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Single User Mode PW Reset: 10.7 Lion

nelz886

nelz886

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 23, 2010
55
0
New Jersey
Previously in 10.5/10.6 to reset a user's password in single-user mode one would have to type this:
Code: 
mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
dscl . passwd /Users/SHORTNAMEGOESHERE newpasswordhere

Nice, but this doesn't work in 10.7 Lion. In addition, you are prevented from changing the root password in single-user mode.

Do this in 10.7 Lion; boot into single-user mode and type:
Code: 
mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectoryd.plist
^ after typing this, you may now use 'passwd root' to change the root password

Now you can continue reseting the user's password:
Code: 
dscl . passwd /Users/bob bobsnewpassword

** You may see an error message that states com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist cannot be found; ignore this in Lion.
 
Last edited:
M

macmba

macrumors member
Aug 10, 2011
39
0
Actually... you can just:

mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
passwd <username>

It works.
 
nelz886

nelz886

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 23, 2010
55
0
New Jersey
macmba said:
Actually... you can just:

mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
passwd <username>

It works.
Click to expand...

This works in Snow Leopard, not in Lion. com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist was removed in Lion
 
M

mrapplegate

macrumors 68030
Feb 26, 2011
2,818
8
Cincinnati, OH
Try this. Read the comments for added suggestions.


http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20110727063028750


Apple has removed the utility to reset a password and restore a user's folder permissions from the Recovery HD. If you need it, you have to open Terminal (from the Recovery HD Utility menu) and type:

resetpassword

Then the old Reset Password application opens.

By the way the old hint to reset a user password by booting in single user mode is no longer working: the file /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist no longer exists.
 
D

dvot

macrumors newbie
Sep 11, 2001
3
0
problems

@ nelz886

I followed your instructions, but I get the following error message after entering new root password (repeated twice), "Could not verify credentials because the directory server does not support the requested authentication method"

Any other tips?
 
Last edited:
F

fernandojulian

macrumors newbie
Feb 12, 2014
1
0
[solved]

My friends i used:



mount -uw /
launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist
dscl . passwd /Users/SHORTNAMEGOESHERE newpasswordhere
su <user>
passwd <user>
old Pass:<same a new>
new pass: <same a old>
retype: <same a old>

and ok ! jejejeje
 
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