OS X Password Recovery Discussion
My post on Mac OS X Password Recovery that I made almost a year ago continues to get comments today. It’s a fairly common issue. Since it has reached 126 comments (and the page is getting long), I’ve decided to close comments. You can continue discussion by leaving a comment here.
Hey Mikez007,
Do you think this would work on a MacBook? If anyone has tried this on a MacBook, please let me know!
Thank you,
-Talk2theis
To let everyone know, I tried it on my MacBook and the command S option has been disabled. Does anyone know what the new command is to acces the boot screen?
Any help is great!
Thank you,
-Talk2theis
Hi,
I just found the following under
http://www.rit.edu/~wwwits/services/desktop_support/mac/xforcenewadminacccount.html
It worked perfectly for me (after trying all the other hints) on a G3 Clamshell Ibook wit OS X 10.3.9.
1. Restart the computer in Mac OS X single user mode by holding Command-S at startup.
2. Mount the computer’s drive for read/write access. To do so, type the following command at the command prompt, and then press Enter:
% mount -uw /
3. Remove the file that identifies that the initial run of the “Mac OS X Setup Assistant” has been completed, with this command at the command prompt, followed by Enter:
% rm /var/db/.applesetupdone
4. Restart the computer by entering this command, followed by Enter.
% reboot
5. The Mac OS X Setup Assistant screen should appear after the reboot, just as it does when you start up a brand new computer or upgrade to a new version of Mac OS X.
6. Create a new user account with the Setup Assistant. Be sure to name this user something different than the admin user that already exists on the system, and use a strong password (see Mac OS X password tips). At the end of the Setup Assistant process, the system will automatically log into this new user account. The account will have a unique ID (UID) that is one higher than the last user that was on the system, and will have all administration privileges.
We strongly recommend that you delete the new administrator account in the System Preferences application, once you have done what you need to do with it and it is no longer needed.
I can reset your master password for you, and your root password in a simpler way then what elliot is suggesting. All you need is access through an ssh protocol. Once in, simply type “$sudo passwd root” Enter the original password and hit enter. Type your new password and your done. For information on reseting the Master password, e-mail me at [email protected]
Mac_Hack Corporation
I HAVE RAN ALL THE COMMANDS TO RESET THE ROOT PASSWD BUT WHEN IT PROMPTS ME TO TYPE THE NEW ONE NONE OF THE KEYS WILL WORK EXECPT THE ENTER KEY . I NEEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW . OH! I HAVE A MAC OS X 10.3.9 PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks to the code provided. I created a new account but lost my most important files (pics and days worth of music) I am really bummed because there is no warning about this happening. very disappointed
Blck_hwk:
Don’t panic.
Your files are probably still there on your computer. You need to access them under the same username that you created them under. Or as Admin.
you are the king. all hail the king. i caouldnt do this for like 3 days. thanks a bunch
hi, plz help, g3 powerbook. lost password, wont do anything that ive tried, command s wont let me in :(
I have an ibook and the command-S is disabled i need some help I have lost my admin password and admin name cus I bought the computer used i have no start up dick
HELP
MIKE, LUTI, CHRIS…THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH!!!
My macbook is password free! Thanks to all of you guys on here with you wonderful posts….
Thanka bunch guys
Thanks Rosa! Your way is hte only way it works on my Macbook!
I.e.:
0) Restart…
1) Hit Apple & S buttons at boot.
2) “sh /etc/rc†— this command is suggested by MacOS X itself to start important system services but stay in single-user mode.
3) “niutil -list . /users†— find out my user’s name if I was ignorant not to see it before the reboot.
4) “passwd my_nameâ€.
5) “rebootâ€.
I reposted so you know what I’m talking about.
-Richard
Mike007 and Elliot and especially Luti :
Thank you all for giving up the right information on my first try at getting a new administrator password setup. IT WORKS:
I have OS X 10.3.5.
Great advise.
Richard
Hey HANNAHBANNANA, the reason you can’t type anything at the password prompt is because the things you are typing are INVISIBLE. When it asks you for your admin password, just type it just like you normally would and hit enter. IT does this for security reasons. It had me baffled as well.
There is no command button on my Ibook.
i started it up then i put the codes in then i put passwd [username] then enter then all it says is “location may be a domain name or server/tag” and some other stuff then it says localhostL:/ root# and then idk what to do plz help
humble.life, your iBook probably has a command key, but you might not recognize it. It’s also called the Apple key (it doesn’t actually say Command on it, but that’s what it’s called). Wikipedia article.
Hi Guys,
I’ve done what Mikez and Luty said and it has worked successfully a few times but just today i did it on another machine and it got stuck at bluescreen between the bootpanel and login window. I’ve tried a few things online but have with now success. Can someone help??????
Thanx in advance……
I reset the password with no prbs on a McBook – thanks! Where do I look for the files that used to be on my desktop?
I LOVE YOU MIKE, I LOVE YOU LUTI!!!!
YOU ARE GENIOUS!
LUTI, I LOVED YOUR EASY EXPLAINATION….
YOU SAVED MY LIFE!
THANKS YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH………..
whats reboot mean… ??? thanks shelley i got as far ast that and was lost …. trying to reset my pasword ona g3 ..
i have a macbook and evry thing works but when i put in rw /var/db/.applesetupdone it says overide i nedd help pleaze
i have a eMac OS X
ive tried mikes and luti way.. but blue screen… please please please help a old dogg learn new tricks
apachi server… keeps rollin up,,, i have no idea
did anyone figure out how to reset my password for a mac os x 10.3.9, iBook 4. plz anyone, help me out