log-in box" unchecked, it wants my password to begin OS X BUT (as before), MY only PW doesn't work nor does his or any others I use on my other 4 PCs here in Windows 2000. In Windows 2000 or Windows XP, you're not getting past the PW screen w/o the PW so I'm thinking that now with OS X, I'm screwed w/o the OS setup disc (which I don't own either btw).

I don't know why my chosen PW won't work (tryed with/without caps just in case that was on before) yet I'm locked out.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Do you have the Mac OS X Install Disc? Boot it and there should be an option to recover root password or something similar in the menus.

arn
 
try one of the Mac OS X disks you got with the comp or just get one off of someone else. That's basically the only way to reset a password.
 
Only has me as the one and only user. I'm thinking that my only solution is to buy a copy of OS X :(
Have no idea why my PW won't work. I've even tryed making next key typos in the odd event that I mistyped it (twice) although highly unlikely.
 
Originally posted by EvilHorace
Only has me as the one and only user. I'm thinking that my only solution is to buy a copy of OS X :(
Have no idea why my PW won't work. I've even tryed making next key typos in the odd event that I mistyped it (twice) although highly unlikely.
Click to expand...

hmm... so sounds like a simple Password problem.

A retail (bootable) copy of Mac OS X should be able to get around it. Here's a shot in the dark... though you might mess things up too....

try booting into OS 9.
Open HardDrive -> Library -> Preferences -> com.apple.loginwindow.plist in a text editor

and add the following to the stuff between <dict> and </dict>

<key>autoLoginUser</key>
<string>YOURUSERNAME</string>

Save, and reboot into X.

arn
 
I don't know how to boot it into OS 9 now. I was told that I'd see a choice of OSs if I hold the Options (alt) key while re-booting but I'm not getting any choices. It only wants to start OS X now with its PW screen.
 
Originally posted by EvilHorace
I don't know how to boot it into OS 9 now. I was told that I'd see a choice of OSs if I hold the Options (alt) key while re-booting but I'm not getting any choices. It only wants to start OS X now with its PW screen.
Click to expand...

try holding "9" down when booting.

I may be way off. :) but that's a faint memory somewhere...

arn
 
Boot in OS 9

I think the only way (that works for me, anyway) to boot into OS 9 is to actually select it from the OS 10 'Preferences' -> 'Startup disk'. If that doesn't list OS 9, then it's not on the machine. You'd have to boot from a OS 9 CD.

I tried the holding Option key, but there's something strange with my video card...I never get the screen, just a monitor signal saying it's out of range.
 
I'm new to how Apple licenses things, but shouldn't this guy have a copy of the OSX CD if it's legally on his computer?

I realize he bought it used, but that doesn't make it legal.

Call me suspicious, but this could easily be someone who has stolen a Mac and now wants to twart the password efforts of the rightful owner.

It's possible that he's telling the truth, but in Windows land, if you don't have the CD it generally isn't a legal copy. I'm all for helping those in need of help and sharing knowledge, but something about this situation isn't sitting right with me.
 
Well, I would give people the benefit of the doubt, and as he said he bought it used.

Seeing as you have the video card driver low power during boot not giving you the screen syndrome, your only chance is the OS X CD. Why not ask the original owner to borrow it to fix the problem. If not you may have to buy OS X to get the CD.
 
Everything's legit and the guy who sold me the Mac burned me both OSs and sent them to me today. He seems like a nice guy. If he wouldn't do that for me, I was prepared to buy the discs off Ebay and was watching several bids on them but now I won't have to.
I have copies of every Windows OS since Win95 (some came with PCs, some store bought, 2 burned from friends) so it's no big deal really.
 
Originally posted by EvilHorace
Everything's legit and the guy who sold me the Mac burned me both OSs and sent them to me today. He seems like a nice guy. If he wouldn't do that for me, I was prepared to buy the discs off Ebay and was watching several bids on them but now I won't have to.
I have copies of every Windows OS since Win95 (some came with PCs, some store bought, 2 burned from friends) so it's no big deal really.
Click to expand...

oooohhhhh! software pirating is against the law!!! :D

Who ever came up with the idea of having a legit copy of the OS for every computer people want to install it on? :rolleyes:
 
Update:

it's alive, it's ALIVE, IT'S ALIVE!!! :)

Tonight, the guy who sold me the computer sends me another e-mail "try this pw ........" and sure enough, it worked!

I'll still be happy to have the OS discs however as there's always occasions when one needs it, like a virus, SW or HW upgrade that doesn't go quite as planned, etc, etc.
 
hey here is a hint. change the rooot password.

do not ask me how. i can tell you but it is a bit long and it is 11:39PM in aus so my lil fingers are tired.

good night and good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back