So I forgot my password today, and I didn't have my install CDs, and, really needing my computer, I decided to figure out how to fix it all on my own.
Basically you create another admin account, which really is far too easy to do, but here we go:
(Remove all quotes before typing the commands I put here)
1) Start up in Single-User mode by holding Apple+S at startup...the screen will go black and be covered in white text.
2) Type "/sbin/fsck -y", hit return, then type "/sbin/mount -wu /"
3) Once you have the prompt again type "cd /var/db/"
4) The prompt will change slightly. Then type "ls" and verify that somewhere in the table of items there is the file: ".AppleSetupDone"
5) Making sure that this file is there, then you can delete it by typing "rm ./.AppleSetupDone" or move it to the root of your hard drive for safekeeping by typing "mv ./.AppleSetupDone /"
6) Once it is no longer in place, type "reboot" and the computer will restart...and the first-run video will play and prompt you to register. You don't have to fill any of this in, you can just press Apple+Q, confirm the dialog, and you'll be presented with a page where you set up a new admin account. Put in whatever you want, log in, and you can change the password on your main account.
If you're ever in a fix, being able to do this can be very helpful.
Basically you create another admin account, which really is far too easy to do, but here we go:
(Remove all quotes before typing the commands I put here)
1) Start up in Single-User mode by holding Apple+S at startup...the screen will go black and be covered in white text.
2) Type "/sbin/fsck -y", hit return, then type "/sbin/mount -wu /"
3) Once you have the prompt again type "cd /var/db/"
4) The prompt will change slightly. Then type "ls" and verify that somewhere in the table of items there is the file: ".AppleSetupDone"
5) Making sure that this file is there, then you can delete it by typing "rm ./.AppleSetupDone" or move it to the root of your hard drive for safekeeping by typing "mv ./.AppleSetupDone /"
6) Once it is no longer in place, type "reboot" and the computer will restart...and the first-run video will play and prompt you to register. You don't have to fill any of this in, you can just press Apple+Q, confirm the dialog, and you'll be presented with a page where you set up a new admin account. Put in whatever you want, log in, and you can change the password on your main account.
If you're ever in a fix, being able to do this can be very helpful.